Help: Cheap network storage now that I'm going SSD.

I need network storage of some kind now that I'm getting an SSD (an Intel 160GB). I have a ton of movies and music (~100GB), and I just want to be able to listen/watch them over wireless (my wireless is 100% reliable and I get about 1MB file transfer speeds, enough for even HD movie streaming).

Anyway...the SSD was already a hard sell to the wife, so I need to find a cheap network storage solution. What I have already:

-about-to-be-displaced 350GB 2.5" HDD.
-WBR-2310 router (no USB ports)

My only idea was NAS of some kind...Ideally some enclosure that I could fit my 2.5" HDD in and connect to my router, but I'm having trouble finding something like that. I would like to keep it as cheap as possibe (~$50)...ideas?

EDIT: Sorry, I wasn't clear. I move my lappy around a lot so having an external HDD with it all the time isn't practical...I don't really want a USB enclosure, I'd like to have it hooked up to the router.

 

I just bought a 2.5" USB 2.0 enclosure for 8 bucks that is going to hold my 'displaced' HDD. A USB 2.0 can easily give you 20MB/s throughput so should fit your need

 

usb2.0 is 30MBps average around 26-31MBps

EDIT get a express card with eSATA ports so you can hook it up at full speed

 

Ya...I thought about using an enclosure, but I'd like to hook it up to the router. I move my lappy around a lot so having an external HDD with it all the time isn't practical...

 

For that price your best bet is a USB or eSATA enclosure. I have one of these that provides power over the USB/eSATA combo port in a single cable:

2.5" USB 2.0/eSATA Aluminum External SATA HDD Enclosure (Black) - Supports up to 500GB & Power over eSATA! HE-2521B

Currently sold out unfortunately but I'm sure they'll get more. It's very nice. If you're using your NP8690 I believe that has a combo USB/eSATA port?

edit: I did find these:

http://www.amazon.com/NetDisk-351UN...V0YC/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1291087252&sr=8-7

http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Tech-CS...closure/dp/tech-data/B0029Z9UN2/ref=de_a_smtd

Or use a NAS adapter from USB to ethernet, but you'd still need a USB enclosure too, but those are fairly cheap:

http://www.amazon.com/Addonics-NASU...9U/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1291087252&sr=8-15

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9001&cm_re=NAS_adapter-_-12-719-001-_-Product

 

Classic, I have an item for sale that might interest you. Check your PMs.

 

Well for network, not sure how well it would work but.............

Newegg.com - Sharkoon SATA QuickPort Pro LAN 2.5" & 3.5" Black USB2.0 / eSATA / LAN (RJ-45/100 MBit/s) Hard Drive Docking

 

Wow, that is really cool! I have a two bay eSATA external dock like that, but nothing with all those connectors. Great idea. Plug in USB drives, memory cards from your camera, access them from any PC. Classic. I like it. I may almost have to buy one. Great all-in-one solution for temporarily accessing all sorts of data. Wonder if you could connect an eSATA external drive to this and access it on the network or if it only works to connect to a PC. Hmmm.

 

Yeah, I thought it was pretty cool too. Other than the lack of USB 3.0 it is the Swiss Army Knife of Docks...............

 

raid 1 is your friend......

 

Linksys E3000 (and maybe the E2000 or E1000) has a USB port for NAS. It isn't super fast but I think it'd be fast enough for you.

You might even be able to combine that with a USB hub and do software "RAID" (you always need to backup your data).

Otherwise get the lowest, cheapest desktop with low end hardware and make that your NAS.

 

Thanks for the ideas guys!