AppleInsider › Forums › General › Genius Bar › How to set up a network-available external hard drive?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

How to set up a network-available external hard drive?

post #1 of 6
11/9/06 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 
I have 2 laptops (a PowerBook and a PC - for work, I swear!) and I'm getting an iMac. Currently I'm using an external HDD for backups etc., hooking it up to both laptops when needed.

But I was wondering if now, with the addition of an always-on, immovable desktop computer, I can add external drives to it and use them for media storage and backups and have it be accessible from all 3 networked computers. So, I'd basically like to:

- Hook up an external HDD to the iMac
- "See" the external HDD from my laptops on the same wireless network.

Is this the best way to go about it at all? I'm also considering getting a NAS solution, but if it's possible to do the above without purchasing any additional equipment, I'd do it instead since I'm definitely pleased with my external.

Suggestions?

Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 6
11/9/06 at 2:14pm
Backing-up over a wireless network would be very slow. But yes, you can share the drive from the iMac.

When you've got the iMac, go to the "sharing" pane of system preferences, and check "personal file sharing" (for sharing with Macs) and "Windows sharing" (for sharing with PCs).
it's = it is / it has, its = belonging to it.
Reply
it's = it is / it has, its = belonging to it.
Reply
post #3 of 6
11/9/06 at 2:23pm
You don't need an always on computer you need a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device.

This is a hard disk with an ethernet port that you can connect to your wireless router. Sure it won't be fast over a Wireless network but should be suitable for back-ups.

Here's one such device.

This will allow you to use the drive on the laptops without the iMac being on or taking a performance hit.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 6
12/13/06 at 1:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Climax510

All systems are running Windows XP.

Sorry dude, you must have missed the name of this website.
it's = it is / it has, its = belonging to it.
Reply
it's = it is / it has, its = belonging to it.
Reply
post #5 of 6
12/13/06 at 5:48am
I split his post into its own thread.

Asking your own new question in the middle of someone else's thread is called thread-crapping.
--Johnny
Reply
--Johnny
Reply
post #6 of 6
11/3/07 at 4:43am
I have a similar problem. I will post a new post with my question.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Genius Bar
AppleInsider › Forums › General › Genius Bar › How to set up a network-available external hard drive?