Originally Posted by
nastravel
There is a server version with Quad processors and 2X500GB HD (assume this can be used as a RAID?)
it can be configured as a raid, as can any mac with multiple hard drives.
Anyway my other thread on NAS is getting a bit too technical for me to understand but this new macmini server does look interesting and I wanted to know:
1) Whether I can store all my music/video/photos on this macmini server and then connect it out to the LAN (though a router - hopefully can still find a 4 port router)
sure, but you can do that with a nas too.
2) Is this ok to be turned on 24/7. - will it damage the HD?
not a problem but you will of course want a backup of your files, no matter what you do.
3) backup, whether I should also get the Time Capsule or just hook up an external USB drive to the server to do incremental backups? hopefully a thunderbolt HD will come up soon!
if you already have the mini (and a wifi router), a time capsule is not needed. you can add external hard drives to the mini, and thunderbolt is overkill for a network drive. on the other hand, if all you want is network storage, a time capsule is cheaper.
4) If I get the new IMac as well, what is the best way to setup this. should I point this to the Macmini server for all the files, or also store the music on the Imac and then use the server for incremental backups?
network storage is slower, so only put stuff that's not speed critical on the server.
5) For my other devices, HDTV with DLA, Ipad, Iphone etc... how should I hook it up
configure them to connect to your network (the ipad and iphone will be wifi) and there's various software to stream content as well as other things.
6) the Lion Server app, is this secure enough? It looks pretty simple to use
it's actually fairly comprehensive, although it's easier than configuring other servers. if all you want is network storage, you don't need lion server. any mac (or even a pc) will do.
7) Can I access this server REMOTELY? Also is it secure?
it is if you set it up for remote access and the security is as good as your passphrase. you will also want to keep up to date with security patches.