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Portable, Wireless File Server for the Car?

Posted by Cliff on from the your-files-as-mobile-as-you-are dept.

Kerhop wonders: "I'm looking to implement an off-site file storage location but want it to be convenient for me to access with the right security credentials by placing a portable file server in my car that has at 802.11b ability and is battery powered (but also recharged via cigarette lighter adapter). I've found the Sony FSV-PGX1. I am curious, though -- what solutions have others found?"

23 comments

  1. As seen on Slashdot: by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 2, Insightful


    Here you go.

    Knock yourself out.

    --
    ____

    ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

    1. Re:As seen on Slashdot: by licamell · · Score: 1

      You know this thing only runs on the batteries for around 9-10 minutes right? The battery support is really only there as a sort of UPS system, it was not designed to be run as a portable independent unit with no power source for any long period of time.

  2. laptop, Archos by cahiha · · Score: 2, Informative

    You could just use a laptop; they have everything you need, and you should be able to get something suitable for under $1000.

    Archos also has a media player based on Linux with 802.11b built in (I believe it comes in 40G and 100G versions); if you want something really small, that's your best bet. But it's probably also a little more work to configure than a laptop, and not much cheaper.

  3. How DIY are you? by Jjeff1 · · Score: 1

    You can do something like laptop with wireless card in it.
    Or you can hook a NAS box up to a wireless/ethernet bridge. Use an inverter for power.

    Heck, you can disconnect your trunk release and hook it up to a relay, so you can turn on the storage with your car's remote control.

    Your other worry is going to be speed. Even with 802.11g at 54 MB, you'll never really get more than 34 Mb or so, even if your car is parked literally on top of the AP. How much data are you backing up in what timeframe?

    Have you considered removeable media? Like tape? Not as flashy, but much more proven. If you ever NEED those backups and discover problems with them, you'll have an easier time explaining things to the bosses.

    1. Re:How DIY are you? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Have you considered removeable media? Like tape? Not as flashy, but much more proven. If you ever NEED those backups and discover problems with them, you'll have an easier time explaining things to the bosses.
      And never underestimate the throughput of a car-full of [tapes|CD-ROMs|hard disks|DVDs]. 54 Mb/s by wireless or a 200 GB disk / 20 minutes removal and carrying to/from the car = 166.7 MB/s? Depends on if you are unionized or otherwise paid by the hour, right? :) You're driving there and already copying the data to your portable file server, anyway, so the only delay will be the transportation into the new building and the installation/removal of the disk from your computer at work.
    2. Re:How DIY are you? by Stevyn · · Score: 1

      not to nitpick, but you could probably do it without the inverter. A cigarette lighter connector and a voltage regulator could probably do the job well enough and make it a little more efficient. A lot cheaper too.

      You could also hook it to your car stereo if it has an amp turn on signal. This way it would start and stop with the head unit.

  4. Reminds me of a yard sale today by Odocoileus · · Score: 1

    This is interesting because I bought a solar panel that plugs into your cigarette lighter today for $2 at a yardsale, and I was thinking: How can I give myself an excuse to require using this solar panel?

    --
    ...
    1. Re:Reminds me of a yard sale today by iibagod · · Score: 2, Funny

      so you have to plug the solar panel into your lighter to get it to work? No wonder it was only $2.

      Now if you get me one that can send power TO the car instead of requiring power FROM the car, I might consider it.

    2. Re:Reminds me of a yard sale today by shaka999 · · Score: 1

      I sure hope this was supposed to be a funny reply.

      --
      One should not theorize before one has data. -Sherlock Holmes-
  5. TiVo Hack? by Stigmata669 · · Score: 1

    This sounds like a perfect occasion to hack a tivo, at least depending on the size backup you are expecting. A series2 tivo accepts a USB WiFi dongle and a 120gb hd, running on a very low power computer. Much cheaper than buying some commercial solution if you don't mind getting into the guts of the box.

    --
    Yawn.
    1. Re:TiVo Hack? by firebeaker · · Score: 1

      That's USB 1.1.... Mucho slow.

