Macbook Pro Storage -- NAS or ESATA

[kriskexplorer]

Hello,
I will be making the switch from a Windows Desktop to a Macbook Pro. This way I can make the switch to mac and get portable between home and the studio. A Macpro will come sometime next year.

Anyway I am in need of a good way for file storage. I shoot all in raw with a 5D and 1DMIII and the files I like to have at least 2 copies of all pictures. I have a 2 Bay ESATA Drive by Firmtek that I will reuse with an ExpressCard. I 500GB drives for this. I figure I would make these the working drives.

My problem is what to do after that. Do I add a NAS device and run Raid 5 and offload client files to it or just keep adding drives to the current ESATA setup since the drives are swapable?

Does anyone have any suggestions or has something that seems to work without breaking the bank?

Also how long do you keep client files or how long before they just go to DVD only?

[AndrewRodney]

I'm running a Sonnet 5 Fusion D500 drive Raid (two mirrored, one not) using a SATA adaptor also from Sonnet on the MacBook Pro. Works like a charm, wasn't too expensive.

Sonnet: Products & Solutions - Fusion Family

[kriskexplorer]

Originally Posted by AndrewRodney

I'm running a Sonnet 5 Fusion D500 drive Raid (two mirrored, one not) using a SATA adaptor also from Sonnet on the MacBook Pro. Works like a charm, wasn't too expensive.

Sonnet: Products & Solutions - Fusion Family

Thanks for the reply. Is the raid done via OSX or is it done in the Sonnet?

[AndrewRodney]

OS X Disk Utility.

[Charles Gervais]

I have the same setup, though I run it on a G5 desktop machine.

I don't know if it'll be of interest, but I wrote a detailed summary of my search for storage here:

experiences with deciding on, choosing & setting up a 5-bay SATA enclosure - MacNN Forums

Cheers!

Chas