Hi, I have a network at home with 3 computers. I want a 'file server' but preferably not in the traditional sense. Do external hard drives with a direct ethernet interface (my network is a wired ethernet 100mbps) exist. My idea was to hook it up to the 4th port on my router, a linksys BEFSR41, and share files on my network. Is this possible? Or do external hard drives require a PC to read them? ED

I don't think so. If they do, then they are very rare.

Did you consider a barebone pc to act as a file server? All it needs to do is make a hdd go round in circles and have an ethernet connection. Like a Shuttle Mini PC? Less than $200 bucks.

Hi Skipcox, A barebones system like this, all it needs is a motherboard, the hdd for the files, a crappy duron processor, and an even crappier graphics card, or can it just sit there without a monitor?

I don't see it needing a monitor. I'd give it a kvm switch to make booting and maintenance easier. Hopefully, you can locate close to a workstation and when you need input devices and a monitor just use the workstation stuff. Minimal downtime for the workstation and not a bunch of input devices and monitor taking up space and getting kicked around the office.

Swimfast64: Yes, they do exist, but they are expensive (for personal use.) The ones I am somewhat familiar with are called "Snap Servers". Their webpage is here: http://www.snapappliance.com/ CDW lists an 80Gig Snap Server here: http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?ProductID=443069 for $640. I found the same model on Pricewatch for as low as $533. Initially to set it up on the network parameters you use their software. After the network parameters are set, then you can configure the rest by logging onto the "server" with a web browser .

Ha, that sounds like my Linksys router!