The best way to store bits in a safe?

[TastySHeriff]

This is probibly the most random forum question ove ever posted, but:

I have my computers networked and i currently use one hard drive on one "server" to store all of my sensitive/unreplaceable data. I also have a large gun safe, which i dont use for anything but papers and my laptops. I would like to be able to store all of this data in that safe, while keeping it connected to the network at all times. My question is:
What is the best way to keep my data in this safe? Im not aware of any way to network a single hard drive, without putting it in a computer. So, i think my options are A) Run a USB line from a computer outside the safe to the drive, or B) Put a computer in the safe, and make it run with low heat and little ventilation.
Of course money is factor, but for the sake of argument lets pretend its not. What do you think i should do?

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[Crashman]

About 6 months ago, Toms Hardware (I believe their networking arm) did a review on a wireless hard drive controller! It's just a box that contains basically an IDE controller, some simple network hardware, and a small processor. I believe it also had a 10/100 connector.

So yes, you can have a network drive without the computer.

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[folken]

Whether it is in a safe or not a single hd isn't that great of a place to put sensetive data. After loosing lots of my sensitive data I put together a file server in my house with a redundant array of hard drives. That way in the event of hard drive failure data is not lost. Depending on how much space you need/want a small home file server will be under $1000 (it will go over if you want multiple terabytes).

You could then run power and ethernet cable into the safe (or put a wifi card in the server). If it is a big safe a small computer shouldn't have to much of a heat problem.

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

 

[slvr_phoenix]

About 6 months ago, Toms Hardware (I believe their networking arm) did a review on a wireless hard drive controller! It's just a box that contains basically an IDE controller, some simple network hardware, and a small processor. I believe it also had a 10/100 connector.

So yes, you can have a network drive without the computer.

Yeah. That would have been my suggestion too.

There's one thought nagging at me though. Wireless probably won't work through a safe and who wants to drill a hole into a safe? I mean wouldn't that make it an un-safe? (Bad pun, I know, but you get the idea.)

I think hiding a wireless 2.5" hard drive in the wall (grabbing power from a splice at a nearby power box) would be a better idea. Granted, you'd have to tear up a wall to install it and then put the wall back and paint and stuff to cover it. But who'd think to look for a hard drive in a wall? **ROFL**

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[over_c]

A simpler method of conserving this data would be a cheap computer in your gun safe with no connection to the outside world. Then you just connect this computer to your normal outside computer whenever you feel the need and backup your data to it. This way multiple hard drives/computers need to fail for you to lose your data, and you will still have constant unfettered access to the data as well.

The computer in the safe could be built as cheaply as possible, save for a hard drive of the necessary size, and would not have be turned on except when data was being transferred to it (say, every night, week, etc). If you really wanted to go a little nuts you could put RAID arrays in each.

To go even further, put a computer at a friends house, connect it to a network and then backup your data every night. The only way to lose data then is by simultaneous crises, or a nuke.

 

[_WW_]

What is this? Some kind of joke?

I also have a large gun safe, which i dont use for anything but papers and my laptops.

Put the data on the laptops since they are in the safe already.

For ultra security put the data on a small piece of paper and eat it...

....WW (5.0)

 

[Guest]

Lol

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[TastySHeriff]

My laptop(s) come and go with me as i need them, but if they get stolen (or forgotten in a hotel room, which is most likely)i definitely dont want all my data backed up on it. And if im going to move my server into the safe, i figured id keep the drives as they are (except maybe RAID em, but $300 for 2 more 200G hard drives might have to wait) and keep my music and other media files that my server also serves. If im lucky, the RIAA/FBI wont notice the extra connection on my ethernet switch . Id need it to be on 24/7 to meet my demand for movies/music/etc. Id also probibly pull together $250 for a cheap mobo/processor/case. Any specific suggestions on how to keep the heat down? I dont know if its very possible/would help much, but underclocking?

Oh, and a note, a safe is still safe if it has a 3/8" hole in it. I just dont know how much i wanna spend on the drill bits ill bust.

AthlonXP "Barton" 2500+
Soyo KT400 Dragon Ult. Plat.
2x512MB OCSystem RAM
Sapphire Radeon 9500Pro
-Other Stuff Varies-

 

[folken]

If you want to keep heat down you will have to reduce power consumption. Via Epia is the way to go Extremely small form factor, very little power consumption.

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

 

[_WW_]

So...I suppose encryption isn't going to work for you then. No body wants to download porn they can't watch.

If the FBI wants to get in your safe, they will get in your safe.

Since you are willing to cut holes in your safe cut a couple of three inchers and duct cool air to the machine and warm air out.

....WW (5.0)