Setting up a NAS using an old P3 PC

**dvsadvocate** · 10-27-2006, 06:02 PM

Help network gurus! I am using my Macbook to edit my videos right now. I usually use firewire external enclosures to store my videos. But its getting to be a pain in the butt to switch from one enclosure to another. I know NAS can be the solution but I dont know how to make it work. Ive got about 4-5 hard drives that I can put into an old Pentium 3 550Mhz with 256MB SDRAM, will that be enough to create a NAS server using my Linksys WRT54G Router? If I set this thing up right, my old editing PC would also definitely benefit from it. Hope someone out there can help me with it...for free! If I had the dough, I wouldve just bought a NAS drive!

**Sponsor** · 10-27-2006 06:02 PM

**gan** · 10-27-2006, 07:24 PM

the easiest way is to install any version of windows, XP if possible (most likely too), the OS will be enough, then set up HOME NETWORKING and SHARE all your drives. This will now be visible in your network (wired/wireless).

This is what I have at home, a PIII equivalent with only 128MB RAM, it serves as my download box and NAS at the same time. Connects with my main PC thru a KVM switch.

**dvsadvocate** · 10-27-2006, 08:27 PM

Duh! Earth to me! I never thought it would be that simple! Thanks Gan! I probably got caught up with the idea of a NAS server too much! Ill make that my number one option. But if there are any more ideas out there, id gladly consider them.

**King** · 10-27-2006, 10:34 PM

I'd use Linux!

**dvsadvocate** · 10-27-2006, 10:54 PM

Why would you use Linux? Will it give better performance? I really need to get the best performance I can get. Ive already set up my cables using Belkin CAT6. I guess I need a Gigabit hub to make it scream.

**mikeygar** · 10-27-2006, 11:04 PM

CAT6 won't matter if your bottleneck will be your WRT54 g's maximum wifi transfer rate of 55 mbps. You're better off being wired directly to it along with your P3 box, unless that's your plan to begin with

**dvsadvocate** · 10-27-2006, 11:45 PM

Yeah, I plan to get it wired directly. I just use the wifi when surfing in my room. But for the serious video editing stuff, I definitely need it. Basically what I need is a centralized storage network system. I think its called a SAN or Storage Area network if im not mistaken. Since I find it hard to switch from one drive to another, I need to have all of my storage drive in a centralized location so if ever Im going to add another workstation, I can just access all of the files via the network.

Or is this idea too primitive for my needs? Since I have to edit video and render to QT or MPEG2. Will it be slow?

**mikeygar** · 10-28-2006, 09:39 AM

nope, not primitive at all, all SAN and NAS does is put an expensive price tag on the term "shared storage"

Best setup - which is what we do in our office is get a gigabit ethernet hub, since we use Powermacs (with built in gigabit ethernet), connect to shared drives on PCs with a gigabit ethernet adapter as well. Make sure to run the gigabit ethernet card on the PC as full duplex (as long as your hub can handle it).

Loads of improvement compared to full duplex ethernet. Check out linksys, they've got decently priced gigabit ethernet hubs. If you're not willing to go gigabit ethernet, your WRT54g should suffice, but gigabit ethernet is supposed to be 10x faster

**dvsadvocate** · 10-28-2006, 11:18 AM

Haha! Thanks mikeygar. I guess your setup is similar to what Gan explained before, only you guys use Gigabit! I guess thats the best way of doing it. Thanks for your inputs!

**gan** · 10-28-2006, 08:06 PM

One of my boxes is using UBUNTU, I didn't use it as an example simply because I am not that familiar with LINUX and making it talk with the network is still work in progress for me.

Me too, I placed all my media files in one location, like dvsadvocate, whenever (if ever) i change my system, the files are still intact.

Good luck dude