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Last Updated: October 13, 2007

	Today's Best Choice - Shared Files The Hammer Storage myShare includes gigabit Ethernet and the ability to password protect folders.  The 500GB and 1TB models include an empty, second drive bay to add your own drive for RAID 1 mirroring.  The 1.5TB and 2TB model include two drives.  Plug in an external hard drive to the USB port and that drive can be used by everyone on the network too.  Plug in a printer to the USB drive and the printer is now networked.  Unfortunately, it does not work with Ghost because a password is required to use the drive, which Ghost doesn't support. Read a review from PC Magazine (May 2007), owner reviews at NewEgg. Buy the 500GB version for $270 ($0.54/GB). Buy the 1.0TB version for $400 ($0.40/GB). Buy the 1.5TB version for $590 ($0.39/GB). Buy the 2.0TB version for $860 ($0.42/GB).
	Today's Best Choice - Shared Files The HP Media Vault includes gigabit Ethernet, backup software to backup/restore other PCs, 3 USB ports to add hard drives or connect a printer to print across the network.  It has a second, empty drive bay to add another drive for RAID 1 mirroring. Read a review from ExtremeTech (Apr 2007). Buy the 500GB version (mv2020) for $340 ($0.68/GB). Buy the 1TB version (mv2040) for $590 ($0.59/GB).
	Today's Best Choice - Shared Files The Buffalo LinkStation Pro includes advanced features like active directory support and gigabit jumbo frame support. Read a review from Small Net Builder (Apr 2007, Aug 2006), owner reviews at NewEgg. Buy the 320GB version for $200 ($0.63/GB). Buy the 500GB version for $280 ($0.56/GB). Buy the 750GB version for $380 ($0.51/GB). Buy the 1TB version for $550 ($0.55/GB).

Network Attached Storage (NAS) or backup servers are more than external hard drives.  They include a gigabit network jack to connect directly to a network switch rather than using a USB cable to connect to a computer.  They also allow specific user rights on a per folder basis and may even allow connections away from home over the internet.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) or backup servers for home use don't get glowing reviews.  They are either too hard to use and/or don't include enough features.  I only included products less than $700 since more expensive products were still hard to use and marketed to the technically proficient.

Microsoft Windows Home Server for $190 received a good review from PC Magazine (Sept 2007).  ARS Technica explains what Windows Server will do and not do.  It's not the $900 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise edition, but it meets most needs for home use.  Although the software is sold separately to make your own NAS, it's easier to buy a NAS with Windows Home Server already installed.

Build your own NAS

Some people use an old desktop computer as a network attached storage (NAS) to centrally house documents, audio and video files.  I'd recommend upgrading the motherboard and two identical hard drives to use RAID 1 mirroring.  If one hard drive fails, the second hard drive has a duplicate copy of the files.  Here are the parts needed to build your own.  The processors are an overkill for a home file server, but it's hard to find motherboards that support slower processors.

User rights to specific folders can be configured in Windows.  Real time backup software such as NTI Shadow 3 to backup all of the computers in the house to the NAS would be nice.  See the backup software section of this web site for more details.

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