Can pi be used as a server with a hard drive

[garycooke]

Can i use the pi as a server to point my devices to ie work pc home pc tablet and mob phone, is it possible to plug a hard drive into it and have it on all the time and if so is there a limit to what size hard drive and what spec?
Going a step further could i point my pi to a server that would hold loads of data ie 200gig so i could store vast amounts of data ie videos photos films ect and if so does anyone know of a very cheap server service i could use and reliable.
I have been offered free stuff with my phone but only free for 2 years while i have the phone contract with little space (2 gig) which i can see once the contract is up, they will start charging me.

[jamesh]

You can plug in a USB HW, but it will need its own power supply. Don't think there is a capacity limit.

The Pi can connect to the net, so no reason you cannot use web based storage.

[texy]

To set up the Pi as a NAS, with or without a hard drive, see this wiki page :
http://elinux.org/R-Pi_NAS


Texy