      --
      -beaker
    2. Re:TiVo Hack? by Pendragn_tk · · Score: 1

      Mucho wrongo. Most Series 2 TiVos and DTiVos have USB 2.0 ports. If you're going to go to all the trouble of hacking it for storage, certainly you'll be able to load the USB 2.0 drivers and take advantage of that too. tk

  6. mac mini? by Goeland86 · · Score: 1

    I've read numerous reports of people embedding a mac mini in their car to use as mp3 players and the most advanced even use gps and map software to figure out directions... Now you could do that and get yourself a bigger usb-powered external hard drive to use as fileserver... OSX is stable, relatively secure and supports the wireless networks. That's my idea... total price: ~ $700 if you install everything yourself.

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    ---- I am certain of only one thing : I know nothing else.
  7. Old technology by icemann476 · · Score: 1

    Maybe it's just me, but wasn't that product released in 2003? Why is there an article posting to /. about really old technology?

  8. I have a Stompbox in my car... by Phredd · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I have a Stompbox in my car...

    http://homepage.mac.com/frednix/PhotoAlbum21.html

    It automatically boots up and links in to a cellular data service, turning itself into an access point. Turn on your laptop, join the network and voila -- you're on the net! It's just like using a hotspot (such as they have at Starbucks and airports), but it goes anywhere you car goes. Some people have even hauled them around in backpacks to make themselves into a walking network access site. (http://www.stompboxnetworks.com/)

    I have been very happy with the service. I am considering putting a harddrive in it as it runs on a CF Card now.

    It is only ON durning the day, but the website hosted in my trunk is http://honda.getmyip.com/

    --
    Phredd - "I have found people tend to take you far less seriously once you start waving your genitals at them..."
  9. A simple hackable linux solution by delirium+of+disorder · · Score: 1

    Check out the Asus WL-HDD. It runs Linux and you can upload different firmware's for additional features (ssh or NFS access for example).

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Subm it=Go&DEPA=0&type=&description=asus+wl-hdd&Categor y=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

    You will need to hook it up to an car inverter (12VDC to 120VAC), since it is NOT battery powered.

    --
    ------ Take away the right to say fuck and you take away the right to say fuck the government.
    1. Re:A simple hackable linux solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You could use a DC to DC Power supply

    2. Re:A simple hackable linux solution by forq · · Score: 1


      The WRT router platform only requires 1000mA of 12VDC, so you could likely get away with very little in the way of power coversion.... conditioning the power to be consistent, and not affected by your lead-foot (revving the alternator), is a different story...

      Anyone have any ideas on this?

  10. Downside by snafumedia · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...You must convert all files to ATRAC.

  11. A little elbow grease & $200. by forq · · Score: 1

    Pick yourself up the following:

    1x Asus WL-500g Wireless Broadband Router
    1x USB HD Chassis
    1x Hard Drive (Old/New, as long as it goes in chassis)
    Visit: http://openwrt.org/

    Assemble the USB HD chassis, Re-Flash the Asus router to run Linux using OpenWRT, attach the storage to one of the two USB ports on the router platform, configure the Linux platform to be whatever type of fileserver/access-point/bridge/nfs/cifs/web server you want it to be....

    Now, all you need is a method of powering this on the road. The router platform requires 12VDC 1000mA, and the USB HD chassis vary, but are usually in the range of 5VDC 2A + 12VDC 2A. The easiest out is to use a power inverter to ramp your cars output up to 120VAC, and then use the transformer bricks from the equipment to convert it back down, but then you'd just be a lazy twat wasting your money. Pick up a book on electricity and visit an electronics component store, and build yourself some power conversion circuitry. You'll be much prouder when you don't spend $40 on an inverter, and can prove you know sort of what is going on.

    Voila. You've got yourself

  12. Insured? by vwjeff · · Score: 1

    It is only ON durning the day, but the website hosted in my trunk is http://honda.getmyip.com/ [getmyip.com] I hope you have insurance because your car just got /.ed Fire damages are covered by most policies.

  13. Asus Wireless harddrive case by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://www.pcquest.com/content/web/2005/105021002. asp

    This is pretty cool, I have one.