This pic from Apples’ booth at NAB is a little over the top for most of us.

According to Think Secret:

Apple Inc.’s presence at the National Association of Broadcasters conference this week includes a mind-boggling on-site server demonstration comprised of 130 Xserve components and over 3 miles of fiber optic cable.

Very impressive but it does beg the question, what should the average Mac user have as Network storage for the ever increasing files created by bigger and better digital cameras, web design work, artwork files or even audio files created in the numerous small home based recording studios?

Big Trousers is currently assessing the various methods of Network attached storage as a way of providing large data storage and backup. We believe that from around $1400- $2500 a 1.0 to 2.0 Terrabyte NAS either as RAID or a simple storage volume is the way to go for most of us. This method is a lot less of a hassle than server based systems with attached RAID, and the access speed is perfectly suited to this task.

The Ethernet Disk RAID comes with Gigabit Ethernet interface plus robust data protection, four hot-swappable drives, and RAID 0, 1, 5, 5+spare, and 10 support. This essential network storage solution meets small business needs perfectly as a file-sharing server and central backup storage for multiple PCs. As a DHCP server with a second Ethernet port, it enables you to create your own local Gigabit network. User and group level authentication allows for securing data shares. With two USB 2.0 expansion ports, you can easily attach extra storage for expanding available capacity. The convenient email notification reports system errors, and it comes with an easy-to-use setup Wizard and Windows® Client Backup and Recovery software.

The pic above shows the LaCie 1.0 TB RAID that we can supply at $2000 and would be the perfect solution in a 1 - 4 person media office providing both storage and backup over gigabit connection. It will also provide a small Gigabit network but most will need a Gigabit switch, all PowerMacs from around 2002 have Gigabit cards as standard as do iMacs from 2005.