Hi

I have about 3 TB worth of data mostly Movies (blu ray (ts files) and iso DVD files. I also have about a 1000 more movies I need to back digitize. I have been reading about these servers.

1) Can someone explain to me the ways in which to backup your data? I won't have another site for this data expect for the server so I need to figure out how to protect it. What happens if the main drive fails vs. on of the other three do you lose all data?

2) I need significantly more space in the future. Can some one explain how people are expanding the storage space. Can I use 4 drive USB enclosure and will it be ok to use for streaming ts files or can it be only used for backup. Can you have more than one Mediasmart server in the house?

3) What is the MAX storage available in the EX 485? I can put in 4 1.5 tb drives? and exteral 1.5 tb drives

4) Should I get the old server since it supports eSata port multipliers? The cost of the old server with 2Gb ram and a new upgraded processor will be the same as a Brand new EX 485.

Just a little background I have 4 POPCORN hours throughout my house and I want to centralize my movies and protect them from failure. I purchased a unRaid server from Limetech - this system allows you to add up to 15 1.5 TB drives and one drive is used as a parity drive - if any one drive goes bad all you have to do is stick in a new drive and the data will be repopulated. If 2 drives go bad you only lose the data on those 2 drives. Anyway I received this server but it would not boot up so I'm returning it and have the choice of returning it.

Sorry for the long post but I have read though many posts and these basic questions are not answered.

Appreciate any help.

Welcome to the forums. Much of your questions have indeed been answered in various posts across this forum and especially in the wiki (http://mediasmartserver.net/wiki). I won't go in depth but my comments are inline your quote.

Are you sure that you've read through many of the posts? Seems like this forum has answers to many of your questions

_________________
Richard

My gadget blog: http://www.gadgetinsane.com

Thanks I guess one has to go to various posts to get answers I wish the WIKI was more organized and easier to read. Think I will be going for the older unit maybe I can get one at a good price.

What's wrong with the Wiki? Perhaps you can offer your feedback in the "Suggestions and Feedback" forum: viewforum.php?f=4

In all seriousness, I'm sure we'd love to hear your feedback. Obviously, we'd like for it to be effective and although it appears to be effective to me, obviously it didn't work for you.

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Richard

My gadget blog: http://www.gadgetinsane.com

Here's an example of a great wiki. This is for unRaid Technology.


http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=UnRAID_Wiki

If someone comes to this wiki they can learn everything from one source. The MSS wiki I find difficult to navigate and not very complete. Just my opinion. Thanks for the help. Now back to searching for a good deal on the server. Maybe I should wait for the EX485 to be released first there should be flood of them on Ebay.

So I guess you're wanting a summary page that centralizes all links. Fair enough, this is why I created a "How to use this wiki" section on the main page of the Wiki, with the thought that Search and Categories would cover most peoples use models. We'll see what we can do, thanks for the feedback.

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Alex Kuretz
Remote Notification: Monitoring and alerting for your Home Server via email, Twitter, text message, RSS, push notifications, and on your Mac desktop
Have you tried our Add-Ins?

Please don't get me wrong. This is a great site with very helpful people. I havn't seen a single post where people chew into someone. Yes a centralized page would be very helpful. I'll read over that how to use the wiki page.

Thanks

Ooops