Ideal Ntwk, Disk expansion/NAS, Backup/Offsite???

Question

Please excuse the large post.

First, yes I have searched for recommendation with no luck. Maybe I'm "asking" the wrong search questions? Also searched Dell's site for articles etc. on the subject but have only found VERY basic info. So what's my question?

I would like to upgrade/replace my home network, add disk space accessible by 3 PCs and implement a decent backup system with off-site storage (details following). I AM planning to purchase the items ASAP and I'm not looking for "cheap" stuff but don't need the "best" or bleeding edge.

Configuration suggestions will be appreaciated!! Also, can anyone recommend other forums/info sources that might help?

Current configuration:
- Inspiron 6000 - 2GB, 60GB HD, Wireless A/B/G, XP SP2 Home Ed
- Dimension 4600 - 1GB, 80GB HD, Wireless A/B/G, XP SP2 Home Ed
- FUTURE Soon? 2nd laptop/tablet?
- Dell Laser 1815dn - networked, ethernet to router
- Router Linksys WRT54G
- Cable Modem Linksys

Why upgrade:
- NAS (or better idea, e.g. external drive USB to PC/laptop?)
- addt'l disk space for especially for digital photos
- data files shared among PCs e.g. email, quicken data.......
(currently synch using XP "My Briefcase" ) - would NAS "work"?
Speed using WiFi "N" vs. Ethernet Gigabit (no house wiring)?
- Faster Ntwk e.g. "N" for faster transfer of data among PC and/or NAS access. ALSO better range (if I stay with "G" a repeater would help).
- Backup/Off-site storage - I want a reliable backup system with the ability to store data off-site (e.g. portable drives). Want to be able to backup data and have restorable "images" (Ghost?)

I would prefer buying as-much-as-possible through Dell so that I have one primary point of contact for support/maint to reduce finger pointing for problems. I'm actually willing to pay extra for this (call me crazy). IF I could find someone/company to "trust" I would even pay for the configuration to get it right!

FUTURE UPGRADES desired (Near future!)for a later post?
- 2nd monitor for PC and laptop(s)
- Digital Picture frames preferably WiFi, not the little 10" frames

tgsmith · Answer

UncleWilley,   Regarding NAS, particulary for digital photos, I would recommend that you take a look at the IOmega 1Tb Wireless Unit.  Details here:  http://www.iomega.com/direct/products/family.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=26891315&bmUID=1200546944461  Note that it also has a built-in Print Server so you gain a wireless print server in the process.     Regarding using Wi-Fi 'N' router, I would like to point out that you must equip all of your PCs with Wi-Fi 'N' cards to reap the full benefits.  The maximum transfer speed is 54Mbps when communicating with Wi-Fi 'G' devices.  The maximum coverage is also the same as 'G'; i.e., approximately 300 meters when communicating with 'G' devices.      You could upgrade your Linksys WRT54G to a WRT54GS (the 'S' stands for Speedboost) and add Linksys or third-party high-gain antennas.  That would vastly improve the link speed and coverage area of your existing home network.   I am assuming that your home is a standard stick-built unit; i.e., wood wall studs and framing.  If you have a high-tech home with metal wall studs such as those used in motels, then Wi-Fi 'N' would be the way to go.   The beauty of a shared network drive is that you can designate a folder on that drive as the location for program data files; i.e., Quickbooks, Quicken, Excel, PhotoShop, etc.  Likewise you could designate a folder on the shared drive for each user on the network.   It is not necessary to 'share' e-mails unless you are talking about saving e-mails or attachments to a shared location; i.e. the 1Tb network drive I mentionned earlier.  You can simply edit your Outlook Express settings on each computer to leave a copy of your e-mail messages on your ISP's e-mail server for 'x' number of days.  That way, you can access the same e-mails from any PC on the network unless you opt to delete the messages when your Deleted messages folder is emptied from any PC on the network.   Sorry, but I don't know a whole lot about the digital picture frames.  My wife has the fancy 10 Megapixel Digital Camera with photo printer docking station.  I still use a good old 35mm SLR.   Hope this info helps.   Tony

