How to build Home Media Server with plugcomputer

[hellocyf]

Dear All：
        I am newer, I want use plugcomputer to make home media server,It store my pics and videos and blog,docs，these needs large storage,and will increase by time，and all these will be manerger by my sns system write in php,so it need LAMP backend。
        For that purpose,which type plug and accessories I need to buy.
thanks.

[VanHalen]

That is what I am going to do shortly. I decided to order the SheevaPlug after I verified that it has the newer powersupply from  Globalscale Technologies.
I plan to use these instructions http://www.grantlucas.com/archive/november/2009/setting-sheevaplug-media-server to set it up.

After I have it up an running I will attempt to power it from a USB Hub. Check it out here: http://www.newit.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=63f143307eff65c1ab7560f26c7bb737&topic=700.0

Currently I have two WD 1T external USB drives that hold my videos and music. My goal is to add additional storage for backing up the pc's here in our house and for future expansion of videos.

[hellocyf]

thanks VanHalen.your solusion could work.But External USB 2.0 Hard Drive makes not cleanly and
did not meet the plugcomputer's name.
 ,

I found Cirrus from ionicsplug site,this may be meet the needs.but it have not a price,and cannot  order now.

[VanHalen]

Not sure what you mean did not meet plugcomputer's name. Plugcomputer is a generic term and the Sheevaplug was one of the first in this space.
The Cirrus looks interesting but I worry about adding a sata HD into the enclosure and the heat build up that will occur. I would rather have the HDD's external.

[hellocyf]

change Cirrus hdd as SSD and Make it pluggable for change storage size late or some backup needs.
this will meet the needs ,clean ,low heat,and storage size choice by user.

[VanHalen]

You said you wanted a media server. If you plan on serving movies from it you will quickly run out of hard drive space.
They all say low heat but that may not be the case, just read these forums to find many examples.
My Sheevaplug will be here shortly as it just shipped I will post a picture once I get it up and running.
Good luck to you.

[grantlucas]

Hey there. Thought I would chime in on this discussion. With the plug computer running 24/7 I would definitely worry about heat. Keep in mind that not only does the hard drive get warm, but the Sheevaplug, with no internal HD gets pretty warm as well. I understand the appeal of keeping it all in a nice little package, but running external hard drives via  USB hub gives you the nice advantage of expandability and backup between drives.

Haha and as per the picture posted below of my setup, yes it's quite ugly  , but it was more to give a size scale compared to the Mac Pro below it. In day to day use, it sits on a shelf al neatly tucked away.

Thanks VanHalen for the plug to my tutorial. I sincerely hope it helps you out. Let me know if anything doesn't work or gives you problems. I'm more than happy to help.

Good luck to you both on your plug computer adventures! It's addictive once you get one.....you want to get more. My lust object now for a media server is http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/t-d2plugdetails.aspx

Grant

[VanHalen]

Grant,
First thanks to your tutorial as it has been the inspiration on getting this plug computer up and running. Was successful in updating the Debian, moving the boot to a 8Meg SD card. I just got my first USB drive mounted and available to all computers on my network without having to log in and survive a reboot of the plug. This is slightly different from your tutorial on creating a user account which I started with but wanted a non login way to access the drives on the network. I just added a USB hub and am just now trying to figure out how to mount a second drive.
Still a newbie on Linux but I have been using your tutorial as well as others to get this done.

[VanHalen]

While it has taken longer than I wanted I have finally assembled my media server with my Sheevaplug.
I have a 2 TB and 1 TB WD Green Usb hard drives (1 TB is hidden behind the 2 TB) in a Thermaltake BlacX  duet two drive USB docking station. I have attached it via a Belkin USB hub to allow for future expansion.

[VanHalen]

While it has taken longer than I wanted I have finally assembled my media server with my Sheevaplug.
I have a 2 TB and 1 TB WD Green Usb hard drives (1 TB is hidden behind the 2 TB) in a Thermaltake BlacX  duet two drive USB docking station. I have attached it via a Belkin USB hub to allow for future expansion.

Here is a picture of my setup:<img src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/67021075@N08/6096496516/" alt="" border="0" />