External Storage Help

[illusion_heart]

If data reliability is important, get a dedicated NAS with raid.

I use an iomega ix-200 which has some other benefits like remote access (useful for those jams where you need a document but arent carrying it).

I used it in raid setup for a bit, but realized that most of my collection:
1. isnt that unique, is freely available online and the few hundred gb would need at max a month to download off the internet
2. doesnt get accessed too often and therefore probably doesnt really merit backup in a raid setup.

Noting the above, i moved to a non raid setup and quickly filled the full 2tb i had hyeah:

I picked it up from the US and it worked out to be abt 14k for me.

Also, dont worry too much about throughput and access rates because, if you plug it to your wifi network, the wifi will always be the bottle neck. So just pick up the cheapest system you can get, put it in raid and relax. the chances of two hard discs (even cheap ones) going kaput at the same time is almost 0.

Mate, this seems to be a good suggestion. I can get two 1 TB internal HDD for Rs. 2.7k each. Since i dont know or undertand Raid / NAS, any beginners tips on how do i go about setting up a system.

 

[sivakuru]

@theironhorse

I know you have mentioned earlier that you have contacts in CTC. Any particular shop you recommend where I can get Seagate for 3700?.

Thank you.

 

[psoonee]

Mate, this seems to be a good suggestion. I can get two 1 TB internal HDD for Rs. 2.7k each. Since i dont know or undertand Raid / NAS, any beginners tips on how do i go about setting up a system.

Not sure about DIY raid kits, but the ready made RAID systems run a bit expensive. abt 7k+ for only the system, no hard discs when i checked abt a year back. Your best bet is prolly to search on ebay with Raid as a key word. Maybe even pick up someone selling a used system and since your hard discs are new, reliability wont be too much of an issue.
And for the NAS, best pick up a ready system. Clubbing both together would be complex if you were building it. Just buy any NAS with raid feature. iomega ix-200, netgear ReadyNas or Dlink DNS something... they will each run between 15 - 20k.

 

[theironhorse]

you can go to bhumika computers in CTC cellar.. ask for manish or infact ask any one they know me very well ( aman jain).. just let him know he will give you the best price.

 

[theironhorse]

here is the list buy what you prefer


SLIM / PORTABLE : EXTERNAL - HARD DISK DRIVES --------------------------------------- 23rd October 2010

Make Model Capacity HDD SIZE Adaptor Warranty Int Price
W.D. Passport 250 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 2500
Seagate Expansion 250 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 2375
Seagate Freeagent Go 250 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 5 Yr USB 2525

Make Model Capacity HDD SIZE Adaptor Warranty Int Price
W.D. Passport 320 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 2800
Seagate Expansion 320 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 2725
Seagate Freeagent GO 320 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 5 Yr USB 2900
Seagate Freeagent Go Flex 320 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 2925

Make Model Capacity HDD SIZE Adaptor Warranty Int Price
W.D. Passport 500 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 3500
Seagate Expansion 500 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 3425
Seagate Freeagent GO 500 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 5 Yr USB 3475
Seagate Freeagent Go Flex 500 GB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 3475


Make Model Capacity HDD SIZE Adaptor Warranty Int Price
W.D. Passport 1 TB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 6800
Seagate Freeagent GO 1 TB Pocket NOT REQ. 5 Yr USB 6175
Seagate Freeagent Go Flex 1 TB Pocket NOT REQ. 3 Yr USB 6175


Seagate Go FLEX Concector Firewire Connectivity Pocket - 3 Month Firewire 1950
Seagate Go FLEX Concector USB 3.0 + PCMCIA EXP Pocket - 3 Month USB 3.0 4650
Seagate Go FLEX Concector E-SATA Pocket - 3 Month E-SATA 1900
Seagate Go FLEX Concector USB 3.0 Pocket - 3 Month USB 3.0 1900
WD==> Western Digital ::::: U==> USB F==> Fire Wire eS ==> E Sata L==> Lan ::::



Desktop (3.5") : EXTERNAL - HARD DISK DRIVES --------------------------------------- 23rd October 2010

Make Model Capacity HDD SIZE Adaptor Warranty Int Price
Seagate FreeAgent Desk 500 GB Desktop Yes, Incl. 5 Yr USB 3250
W.D. Essential 1 TB Desktop Yes, Incl. 3 Yr USB 3850
Seagate Expansion 1 TB Desktop Yes, Incl. 2 Yr USB 3500
Seagate FreeAgent Desk 1 TB Desktop Yes, Incl. 5 Yr USB 3875
W.D. Studio 1 TB Desktop Yes, Incl. 3 Yr USB + F/W 6100
Seagate Black Armour 1 TB Desktop Yes, Incl. 3 Yr Lan + USB Expand 8800
Seagate FreeAgent Desk 1.5 TB Desktop Yes, Incl. 5 Yr USB 4975
Seagate FreeAgent Desk 2 TB Desktop Yes, Incl. 5 Yr USB 6300
Seagate FLEX Desktop 1 TB = USB 2.0 Desktop Yes, Incl. 3 Yr USB 3950
Seagate FLEX Desktop 2 TB = USB 2.0 Desktop Yes, Incl. 3 Yr USB 6400
Seagate FLEX Desktop 3 TB = USB 2.0 Desktop Yes, Incl. 3 Yr USB 13500


THESE ARE THE LATEST PRICES AS PER CTC SHEET I GOT .. 50-100 RS+- MIGHT DIFFER..


Seagate FLEX Desk Conector USB 3.0 + PCI Exp. Card Desktop - 3 Month USB 3.0 4650
Seagate FLEX Desk Conector USB 3.0 Connectivity Desktop - 3 Month USB 3.0 1950
Seagate FLEX Desk Conector Firewire Connectivity Desktop - 3 Month Firewire 800 1900

 

[theironhorse]

for raid setup.. on external storage will be typical.. as we will need a casing that supports raid.. and such casing are rarely available and expensive..

another aspect is support they give.. if you pick up the old used ones.. check the max hdd they support.. coz old ones were 2x500.. chk if they support 2x1 TB.. again.. it will be fast.. but the usb bandwidth is limited.. so decide wisely...

 

[GeorgeO]

FYI, internal 2TB prices are now under $100. I was initially looking at the group buy thread but now have decided to get one from the US. I am also opting for a Thermaltake USB docking station which support eSata and USB 2. I can avoid the external case.

 

[GeorgeO]

US$ is now under INR 45, BTW.

 

[theironhorse]

buy any drives however go for seagate.. new WD are prone to failure as per the update.

we would definitely not want to loose 1000s of GB data at one go..

 

[vinay]

I too had the problem of storage etc as my laptops was not having enough space keeping in mind that my each movie is of minimum 4gb file, so now i am having my passports' 500 & 250 GB, while i am having 2 units powered of 1TB (one was gifted by the forum members). I would suggest to go with the market leaders for external hard disk, chances of much lesser hassles.

The reliability factor, as you know no one can say, so the best is to use risk management in form of back-up etc.

V.