Unclewilley · Answer

Tony Thanks for the info. I'll check out the Iomega. Regarding the 'GS' Speedboost, do the PCs need to be upgraded to GS or will the current WiFi G work and achieve the increased performance? Is it feasible to use the NAS for shared data storage AND as a backup drive for multiple PCs - backing up data files stored local on each PC and restorable 'images' of each PCs local drive? If so, regarding Backup SW options, I have seen recommendations for Acronis TI 11 and Ghost 12. Any comments? Thanks Again

tgsmith · Answer

UncleWilley,   The link speed and range will be vastly improved if you use Linksys USB or PCI wireless cards that also have Speedboost technology, but the router is backward compatible with your existing 'G' cards.  Biggest advantage is the ability to install the high-gain antennas. If your WRT54G has removable antennas, then you could just install the Linksys high-gain antennas.  That would improve access speed and range.  For example, a 9db gain antenna basically triples the range of the original factory antennas.  Better range translates to greater signal strength which translates to a higher link throughput.    As I mentionned earlier, IOmega also has an eSATA/USB 2.0 that comes with IOmega's Never Down backup solution.  See this:  http://www.technoworldinc.com/techno-images/iomega-15tb-drive-offers-fancy-backup-option-t57859.0.html     While this storage/backup solution is primarily designed for a Desktop PC, I can see where it could be integrated into a peer-to-peer home network to provide NAS and backups of each PC.  Note that the Never Down configuration runs two, hot-swappable SATA II drives.    As far as backup software, it's probably a tossup as to whether Acronis TI or Ghost 12 is the better system.  I personally prefer Ghost.  Others might favor Acronis.   Personally, I would probably opt for the 1Tb unit I referenced earlier, use Ghost to store backup images of each PC on it and also put copies of those images on recordable DVDs for offsite storage.   Hope this info helps.   Tony

Unclewilley · Answer

Tony

Sorry for more questions.

I assume you don't care for the "pre-N" routers or they are not really any faster than GS?

Also, I assume the Iomega Never Down backup solution isn't as good as Ghost etc.?

BTW do you know anything about Dell's "Total Solutions"? Ref Direct2Dell Blog, Subject: "Tech Support Selling: What's Going On?", Fri. Jan. 11, 2008 by Lionel Menchaca, Digital Media Managerhttp://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/01/11/40990.aspx

Thanks again!
Bill (UncleWilley)

tgsmith · Answer

UncleWilley,   The 'N' routers are great and definitely the way to go if you're constructing a completely new wireless home network.  'N' routers use multiple antennas.  Some have 3, 4 or 5 antennas. I have seen some with as many as 10 antennas.   I considered trying one of them this past Monday to solve a coverage problem I have in a local hotel.  After reviewing all the specs, and realizing that most travelers are probably running 'G' cards, I opted for the Linksys WRT54GS with Speedboost and high-gain antennas.   Actually, the Belkin four-port 'N' wireless router I looked at was cheaper than the Linksys.   I must confess that I like the Linksys WRT54G series routers.  I can quite easily modify them by replacing the Linksys firmware with alternative firmware that gives me capabilities found in far more expensive commercial routers.    Most 'N' routers will communicate fine with 'G' wireless cards, but you don't get any real gain in link speed or coverage area unless the network PCs and laptops are also using 'N' wireless cards.   I'm sure that IOmega's Never Down system works great.  I've used, and still use, IOmega's ZIP drives and REV drives.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the Never Down system uses Ghost to achieve its Instant Recovery.  Hot-swappable drives aside, I still prefer that a I have backups on some form of removable, recordable media such as tape, CD, or DVD.  Hard drives are electro-mechanical devices and as such can fail.  Recovering data from a hard drive with a bad spindle motor is very expensive.    I really know very little about Dell's 'Total Solutions'.  Perhaps one of the DCF liason guys could drop in and give you more info on that.   Let me know if you have other questions.   Tony

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Ideal Ntwk, Disk expansion/NAS, Backup/Offsite???

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