External Disks
External Storage - Network and USB Disks
The advent of these devices is one of the most promising developments of the decade. They are now usually more intelligent than older versions, they can act as backup devices, as file-servers, they can REPLACE most file servers, or you can use them as your main hard disk for secure and much more private data and program storage. "A Hard-disk Docking Station - Low cost external-disk option!")
 "The Basic Buffalo Link Station")
 "Buffalo Link Station Quad with Bit-Torrent Support")
The cheapest way to do this is to buy an empty disk caddy and an internal hard disk.
The most elaborate way is to use a fully fledged Network Disk, which now features an FTP server, Email alerts and many other useful features.
It doesn't matter if it's IDE or SATA, because the cable will be the bottleneck (see below). Media Servers are also usually a Network or USB external disk, with some additional software and a remote.
We sell disk caddies and media players of many types, but for turnkey Network, USB or Dual-interface External Disks we prefer either Western Digital or Buffalo.
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Network Disks vs. USB Disks
A network disk is often quicker than a USB 2.0 device. There are other factors, as well as the connection speed, such as the disk interface or network condition, but the main limit to an external disk is on the type of connection you are using.So, consider the following table, which lists Effective Transfer Rates rather than just the interface speeds;
| Transfer rate: MB/s | Example Uses | |
| Serial (RS232) | 0.02 | Device comms |
| USB 1.0 | 0.19 | PC Interface |
| Bluetooth 2 | 0.38 | Gadgets |
| Parallel (centronics) | 1.00 | Printers |
| 4.3Ghz band (IEEE 802.11b) | 1.38 | Wireless networks |
| Ethernet | 1.25 | 10BaseT Ethernet |
| USB 2.0 | 1.50 | PC Interface |
| Fast Ethernet | 12.50 | 100BaseT Ethernet |
| Firewire (IEEE 1394) | 12.50 | Gadgets |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 125.00 | 1000BaseT Ethernet |
By comparison, an internal hard disk interface is running at between 100 and 500 MB/s, so the bottleneck is always going to be the connection type.
See Computer Interface Speeds @ EalingRoad.com for more information on interface and network speeds and a complete version of the table above.
Network Attached Storage or NAS
Most network disks come with NAS software which you are encouraged to load. PLEASE NOTE YOU DO NOT NEED ANY SOFTWARE TO RUN A NETWORK DISK. That is the beauty of it, there is no overhead involved. NAS gives to the average user no appreciable benefits and is a waste of time. Anyone disagreeing with this statement, please feel free to contact us!For more Accessories, click HERE
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