Home Server/NAS for Backup

[Toolman55]

Hello,

First, If I have the wrong forum please move it.

I am interested in building a home server/NAS for back ups for my files, pictures, etc.

Could someone give me a heads up on what, if any, specific hardware or software requirements are needed?

Thank you.
Don

[Steve R Jones]

How many computers are on the network and approx how many gigs of data?

[Toolman55]

2 desktops, 1 laptop. 20 gbs? Give or take. But I have 2 grandchildren under 3 and the pictures seem to multiply exponentially

I have just had a second meltdown in the last 5 years. I need a serious, easy backup protocol.

Thanks again,

[SuperSparks]

Were you looking specifically at Windows Home Server?

[Toolman55]

I had no specifics in mind. I did not know which direction I should take.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Don

[Train]

I have a slightly older computer in which I added a ATA 133 card with 2 hdds of 300 GB each.

I allow access to the 2 large hdds but not C: drive. That allows me to back up anything to those drives from my other computers. Copy paste works good.

Just picked up a 750 GB onetouch for $100, yes, brand new and backed up about 90 GB of " family photos" in a couple hours.
For backing up I use:
Data CDs/DVDs
My file server
A couple USB external hdds.

Some CDs/DVDs are scattered all over the U.S. in 18 locations.

In case of disaster all is not lost as one usb hdd and copies of the data disk are off site. May sound extreme, but some heirloom pictures are now impossible to rescan now because of a fire.

[SpywareDr]

If you have an older, but reliable PC laying around and don't need user management, disk quotas or the ability to join domains: NASLite-2 $29.95
http://www.serverelements.com/naslite-2-usb.php

NASLite-2 is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) Server Operating System designed to transform a basic computer into a dedicated SMB/CIFS, NFS, AFP, FTP, HTTP and RSYNC file server.

NASLite-2 boots from a variety of IDE, SATA SCSI, USB, FireWire or Hardware RAID devices and is intended for use in any application that requires the simultaneous availability of large amounts of fast and inexpensive networked storage. A single NASLite-2 server is capable of exporting terabytes of networked storage and can handle hundreds of networked users easily and efficiently, even when running on modest hardware.

Basic requirements are:

* Pentium or better processor
* PCI bus
* 64M or more of RAM
* 1 or more fixed disk drives
* PCI or on-board network interface adapter

NASLite-2 boots directly into RAM where it runs in a modestly sized 8MB RAM-Disk.

[Toolman55]

I apologize for my delay in getting back to you. Family matters.

Thank you all for your suggestions. It looks like I can take just about any tack I feel works best. I have ordered Acronis v11 along with my new HDD. I definately needed some help with an automated back up software.

I will also look a little more deeply into Windows Home Server & NASLite-2.

Thank you again to everyone. Your help is very much appreciated.
Don

[SuperSparks]

I was going to say that if you were looking at Windows Home Server, there isn't too much point in worrying about the hardware, as you will only be able to get it on a ready-built server. It isn't available as a separate OS at all.

[egdufwollamhsram1851]

Some CDs/DVDs are scattered all over the U.S. in 18 locations.

Any suggested site backups to use?

For photos?
tks

[jdc2000]

Windows Home Server - Software Only

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116550
$95 US