External Hard Drives and Safes

[NorCalNative]

I need to get a system in place to backup some data (mostly family pictures and movies). I'd like the storage device to live in the safe and to be accessed from there, so I think wifi is the way to go. The safe has a electrical outlet in it already.

Any recommendations for a drive for this? Will I need to also get some sort of antenna that goes to the outside of the safe in order to get reception? Would it be more reliable to run an eithernet cord back to the router (but worth it since wifi would certainly be an easier install)?

Thanks everyone!

[pterrell]

Running an Ethernet cord is always the most reliable. Wi-Fi may or may not penetrate your safe. Have you thought about cloud storage? There are a lot of options out there. You can typically get 1-2gb for free and it would survive a fire at your house far better than your gun safe.

[Satex]

Wifi from within a safe probably won't work, being that safes are good Faraday cages. Wired Ethernet is best as pterrell said. How about just backing up to a USB hard drive and storing it in the safe? Doing it every 2-4 weeks isn't too bothersome.

[NorCalNative]

I expect that the wifi signal would have trouble getting into the safe, which is why I'm trying to find an add-on antenna that routes outside the safe. I got the idea for this from Liberty Safe: http://www.libertysafe.com/accessories.php

They have a monitoring devise that links to a wifi system. "ANTENNA: In most cases, SAFELERT will connect with your wireless router (Wi-Fi system) with its internal antenna. In some cases where the Wi-Fi reception is minimal, Liberty has included an optional external antenna to connect to the device. Simply connect the external antenna to the SAFELERT device and run the wire through Liberty's new outlet kit (that has a built-in SAFELERT pass through port hole) or outside the safe door if you have an older safe."

I'd like to set this drive up for automatic backup and forget about it. I am not interested in a cloud system.

[CGT80]

Why not run a wireless router on top of the safe and run a USB 3.0 cable from the router to the hard drive that you place in the safe. They can take the router but not the drive. My router has the option to have a usb drive attached for network backup use. I have not used the option and don't know how the software would work out. My drive is buried/hidden in my desk and has the usb cord leading to the mini desktop unit. They can unplug all the cables and get the expensive computer and not know what is tied to the other end. I do like the idea of storing it in a safe while connected.

[jnk3030]

I would definitely run cat5e/cat6 into the Safe, so you can get reliable full 1Gbps speeds.

Then go with a Linux based NAS solution that ran do RAID5/6. I built my own, but there are many other vendors (such as Synology) which do it all for you. Just depends on your technical ability and time.

[NorCalNative]

^^^I think you're onto something, but relocating the main router isn't an option. A Netgear AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender would work though...

[the86d]

Maybe something like this?:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/seagate-central-2tb-personal-cloud-storage-external-hard-drive-nas-black/8808824.p?id=1218901227887&skuId=8808824&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=8808824&extensionType=pla_multichannel:g&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!58460710247!g!!52694329159&kpid=8808824&k_clickid=7078fb6a-b63d-4d86-93cc-7811eb562760&kpid=8808824&lsft=ref:212,loc:1&ksid=7078fb6a-b63d-4d86-93cc-7811eb562760&ksprof_id=8&ksaffcode=27&ksdevice=c

[jnk3030]

I really dislike single drive NAS solutions. Especially with the size of drives these days (and the inherent higher failure rate), it is important to have some protection against hardware failure.

[msternin]

I need to get a system in place to backup some data (mostly family pictures and movies). I'd like the storage device to live in the safe and to be accessed from there, so I think wifi is the way to go. The safe has a electrical outlet in it already.

Any recommendations for a drive for this? Will I need to also get some sort of antenna that goes to the outside of the safe in order to get reception? Would it be more reliable to run an eithernet cord back to the router (but worth it since wifi would certainly be an easier install)?

Thanks everyone!

Just my .02 cents, but an off-site back-up or multiple off-site back-ups are really your best bet. Services like Dropbox and other similar offerings are incredibly reliable and offer web-based and native smartphone/tablet applications to access your files anywhere you are.

In an ideal world, budget concerns aside, an onsite backup using a simple plug-and-play NAS solution coupled with one or more offsite products is a good way to go.

Another practical solution may be to simply back up your critical files to a CD/DVD, on a routine basis, and get them offsite. Safe deposit box if you have one, something like that. Not very expensive, but requires diligence and manual effort.

[Spyguy]

Realize that the more electrical items you place in your safe, the greater chance you have of an electrical fire within your safe.

[Montu]

Forget about wifi nas drives...wayy slow.


run a wire or go to off site backup or simply buy one of those water proof fire resistant backup drives...if your worried about the data encrypt it.

http://www.amazon.com/ioSafe-Fireproof-Waterproof-External-SH2000GB1YR/dp/B004D2MN42/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_2_0#customerReviews

[chiefcrash]

You can try a powerline network adapter: http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-PA4...5931277&sr=1-1

It uses the power wiring to provide networking, sort of like the home phone line networking the 2Wire DSL modems used to use

[AAShooter]

Several people report operating wireless connections just fine in their safes. It surprised me as well but they claim it to be reliable. YMMV

[NorCalNative]

Realize that the more electrical items you place in your safe, the greater chance you have of an electrical fire within your safe.

I agree , that's been on my mind too. At a minimum the electronics might have a problem with heat buildup.