Networking and External USB HardDrives?

[Lazy Senior]

I have 2 computers on a Win XP network. 1 desktop with 250 gb storage
and 1 laptop. I share the 250gb drive with the laptop.

I need to expand my storage. Can I attach an external USB hardrive to
the desktop and share it like I am doing with the internal drive? Will
it work the same as the internal drive ie- will I be able to use windows
explorer on it to manipulate files?

I have seen hardrives that attach to the ethernet port. Any advantage to
these over the USB Hardrives?

Thanks
Lazy Senior

 

[Jim]

I have 2 computers on a Win XP network. 1 desktop with 250 gb storage
and 1 laptop. I share the 250gb drive with the laptop.

I need to expand my storage. Can I attach an external USB hardrive to
the desktop and share it like I am doing with the internal drive?
Yes,

Will
it work the same as the internal drive ie- will I be able to use windows
explorer on it to manipulate files?

Yes.

I have seen hardrives that attach to the ethernet port. Any advantage to
these over the USB Hardrives?

These are network storage devices, which can be a little more convenient.
They are accessible to any PC or laptop on the network without needing the
support of a PC. It's simply patched into your network switch/router (and
depending on model, may require some client software). In contrast, when
you use an external USB enclosure, the PC must always be running, and of
course, the unit must be on as well. Network accessible storage is
typically MUCH more expensive as well.

If you intend to keep the additional storage available for extended periods
of time, or even 24/7, you're probably better off just adding another HD to
your PC. One of the problems w/ a USB external HD is that it's somewhat
unknown how reliable the HD will remain within the confines of these
enclosures, this is relatively new and uncharted territory. Some have fans,
some don't, and some don't vent all that well. They work best when you only
need to bring them online for brief periods of time, for example, to use as
a backup drive. But running for long periods of time *might* shorten the
lifetime of your HD. And those enclosures w/ a fan are not always that
quiet, it might get annoying over time. Your PC probably has better
ventilation. So I recommend thinking carefully about how you intend to use
this storage before committing to internal or external additions.

Then there's the warranty. Most pre-built external USB enclosures are 1 yr
warranty. But you can build your own by purchasing the enclosure only, then
buying a HD. For example, I picked up an Argosy HD-360C (USB+Firewire) for
$35 @ Dealsonic.com, then purchased a Seagate 300GB HD from Fry's/Outpost
for <$100 (after rebate). The Seagate has a 5 yr warranty! By building my
own, I saved a some money and added FOUR years to my HD warranty.

Oh, and one more thing, if you decide to use external storage, it's worth it
to get a firewire interface, or at least usb+firewire. Firewire is
invariably much faster than USB, perhaps 30-50% in some cases. It's well
worth the extra $10-15 bucks to get firewire (assuming you have firewire
ports, of course).

Jim

 

[Lazy Senior]

Oh, and one more thing, if you decide to use external storage, it's worth it
to get a firewire interface, or at least usb+firewire. Firewire is
invariably much faster than USB, perhaps 30-50% in some cases. It's well
worth the extra $10-15 bucks to get firewire (assuming you have firewire
ports, of course).

Jim

Jim
Thank you for some excellent information, I have been searching for
exactly what you told me.

I have a firewire port on both computers, but thought USB would be
faster for a hardrive? Using a internal hardrive is not possible as I
already have 2 hardrives in my desktop.

I travel sometimes with the laptop, will I be able to disconnect an
external USB or Firewire drive from the desktop computer and attach it
to the laptop when I travel and expect it to work ok?

This is the main reason I havent looked into the ethernet attached HD's.

I have seen the USB HD enclosures (without the HD - you supply your
own). Would this be a better way to go vs a USB External HD ready to
use? Cost wise it seems even.

Again thanks for you very usefull reply, I appreciate it.

Lazy Senior

 

[Jim]

Jim
Thank you for some excellent information, I have been searching for
exactly what you told me.

I have a firewire port on both computers, but thought USB would be
faster for a hardrive? Using a internal hardrive is not possible as I
already have 2 hardrives in my desktop.

Your typical HD is FASTER than the USB interface, at least for these
purposes. Whereas an internal HD on your PC might deliver 30-35MB/sec
(IDE/PATA), that same HD when placed inside a USB external HD enclosure
might drop back to roughly 23-25MB/sec. The bottleneck is the USB
interface, not the HD. And some USB chipsets used by the enclosure are
better than others (i.e., slightly more efficient). That's why I recommend
strongly AT LEAST getting the combo USB+Firewire interface. When used at
home, you can use the firewire ports on the PC. When on the road, you use
the USB interface (assuming your laptop doesn't have firewire). Having BOTH
interfaces gives you more flexibility and performance, and usually only for
a few bucks more.

