I am looking at setting up a mac as a server/back-up/etc and was after some advice.

I want to be able to use it as network storage, for iTunes (sync my iPod to or i could have my iTunes library on it), etc. Clearly i do not need anythinig flash, though Gb ethernet would be nice. I would also like airport. Something with a few drive bays would be ideal - which model G4 is most suited, i have no idea

I would be looking to flog off my mac mini to help fund this and do not want/have that much to spend on top...

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated


[The worst case scenario would be needing to use it if one of my other macs requires repair/replacement - i need to keep that in mind. I always like to have a back-up and will be parting with all but my PB soon (the iMac is at the folks)...]

you could use the macmini with external drives for a nice quiet system

otherwise MDD G4s are fast, have lots of drive bays etc but are noisy and hot

Cheapest and suitable for your application would be a Gigabit G4 (stock ~ $200), Sawtooth G4 (stock config $100 - 150) (with PCI 1000mbps card), or Quicksilver G4 (stock 733Mhz config $300 - 400). These machines are relatively quiet, plenty fast for server duties and can be stacked with hard disks. Keep in mind all have a 128GB limitation on hard disk size, so you may also have to factor in the cost of an IDE PCI disk controller card.

The MDD (second generation models I think) don't have the 128GB limitation, but as luke noted, noisy, hot, unsuitable.

JB

Gigabit transfers to my dual 450 which has a SATA card and SATA drive are a bit slower than I thought they should be, but it makes a fine file server. Older G4's don't use much power at all, but can have noisy fans.

what sort of capacity are you requiring? your mini with one or two external drives would give you 1tb easily. might be cheaper that getting a new system.

like this for $94.95 + a 500gb ide hdd drive presently around $175 from msy.

you might find cheaper enclosures elsewhere, and is definitely cheaper if you settle for usb2.

so under $300 for 500gb, double that if you want 1tb on two drives or get one enclosure with a 1tb drive.

takes up less space that a g4 tower.

I've got a G4 Sawtooth and it has gigabit ethernet onboard. Using an array of 3 80s internally, plus a 320 USB external and 200 FW external.

Damn thing is quiet as a mouse and i often forget that is on next to my desk.

"Sawtoothes" don't have onboard gigabit.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...wermac-g4.html

http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...ac_g4_500.html <-last of the sawtoothes.

PCI gigabit cards are pretty damn slow when installed in Sawoothes (about 50% faster than 100 BaseT) due to the slow bus speed of the computer (100 mhz.) Additional PCI cards will slow them down even more sharing the PCI bus.

Any gigabit G4 or better would be a good way to go if one can tolerate the noise. Intel minis are far more ideal as they use much less power, are virtually silent and are pretty damn cheap. And afterall, one doesn't need a monitor on a fileserver either.

Dave

Like Dave said, that's not a Sawtooth it's a Gigabit Ethernet.

Note, I'm aware this is a redundant post.

After getting a 1.83 Ghz CD edu iMac, I have found that my 867ghz Quicksilver is ridiculously slow in comparison for CPU intensive stuff like H264 conversion. Its now connected up to the iMac via ethernet and used for storage and itunes back up. I find the data transfer rates seem roughly as good as firewire, but then I have always found firewire disappointingly slow. I bought the iMac for my mother and will be replacing it with a C2D Mac Mini next month.

Well it was advertised as Sawtooth

I stand corrected

Thanks for the comments everyone.

The 128G HDD limit is a pain & i am not as hardware/tech savy as many of you - could you provide some detail for a suitable IDE PCI disk controller card please

Part of this has come about as i am now back from traveling and not having a big box under the table seems weird (i got the mini as it was portable and a good back-up - i took it with me). Some of the G4s are nice looking too

I have considered keeping the min given the space (i am more than happy with it as well). If i did keep it, i would get an external DVD burner for it (lightscribe) at some stage.

I am looking at this M9 in the trading thread - would get a larger HDD eventually. I looked at one of these a long time back. The link that Natakim posted is also interesting - though only one USB port (so not really stackable without a hub). Possible for future expansion though.

Anyone recommend against using my PPC mini like this (even if for the short term)?

i can also use the mini as a media centre later i guess...

[I currently had a Lacie Porsche 320G external (USB only) ]

if you went for one of these, they get cheaper (shipping costs that is) the more you order. 1 unit is $38 us. for 4 units it is $78 us.
maybe we could get a few people with mini's together and get a few, reduced shipping and all?

another option is these, for e-sata, but they ain't in aus yet. i'm waiting for australian distributer to get back to me with details. i imagine they will be quite pricey.

Mine was too!

I went for 4 months thinking it was a sawtooth until someone pointed out the white light and told me that sawtooths have a green powerlight - looked in network config and she's a gigabit machine!!!

Makes a great fileserver/webserver.

I would get a SATA PCI card rather than a ATA card. I ended up getting one of these and adding 2 500G HDs.

I think using the Mini is a better idea though. The PMs are just too big and noisy.

Blackfire Technologies are the Australian distributor for the ProJovian SUA-100E card, which gives you two PATA and two SATA-150 connectors on one card, with no need for drivers (full support from MacOS 8.6 upwards). A$129.



(product page here)

The PATA connector lets you connect drives up to 500 GB capacity, the three SATA150's (two internal, one eSATA port on the backplate) are good for up to 2 TB per.

BTW: the early gig-E G4's are very noisy (the PSU fan is the culprit) and pull a fair amount of power when loaded. I own a G4/500DP gig-E beastie, and it SCREAMED (noise-wise) until I replaced the PSU's fan with a much quieter model.


Brains