Disk Management and Backups

[adamspade]

Hello,

First off, here's my main questions and then I will explain my situation for whatever feedback anybody has to offer.

1. Is there a disk management application in development?
2. Is there a simple way, without using command line, for the Amahi server to back itself up to external disks or another HDA, as you like to call it.
3. During install, does it (or can it) format all drives connect for use on the HDA?

I setup Amahi on a 2tb drive. The install went great and I really like it so far. I need a LOT more space though.

Here's my situation. I am a composer and media specialist. I deal with very large files and work on both Microsoft and Apple systems, though my personal computer is Ubuntu. I need to be able to add and move hard drives on the fly, create and move share folders, and I can't afford to have down time.

Ideally, I would like to have 2 HDA's.

1. For backing up home computers and hosting share folders.
2. For backing up the first HDA as a mirror, in the event that one system would go down.

Is this setup something that can be easily done with Amahi or is that going to require time and knowledge of the command line + luck? And if this is not an easy task, how long before Amahi is capable of achieving this fresh out of the can?

Thanks so much for you time.

Cheers,
Adam

[bigfoot65]

1. Is there a disk management application in development?

It's on the list, but unsure if we will have anything stable in the next few months for release. It's all command line now, which sounds complicated, but it's not really. The wiki gives step by step instructions.

2. Is there a simple way, without using command line, for the Amahi server to back itself up to external disks or another HDA, as you like to call it.

There is an app called CrashPlan that some use. It's not ready for Amahi 7 though. Currently I do not believe there are any web apps that will do what you desire.

3. During install, does it (or can it) format all drives connect for use on the HDA?

Not recommended as it may cause problems with Amahi later. Best to follow the wiki guidance for adding additional drives after Amahi is installed.

Ideally, I would like to have 2 HDA's.

it's currently not possible to run two HDAs on the same subnet. That is something we have on the list for future development. You can have two, with only one running at a time though.

It sounds by your desires that Amahi may not meet your needs. Obviously that is your choice, but your requirements exceed what Amahi is currently capable to provide. Will it meet those needs one day, absolutely but I feel it's several months away at least.

[adamspade]

Thanks for the response.

I read the Wiki. Adding the Hard Drives doesn't look too intimidating to me. Remembering how to do it and in a rush is my problem. If I had more free time I would be a Linux hack and would enjoy using the command line, but I'm a composer. I need things simplified so I can concentrate on my work.

I'll probably just leave it as is for now and give Amahi a shot as a backup and printer server for now to get familiar with it. It's more of a toy to me than a solid solution yet. I may need to stick with WHS for a while longer until Amahi is at a place where I can make it my only server.

Hopefully some of these issues will be at the top of the Amahi teams list. I believe Amahi could be very successful with these few important issues resolved. I like it and I wish it and the team luck.


Cheers

[bigfoot65]

Understand. Some of these will hopefully make it to production this year, but hard to say. There are so many things on our list.