What box do I need to put hard-drives in?
 

I got a few IDE drives I'd like to stick in a box and connect to my router so that I can share it with my other computers. What inexpensive box do I need to get the job done properly?

I just get an external hard drive kit from ebay and hook it into my desktop, then set the drives to share on the network

you can get any standard external hard drive kit though

There is some network ready drives on ebay too...Get one that has ethernet...you'll thank yourself later

I'd like to hook it up to the router, I got external drives hook up my computer already.

Netgear has a product that does what you want, but you can only use 2 hard drives per unit. At $100 a pop, it seems a little pricey for only 2 drives.

Just get some used (=cheap) stuff to build a "file-server", give it at least
256MB so You can install Windows on it.

It's probably enough with a normal sized tower case to fit at least 5 harddrives
in it (You can get a few cheap HDD-racks to mount them in the 5.25" drivebays).

And if the motherboard doesn't have enough connectors for 4+ drives,
just get a cheap ATA133 or S-ATA controller (PCI-card) for more.

Then, as long as there's ethernet/network in the machine (built-in or a PCI-card)
You can plug it up to Your router, configure a bit and let it go to work. :thumbsup
Imagine 5 * 300GB-drives... *drool*

I got one last year for about $120 CDN... It's plugged into my router and I could plug it into any computer via USB 2 as well... It was just called "LanDrive".. It's worked well for me but I just use it to store bulk content.

:thumbsup looks like what i'm looking for.

Sounds more complicated and more expensive than just getting a box and sticking a few hardrives;)

Yep.... but it probably depends on what you really want... his solution would be great for an office or if you never plan on moving the HDs around... The other one that accepts 2 drives is getting a bit bulky for moving around and also requires a software install.. I wanted flexibility so the one I bought is more like a cover for the HD, a bit longer.. doesn't require any special software and I can plug it into any computer I want via ethernet or USB 2.

how so? That is exactly what was described :error

For one, a Window license is more expensive than two boxes.

I heard bad review about the Netgear SC101. Apparently, it gets hotter than a toster after a few hours of use and there are lots of bugs in it!