R-Pi as file storage?

[Niteowl]

I'm an avid Mac user with experience with Linux and command line. I am a web developer and designer as well so I am not a dud when it comes to using computers.

I recently (10 minutes ago) thought that maybe I would like to attempt to build a file storage system as I work from home and would like to access my files from all of my devices over my home internet.

I playing with the idea of purchasing a Pi and using one of my WD Passport drives as a storage system. Wireless would be nice but I can plug cat5 directly to modem not a big deal.

My question is, is this a bad idea? Is it secure? Difficult?

What else would I require? Seems like a fun little project. Sort of like a cloud drive. Much like the apple airport tower device for storage.

Thoughts? Where do I start?

[ame]

You mean, like this?
http://www.raspipress.com/2013/05/turn- ... ge-server/

[tpylkko]

If by "home internet" you mean LAN and you need something like a NAS, then this is easy to do and extremely secure. After all, the device will only be accessible from your own local network (and not from the internet at all).

Actually a Raspberry pi for only this purpose seems, for me at least, a bit overkill. If I were to do this, I'd at least have the pi do something else, in addition that is, to being a file server. Also, notice that many routers/modems in themselves allow you to attach storage devices to them. You should check if your own router has a usb-port and the possibility to attach storage. Then you don't even need a Raspberry pi.

[ghans]

This is pretty easy to do , but will not fast.
You are additionally limited by your upload speed if you
have an asymmetric internet connection.

ghans

[RobHenry]

This is a very common use case for the raspberry pi and there are zillions of guides on the web to doing so. I have a pi set up this way with a 2TB HDD sharing various folders over samba (for Windows & Android clients) and NFS (for Linux clients). The speed is not great but is perfectly adequate for acting as a back up device and streaming audio, video and photos to other home devices. I also run a LAMP stack on the same device which is an adequate and low cost domestic web hosting solution.

[ghans]

Yes , it's a viable solution inside a LAN. Especially if
you have DLNA - capable devices it's a comfortable way
to centrally store your media and playback them
everywhere inside the LAN.

ghans

[Niteowl]

Oh yea my wireless modem is not USB compatible. Maybe I'll look into that. Might be a fun little project. Also a good platform to play with some Nodejs.

And yes by home internet I meant LAN lol

[tpylkko]

Well, then throw away your "wireless modem" and make a router from a pi that can also serve as a NAS.

[Niteowl]

My modem is provided by Bell and I believe that I require it to use their services. I don't believe they allow you to use a different modem than what is provided.

This being said, would Raspberry Pi 2 now be quick enough to do what I require it to? I know it was before, but I assume now 6x the speed will be much better.

This being said, I don't wish to rely on the drive to WORK FROM, simply just to use as cloud storage in-house or for the office (business owner).