Multiple Laptop Set up

BFBW

Grumpy_chap said:

Grumpy_chap said:

My NAS is a WD Western Digital My Cloud.

Grumpy_chap said:

This is the NAS that I have:


EDIT - I found the link from when I purchased the NAS through Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FOKN7D8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

So, this afternoon my NAS (as above) started to become temperamental.

Obviously, this is an essential device and critical if it fails completely.  It would not allow access at all across the network or via USB but does allow serviceable access if plugged directly into the network port of the computer (though that prevents use of other network services).  To allow it to reset, I have unplugged overnight.

My Amazon account history shows that I purchased the NAS in January 2016, so this is quite an old device now, and they are plugged in and powered up 24-7 so that is quite hard I guess.

In the scheme of things, NAS drives are relatively low cost.  Am I wise to simply consider that as soon as it starts to get temperamental, it is time to simply go for a new NAS?

I like the simplicity of using the current NAS as a home network device.
I never really got the remote access via the web working as it should have.
Backup from the current NAS was never simple.

Can the intelligent minds of this forum give any suggestions as to a suitable replacement device or other next steps to ensure my data is secure?

Cloud Storage is not a replacement for a NAS, it's Belt and Braces.
Get another NAS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/computers/20631350031/ add a couple of reliable drives and copy your stuff over. 

Grumpy_chap

Thanks, am I correct that cloud storage would not allow me to swap files with Mrs G_C?
On the NAS, we can both access the same folders so file exchange is simple.

Grumpy_chap

NAS drives seem to have changed since we purchased the current device.
That was a simple item purchased as one thing that really just worked straight out of the box - all I had to do was create and map the drives.  

The items now seem to be that you buy a case and then buy the storage drives separately.  All more complicated and more expensive.  The big advantage is that the devices have the drive that is used plus a second ghost drive that dynamically mirrors the first so better security in the event of hardware failure.

Maybe I will need to visit the local independent IT store rather than simply buying something from Amazon.

Vitor

- cloud storage would not allow me to swap files with Mrs G_C? -

Cloud storage does allow that (I can only speak for OneDrive); by logging into OneDrive with the same account you can can sync, edit and upload files from multiple devices inc. mobis when out and about.

The free tier gives you 5GB, Basic at £20 a year gives 100GB then Personal give 1TB plus all the Office Suite of apps.

Grumpy_chap

Vitor said:

Cloud storage does allow that (I can only speak for OneDrive); by logging into OneDrive with the same account you can can sync, edit and upload files from multiple devices inc. mobis when out and about.

I have poor prior experience with One Drive - stuff just disappears and you have no idea where it is.

Also, I am G_C@outlook.com and my wife is Mrs G_C@outlook.com
To share via OneDrive, I think you are saying we would have to be just one account Mr&Mrs G_C@outlook.com
No good if I am buying my wife a surprise present...

I think I may have found an item that is "out of the box ready"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Synology-DS223J-Bay-Desktop-White/dp/B0CDQ3RVQ1?th=1

Grumpy_chap

I have ordered the NAS linked in my post above - it should arrive by Monday.

EnPointe

Neil_Jones said:

Um... I don't follow.

If your clients use their own laptops, why do you need a KVM switch?

the OP is supplied a machine by  their client  for work on the contract  with that client 

it appears the OP has a desk setup at home that is  organised around  connecting / docking  a laptop to  external Screen(s)  full size  keyboard  , mouse / trackball etc 

OP 

USB-C docking station  assuming the  laptops supplier by the client are of sufficiently  new   / high spec 

Grumpy_chap

EnPointe said:

Neil_Jones said:

Um... I don't follow.

If your clients use their own laptops, why do you need a KVM switch?

the OP is supplied a machine by  their client  for work on the contract  with that client 

it appears the OP has a desk setup at home that is  organised around  connecting / docking  a laptop to  external Screen(s)  full size  keyboard  , mouse / trackball etc 

OP 

USB-C docking station  assuming the  laptops supplier by the client are of sufficiently  new   / high spec 

And the Greathtek USB 2.0 KVM Switch 4-Port that I purchased via Amazon is doing a sterling job in that regard.

Grumpy_chap

Grumpy_chap said:

I have ordered the NAS linked in my post above - it should arrive by Monday.

The NAS drive package arrived yesterday afternoon and I spent today setting it up.
It was mostly straightforward apart from an unusual way to have to map the network drives but, once one drive was mapped, I could use the standard windows explorer route to map the drives on other machines.

flaneurs_lobster

Grumpy_chap said:

Also, I am G_C@outlook.com and my wife is Mrs G_C@outlook.com
To share via OneDrive, I think you are saying we would have to be just one account Mr&Mrs G_C@outlook.com
No good if I am buying my wife a surprise present...

One way to do this is to have a folder on Onedrive (it's the same on Google Drive and no doubt other Clouds) that you grant access to. This access is given to individuals via their Outlook Ids. Can be read-only but full access can be given,