Mac network storage
Discussion
)You should be guided by bandwidth. Even n-spec wireless will be stretched by video streaming, and I wouldn't recommend living with the older g-spec.
I found this review of the new base station. It has a USB port and software specifically for networking a USB hard drive. They got a data rate of 86Mbps (so about 10MB per second), but I think the dual-band rules will mean a lower rate in the UK - you have to find a UK speed test, such as MacWorld UK. But if 10MB/s is OK for you, that's the easiest solution:
- New Airport extreme base station.
- Check the airport cards in your machines are n-compatible, or can take the upgrade
- Slap a USB2 hard drive in the back of the base station
- Run the AirPort disk utility to make that hard drive appear on the network.
The primary alternative is gigabit Ethernet (and it must be gigabit, not 10/100). Data rate is a full factor higher and more than comfortable with even hd video. A hub is cheap (£30 or so), but the problems are installing fixed network cabling & ports (the whole wireless-wired argument), and of course making sure there are no bottlenecks in the main routes (unlike the 10/100 ADSL modem-router that blocks part of my network).
A third option, which should work (but don't blame me!), if one machine will be doing the bulk of the media usage, and if that machine has a gigabit Ethernet port (many do). You should be able to plug a gigabit NAS drive straight into that socket, by any length of Cat5 cable. That Mac will gain the maximum bandwidth, for great performance. But the drive should also appear on the network, via that Mac's wireless presence, picking up it's own IP address, and therefore available (at the lower wireless speed) to the second Mac. It should work, but I've never tried it. If it doesn't work, you can alway plug the NAS drive into the new Airport Extreme base station (returning to option 1) instead of a USB-only hard drive, and you've only paid a tenner more for the hard drive than you would have done anyway.
I found this review of the new base station. It has a USB port and software specifically for networking a USB hard drive. They got a data rate of 86Mbps (so about 10MB per second), but I think the dual-band rules will mean a lower rate in the UK - you have to find a UK speed test, such as MacWorld UK. But if 10MB/s is OK for you, that's the easiest solution:
- New Airport extreme base station.
- Check the airport cards in your machines are n-compatible, or can take the upgrade
- Slap a USB2 hard drive in the back of the base station
- Run the AirPort disk utility to make that hard drive appear on the network.
The primary alternative is gigabit Ethernet (and it must be gigabit, not 10/100). Data rate is a full factor higher and more than comfortable with even hd video. A hub is cheap (£30 or so), but the problems are installing fixed network cabling & ports (the whole wireless-wired argument), and of course making sure there are no bottlenecks in the main routes (unlike the 10/100 ADSL modem-router that blocks part of my network).
A third option, which should work (but don't blame me!), if one machine will be doing the bulk of the media usage, and if that machine has a gigabit Ethernet port (many do). You should be able to plug a gigabit NAS drive straight into that socket, by any length of Cat5 cable. That Mac will gain the maximum bandwidth, for great performance. But the drive should also appear on the network, via that Mac's wireless presence, picking up it's own IP address, and therefore available (at the lower wireless speed) to the second Mac. It should work, but I've never tried it. If it doesn't work, you can alway plug the NAS drive into the new Airport Extreme base station (returning to option 1) instead of a USB-only hard drive, and you've only paid a tenner more for the hard drive than you would have done anyway.
Slightly off topic, but I have a LaCie NAS which my Mac accesses via a wireless router. This works well for me, but the bandwidth is likely to be a limiting factor if you need heavy access to media files, especially video.
Anyway to the point of my post: anyone know how I can make the Mac (running OSX) automatically connect/remount the NAS when it reboots?
At present I have to use the Finder application and manually connect to the drive. This is fine for me, but for anyone else in the household it is a bit too technical
, and given that all the music files are on the NAS it means that any iPod that is synchronised with iTunes has all of its contents wiped if the library cannot be found. 
Anyway to the point of my post: anyone know how I can make the Mac (running OSX) automatically connect/remount the NAS when it reboots?
At present I have to use the Finder application and manually connect to the drive. This is fine for me, but for anyone else in the household it is a bit too technical
, and given that all the music files are on the NAS it means that any iPod that is synchronised with iTunes has all of its contents wiped if the library cannot be found. gizard said:
Agreed. Another very happy Mac/ReadyNAS NV user here.
Will probably buy a 2nd one soon as I've maxed out on one (uncompressed DVDs streamed over Gigabit ethernet to a Mac Mini connected to a 42" plasma screen)...
jeremyc said:
anyone know how I can make the Mac (running OSX) automatically connect/remount the NAS when it reboots?
System Preferences -> Accounts -> (your account) Login items
Drag and drop the volume in.
I use a Buffalo Linkstation, though there is the long filename issue to get round.
magic torch said:
jeremyc said:
anyone know how I can make the Mac (running OSX) automatically connect/remount the NAS when it reboots?
System Preferences -> Accounts -> (your account) Login items
Drag and drop the volume in.
I use a Buffalo Linkstation, though there is the long filename issue to get round.
What a star - thanks! 
You deserve a ride in a 956 ... maybe even with Derek Bell driving
Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 11th April 22:37
jeremyc said:
What a star - thanks! Just beware that depending on your network, and what else the machine is doing at logon, it may take a little time to connect (only seconds, but it might matter).
Also, I'm pretty sure you'll need to store any user details to connect to the NAS in the keychain etc. (a tickbox option when you connect up to it manually).
I use this method for sharing an iTunes library. But occasionally one machine launches iTunes before the volume has fully connected. This has the result of pointing iTunes to the default, local machine, area. Shutting iTunes and reopening cures this (something I could automate I'm sure if I could be bothered
). maddog-uk said:
3rd vote for Infrant nv+
We have a 1.6tb one with 1tb usuable and it rocks. Seamlessly swap data between a pc and a mac. It has many other benefits too, music server etc.
cheers
Simon
We have a 1.6tb one with 1tb usuable and it rocks. Seamlessly swap data between a pc and a mac. It has many other benefits too, music server etc.
cheers
Simon
IT's excelant with a SlimDevices Squeeze box ! all I need to do now is connect it to my PS3!
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff