How to Set Up a Multi-Drive Storage Enclosure

The best way to set multiple drive storage is to set-up a home network and use a PC which can usually handle up to 4 drives at a time. That’s costly and requires maintenance. What other options are there? Take a look further and see how to set up a multi-drive storage system for your home network.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• SATA Hard Drives
• Storage Bot
• Wireless Router (Optional)

1. The Storage Enclosure: There are lots of different options here. You can set up a PC based network which is the best way but, is not cost effective and has management costs. PC based networks can also be costly to upgrade. There are a number of RAID solutions available but, they can be complicated, there is limited flexibility and little room to upgrade cost-effectively.
   
   The best way to go is a Storage bot such as the Dobro. This is a system put out by Data Robotics. It connects to your computer via USB 2. How easy is that! The system can handle up to 4 of any capacity of serial ATA (SATA) drives giving you the option of up to several terabytes of data storage. Most bots are intelligent enough to handle different drive capacities so that you can upgrade the system effortlessly and inexpensively as you require more space.
2. Data Protection: Storage bots offer internal data protection systems so that your data is secure without having to use costly RAID systems. This specific bot will notify you when your drives are nearing capacity. It also will shut down the drives if it suspects that there is a danger to your data.
3. Drive Space: Determine your need. Don’t put in 4 720 gig drives if you will never need it. At the same time, make sure you account for expansion. The most cost effective way to build your bot system is by properly estimating your drive space requirements. Remember though, there is always room to upgrade! Even if you fill it up the beauty of these bots is that you can connect multiples to your computer.
4. The Network: This isn’t required but, it can be really helpful depending on your needs. Purchase a Wireless network router. Lynksys and D-Link both make some good products. After connecting your drive to your PC, go to your My Computer; right click on the bot and go to sharing. Check the box to allow sharing on the network. This will allow you to access your data from a laptop or from a PC anywhere in your home whether you are connected via wireless or via Ethernet. When you go to connect, from the My Computer on the computer you are connecting from, go to ‘Tools’; ‘Map Network Drive’ and locate the drive.