Home/Office setup...

[James]

Looking for some advice on re-organizing my home/office setup.

 

A bit of background... I currently do most of my work from home on a C2D Macbook Pro (2.33). When I'm at home it sits on a Griffin Elevator, plugged into a Belkin USB/Firewire hub, with an external keyboard & mouse. I do most of my work in XP through Boot Camp & switch between Windows & OSX as the need arises. I only install applications on the Windows partition & keep all project information on the OSX side (using Macdrive to access them when in Windows). As far as backups go, I have an external Lacie Rugged FW drive that I use with SuperDuper to create a copy of the OSX partition every week. I also use an AEBS for broadband/wireless networking.

 

I'm in the middle of refurbishing a room that I can finally call an office. I've been thinking about giving my setup an overhaul (I'll be adding a second workstation when I move in).

 

Recently I've noticed that both partitions on the MBP are getting kinda full. I'd always anticipated moving all my data from the OSX partition to the 'backup' FW drive, then hooking up a NAS device to the AEBS for incremental backups. I'd also like to move my email & itunes so I can access them from any computer on the network. Essentially, I'd like to 'centralize' as much data as possible & free up as much space as I can on the MBP.

 

Basically, my question boils down to whether a NAS would be sufficient for my needs, or if I need to think about using another PC as a server?

 

Anybody any advice for a Home/Small Business setup?

 

Cheers,

 

James.

[bmcgonigle]

Yes, the NAS would be a good solution for you in regards to storage and file access from multiple locations on a network so long as your not looking for any type of software functionality from the NAS itself.

[shaneis]

If it were me, I'd get both a new workstation and a NAS. Install Windows onto your workstation for your 3D/ 2D apps and leave it off-line. Empty all your data from your MacBook onto the NAS and use the MacBook for your mail/web/accounts/iTunes/personal data. Keep only your work-related data on the NAS, and have it set with RAID 1. Back-up all your projects from the PC workstation to the NAS - with the RAID 1, it's now backed-up twice. Back-up your email/accounts to your NAS also. Get a UPS to protectyour hardware.

 

As I said, that's what I would do. Hope all goes well in your new home office.

[James]

Thanks guys,

 

The workstation purchase is a bit further down the line. For now, though, I'll be looking at getting the NAS device within the next few weeks. One with Raid 1 would be ideal as you suggested... any recommendations?

 

Shane, I see your point about using two separate computers (laptop & workstation) for separate activities... but for the near future it'll be just the Macbook Pro I'll be using. I have to go on the road occassionally & it suits my needs as a 'mobile' workstation. As I said, I've reached the point where I need to move project data, emails, iTunes, etc. off the laptop to an external location. My thoughts were to use the external drive exclusively for project data (it would still be useful to bring the external drive with me when I'm on the road) & the NAS for incremental backups... eventually, when I get the new workstation, I'd like to have everything on the NAS so that both laptop & workstation could access project files.

 

A couple of questions though...

 

How easy is it to setup the NAS for use with iTunes? I've come across some NAS devices that boast functionality as an itunes server, but I'm really at my limit here when it comes to understanding the differences. Does the NAS need this extra function?

 

I'm using Outlook 2003 for email (Small Business Edition) with an IMAP account... is it possible to have new mail delivered to the NAS, or should I keep my mail folder on my laptop & only move/archive mail to the NAS when emails are dealt with? The first option would probably run into problems when I'm not connected to the network, but would I still be able to access my mail on the NAS once its been archived?

[bmcgonigle]

I'm not familiar with running iTunes from a NAS unit. Seeing as it doesn't have any real software functionality I would guess there's some sort of program/hack which can be used to do what your looking for. I've just used the NAS for storage/backup reasons.

 

As for your email, the NAS would run as the archive vault for outlook. Just change the archive location mapping to the NAS drive.

 

Another option that you may be interested in for mobile file accessing is an offsite backup service. One that I like personally is Mozy.com. Its free option gives you up to 2gb of offsite backup and allows for you to schedule automatic backups of specific files & folders. Then when on the road you can access the files from anywhere at anytime without lugging the extra hardware of the NAS. Something to consider.

[shaneis]

Without reading bmcgonigle's post, I'd recommend looking at the Netgear SC101 and the later version, the Netgear 101T. I'm, not plugging those devices, but they (and similar products) would be a fair option. They're able to "manage" your iTunes folders along with (some set up) your mail etc. NAS has long been a domain networks pupppy, but now is an option for the SOHO user. As with all things PC, have a read and gooogle it for a solution.

 

Benefits may be that you can leave your other PC to do the distribution work while you're globe-trotting, then when you get back home, update the MacBook with the relevant lists (iTunes and the likes).

 

To avoid rabbling, I'll stop now.

 

S.