As far as already having 2 HDs on your desktop, I'm not sure whether you're
saying you don't have any more IDE ports, OR, just don't have any place to
mount one. The reason I bring it up is, if it's a matter of not having any
more IDE ports, it's a trivial exercise to ADD a Promise Ultra100 (or
Ultra66) PCI Controller Card to your PC, which can add more IDE ports, and
permit the addition of FOUR (4) more IDE HDs. This card can be had on eBay
for as little as $20-30, and there's usally TONS of them for sale at any
given time. If it's a matter of not having the space to mount additional
HDs, well..., nothing I can do about that.

Of course, if you need it @ home and on the road, then external storage does
seem more appropriate.

I travel sometimes with the laptop, will I be able to disconnect an
external USB or Firewire drive from the desktop computer and attach it
to the laptop when I travel and expect it to work ok?

Yes, as long as your laptop has the appropriate USB and/or Firewire port,
you just plug it in and XP will detect it, install drivers, and you're in
business. Nothing all that complicated.

This is the main reason I havent looked into the ethernet attached HD's.

Hmm..., well as long as you have an ethernet port, a network storage device
would still work, even w/ the laptop. Doesn't *have* to be a switch. It's
just like hooking up two laptops together, you simply attach a crossover
cable between the network storage device and your laptop's ethernet port.
In theory, if it was gigabit ethernet (i.e., 1000mbps) for the storage's
network adapter and your laptop ethernet adapter, you'd have the best
performance link possible (out-performaing both USB (480mbps) and Firewire
(400mbps))! Btw, some of these network storage devices support ethernet AND
USB/Firewire, so you can use ethernet at home, for example, and USB on the
road. Here's a couple of Ximeta units, just to illustrate:

This one comes w/ a HD (comes in several sizes, your choice)
http://www.ximeta.com/products/network_drives/netdisk/index.php

This one is just the enclosure, you supply your own HD
http://www.ximeta.com/products/network_drives/netdisk_enclosure/index.php

Notice that if you choose the first one, you get only a 1 yr warranty. If
you choose the second one (enclosure only), you provide any HD you want, so
then you can perhaps get a nice Seagate model w/ 5 yr warranty
Outpost.com has had the Seagate 300GB for <$100 (after rebate) on and off
for the past few weeks. Plenty of other HD deals to be had as well.

I have seen the USB HD enclosures (without the HD - you supply your
own). Would this be a better way to go vs a USB External HD ready to
use? Cost wise it seems even.

When the USB external HD enclosures first hit the market, they were
outrageously priced, just ridiculous. Since then, they have come down a
lot, but perhaps not as much as I would like to convince me NOT to roll my
own. But they are convenient, just unpack the unit, plug in the power
supply, connect the interface cable, and you're ready to go. But frankly,
building your own is ridiculously simple, these enclosures are little more
than a container with a IDE controller (or SATA if that's your preference),
You simply connect the enclosure's IDE cable to the IDE port of the HD,
attached the molex power plug, connect the pin for the LED/Power light, and
close the enclosure w/ some screws. It's about as easy an install as you'll
ever see for a PC component. But again, for some ppl, they just don't want
to be bothered, they'd rather buy a prebuilt unit and be done with it. It's
up to you.

The ***BIG*** advantage of rolling your own is that warranty! I've never
seen a prebuilt unit w/ more than 1 yr. But you can get Seagate HDs w/ 5 yr
warranties. For my money, and given the simplicity of building your own,
it's a no brainer, I'll roll my own every time if only to get that HD
warranty protection. The only other option might be to buy a buyer
protection plan from the retailer, if offered (not something I usually
recommend, but it is an option).

Jim

 

[Lazy Senior]

The ***BIG*** advantage of rolling your own is that warranty! I've never
seen a prebuilt unit w/ more than 1 yr. But you can get Seagate HDs w/ 5 yr
warranties. For my money, and given the simplicity of building your own,
it's a no brainer, I'll roll my own every time if only to get that HD
warranty protection. The only other option might be to buy a buyer
protection plan from the retailer, if offered (not something I usually
recommend, but it is an option).

Jim

This is something I hadnt considered and I didnt know Seagate had 5 year
warrantys. Making your own seems to be the way to go with a Seagate HD.

Thank you
Lazy Senior