Small business storage solution, LX195?

[ashura80b]

Hey fellas, I need some help figuring out what the best storage solution would be for my small business. It consists of 4 full-time staff (to be 6 in a few months) and 4 revolving part-time interns, all PCs. Our storage footprint is relatively pretty tiny at about 35GB. I've been thinking about the LX195 as a storage solution. From what I understand, with it I could:

1. Have a mapped network drive for our files
2. Restrict access to that drive to certain users (there's another organization on the same network that I wouldn't want accessing the LX195)
3. Allow remote access to those files via a URL
4. Use an external USB drive to occasionally backup our files
5. Use the Amazon S3 online backup option for a pretty small monthly fee

Am I wrong on any of those counts? Would you say the LX195 is a good fit for my needs?

Thanks!
ashura80b

 

[thiggins]

Windows Home Server based NASes are a good fit for Windows-centric environments. I think it could do all that you want. But be aware that your are limited to 10 user accounts (and 10 simultaneous users).

I'm also not sure that the Amazon S3 backup is still bundled supported. It was absent from the HP X510 that I just reviewed, which had the latest WHS install. But there is an Elephant Drive cloud backup option available.

 

[ashura80b]

Thanks for the response Tim. I know the newer HP options don't include Amazon S3 but I think the older ones still have it built in (ie. EX485/EX487). I guess I'll find out when I get the server.

One quick question about the user accounts, as I mentioned above we'll have at most 10 PCs/employees. Are the accounts I create for them what's used when logging in remotely? Also, can I set up a password protected guest account with full read/write privileges for remote access?

 

[thiggins]

One quick question about the user accounts, as I mentioned above we'll have at most 10 PCs/employees. Are the accounts I create for them what's used when logging in remotely? Also, can I set up a password protected guest account with full read/write privileges for remote access?

I believe that's the case. But I did not try it. The "guest" account would just be one of the 10 accounts.

 

[ashura80b]

Great, thanks so much for your help. Looks like the LX195 it is!

 

[ashura80b]

Follow up: I received and set up the LX195 and it's been working beautifully. It does in fact come with the Amazon S3 backup add in. For any small business buyers in a situation similar to myself, this is a great buy!

The only thing I'm unsure of now is the remote access. Do I have to worry about or do anything extra with regards to security if I were to set up and enable remote access?