Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
Are you sure about that for Mac? I don't remember us having any problems accessing the same drive from more than one Mac at a time through the AirPort Extreme.
|
Read closer...I said
unless there is some sort of server...I hadn't fully done my research, but if multiple people can access the attached drives at once, then the AirPort Extreme is functioning as a standalone file server--incidently, from my cursory web searches, it seems like it will work with both PC's and Mac.
You can also build a file server, buy another brand of standalone file server, or buy a harddrive with a built-in file server.
If you want a low cost DIY option, build an $80 file server:
http://jonpeck.blogspot.com/2006/11/...ver-in-45.html
If you want to buy a ready-made option, get a Linksys NSLU2 standalone file server:
http://www.superwarehouse.com/p.cfm?p=372971
If you haven't bought an external hard drive yet, buy a network accessible shared storage drive. Here's a Maxtor for $160:
http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/H01P200
Remember, these are all options which will require you to have a fully functional network, so you'll need a multiport router, or a wireless router and wireless capability on all devices and your file server, in addition to the file server itself. The cheapest overall option, assuming no network is in place, and the one that I thought most closely matched the original poster's question, was to buy a switch.