On Fri, Feb 8, 2008 at 9:48 PM, Apptech wrote: > I want to add numerous SATA drives to a LAN. > 8 would do, more would be good. This is by definition a > "server" requirement but lacks most of the rigour associated > with the term. Aspects such as backup, mirroring etc need > not be addressed here. > > "All that is required" is to be able to read and, less > often, write files at "an acceptable speed". ie not stupidly > slower than if on a typical PC. Application is mainly access > to photos. Files are typically in the 1 MB-3MB range but > there MAY be a Quantum leap for new files to 10MB+ each. > (RAW rather than JPG). > > Drives are typically 300 GB range but newer one will be 500 > MB and maybe 1 TB soon. Optimum $/GB is about at 500 GB > point. . (2TB are on the market but too dear yet) > > Longer term this will probably become a more orderly > arrangement of fewer larger drives. > > QUESTION: > > Best cheap way to do this? > > I've been using the western digital "elements" USB drives as near online storage. They spin down on their own which is important for me from a sound/heat/energy consumption pov So I can stack them up and not need fans so long as I know my access pattern is fairly light. 7s to spin up 0.7s to copy off a 10MB file 14s to copy off a 300MB file spin down after 20mins or so of idle I usually plonk avi's or whatever on them and then they sit there doing nothing for ages. When I need to get them off or burn to dvd the access speed has not been a problem. In my experience, drives will always end up running very hot if you shove them in a usb enclosure and run them 24/7. Don't forget to add up the costs for cabling/enclosures etc when you are working out the best bang for buck. my first 500GB elements drive was AU$195. Now they are down to AU$155 -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist