External USB drive to server....?

benj0145 · 18 Mar 2013 at 20:39

Hi there

I know this isnt the most elegant solution, but finances dictate best use of what i have! Basically I'm thinking about repurposing my ageing core duo laptop as a home file server using windows 8. I am wondering if you guys think using an external USB 2.0 hdd say a buffalo 2tb for example would be quick enough over a LAN?

I'm concerned that it will be slow to access over the network?

Any thoughts much appreciated!

Thanks

rpstewart · 18 Mar 2013 at 22:55

Over a 100Mbps LAN that should be fine. For gigabit then you won't saturate it but you should still get ~25-30MB/s.

brendy · 18 Mar 2013 at 23:27

If you sort the power management for both the laptop and external drive (going to sleep will be a oain on both) it'll work ok for pulling files, streaming will have a delay though.

bledd · 19 Mar 2013 at 00:09

rpstewart said:
Over a 100Mbps LAN that should be fine. For gigabit then you won't saturate it but you should still get ~25-30MB/s.

This.

^What do you mean a delay?, It will work fine unless you're accessing big files from multiples machines at the same time.

benj0145 · 19 Mar 2013 at 09:21

Thanks a lot for the replies folks, my major concern is if the bandwidth will be sufficient to play say a 1080p mkv?

bledd · 19 Mar 2013 at 13:00

Should be fine, it may take a few seconds longer to open up the file, but it will play it no problem, unless it's some insane uncompressed file format that is huge

benj0145 · 19 Mar 2013 at 13:25

Fantastic, thanks a lot for your help mate

bledd · 19 Mar 2013 at 16:24

No worries, can you edit your sig please bud, way too big!

400x75 max http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/faq.php?faq=vb_board_usage#faq_vb_memberlist_how

If you don't edit it, a mod will just remove the whole thing..

benj0145 · 19 Mar 2013 at 16:48

Oooh fudge! Didn't realise that was like that! It wasn't working when I first added it and I swear it was the small one I chose.

I've removed it anyway, thanks for the heads up!