# Does this network storage/media server appliance exist
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 10, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345 "2010-09-10T22:20:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345/1 "2010-09-10T22:20:56Z")
I’m looking for a home media device that does the following:
Provides copious network-attached storage for my home LAN
Is able to connect to additional USB external storage devices
Has a web interface through which files can be organised and selectively moved from external to internal volumes and vice versa
Can display photo slideshows, again ideally in a web page, for cross-platform availability (i.e. so I can use the Wii browser on the TV to see the photos)
I’m specifically looking for a media/storage appliance, rather than a full-blown server - and I don’t want to build a server from an old PC, as I suspect an appliance will be greatly more economical in its power consumption.
Does such a thing exist?
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### Author:  [@Dave.B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave.B)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345/2 "2010-09-10T22:37:17Z")
I have a Linksys NSLU2 that does pretty much everything you mentioned. I had to reflash it with uNSLUng firmware, and that’s not simple, but the little thing is bullet proof. I don’t think they make them any more, but you can pick them up second hand on eBay regularly.
There are many alternatives, and lots of active developer communities for this sort of thing. I believe the latest flavours of the month are (in no particular order) the DockStar, SheevaPlug, PogoPlug, amongst others. Certain Linksys routers can also be persuaded to do things like this too.
I believe all those need reflashing with custom firmware to do what you want, but that’s part of the fun.
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345/3 "2010-09-11T00:12:15Z")
Windows Home Server will meet all your requirements. But it’s about to be replaced, so I’d hold fire on it for now. If you put it on an Atom-based PC, your power requirements will be small.
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### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345/4 "2010-09-11T00:33:11Z")
Iomega has some pretty neato network solutions these days. [this one](http://go.iomega.com/en-us/products/network-storage-desktop/storcenter-network-storage-solution/network-hard-drive-ix2-200/?partner=4760#overviewItem_tab) should suit your needs.
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### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2010, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345/5 "2010-09-11T04:02:26Z")
Look here —\> [http://www.readynas.com/](http://www.readynas.com/)
I have a [ReadyNAS Duo](http://www.readynas.com/?cat=3). Might actually get another one. I tied it in [with a router](http://www.netgear.com/products/home/wirelessouters/high-performance/WNDR3700.aspx) that exploits it really well.
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### Author:  [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345/6 "2010-09-11T04:41:26Z")
When I read that list, I figured you needed a LAMP setup. That ReadyNAS Duo sounds pretty slick though. NAS have come a long way.
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### Author:  [@pmh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmh)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2010, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-network-storage-media-server-appliance-exist/553345/7 "2010-09-11T04:47:02Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#):
>
> Iomega has some pretty neato network solutions these days. [this one](http://go.iomega.com/en-us/products/network-storage-desktop/storcenter-network-storage-solution/network-hard-drive-ix2-200/?partner=4760#overviewItem_tab) should suit your needs.
As a former owner of the linked “solution”, I would encourage you to consider [del]something[/del] anything else.