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Question

Wireless Hard Drive v. Home Network Server

Oct 28, 2012 3:49AM PDT

Hey,

I recently purchased the 2GB GoFlex Home wireless external hard drive from Seagate and am primarily using it as a source for my movie/audio/computer program files to be accessed remotely by any computer through my network (and or through the internet via Seagate's remote access app/program).

I was wondering what would be the benefit if any of setting up a home server, not that we have technology such as wireless hard drives that let multiple computers access files via the wireless network? If there is a large advantage I am certainly interested in what the pros are, and what materials/products/manufacturers people would recommend.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Have you tried HDD access over WiFi?
Oct 28, 2012 3:55AM PDT

Let's see the usual speeds.

SATA is 1.5 Gbps or better.
USB 2.0 is 480 Mbps or lower.
WiFi is a shared 54 Mbps and again can go up or down but is SHARED.

To access a HDD over WiFi means a lot more traffic if the HDD is on WiFi. Your PC sends a request, the router gets the packet and sends it to the WiFi HDD, then HDD finally sends the packet to the router and the router finally sends this back to your PC.

So far I've found this to cause the speeds to plummet so low that most folk pull the plug.

Can't find any upside to HDDs on WiFi links.
Bob

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Wirelss HDD
Oct 28, 2012 6:23AM PDT

I second that, slug city lag time..not going there.

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Clarification Request
clarification
Oct 28, 2012 8:56AM PDT

Well what set up and equipment would you recommend for file sharing across multiple computers, gaming consoles and tablets.

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Well, one thing. No HDD on WiFi.
Oct 28, 2012 3:08PM PDT

I have set up NAS and servers wired to the router which is about double the speed of having the NAS or server connected via WiFi. Still much slower than DAS (directly attached storage.)

There are folk that must try the WiFi NAS or HDD and learn why it's not for most folk.
Bob