https://nextcloud.com

well documented, open source, and well made (from my point of view)

On Sun, Dec 8, 2024 at 3:50 PM David Schwartz via PLUG-discuss <
plug-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org> wrote:

> What sort of options are available for creating something that works like
> Dropbox only just on your local network?
>
> Dropbox works ok, but it sort of requires files to be duplicated inside of
> all of the local machines. I want my project-related files all stored in
> one place, not inside of different machines, because I’m at the point where
> I’ve got tools that run on one or another machine that can’t be upgraded
> further without a big cost, while the existing ones still work just fine
> for my needs. Also, I don’t want to have to pay for multiple licenses for
> something (eg., MS Office) when I can just use one machine for that.
>
>
> I’ve got two older Intel-based Mac Minis, a new (M4) one on order, and
> just got a little Dell Optiplex box; I want them all to be able to access a
> common file-store in order to share files. I also want to be able to use my
> various mobile devices to connect to the local WiFi hub to see them if
> needed. (Maybe I could use the Optiplex for that since it’s intended to be
> a server anyway. It needs to run Windows tho.)
>
> I also have a small 4GB Samsung T-9 that’s fast enough that it performs
> like a local SSD storage when connected to a USB 3.2 Gen2 port. I want to
> make it visible to all of the machines, and be able to add more in the
> future as my needs expand. (This thing is the size of a stack of 10 credit
> cards.)
>
>
> In a perfect world, there would be something like a USB port multiplexer
> with USB 3.2 Gen-2 plugs on two sides that lets you plug in some external
> USB drives on one side and computer USB connections (or just an ethernet
> cable) on the other side. Each computer would be able to see each of the
> USB drives and interact with them as if they were all plugged into each
> machine. I’m not aware anything like this exists.
>
> Maybe I could hang something off of the main router? But then it’s just
> another machine acting as a file store, like a NAS, but it needs to be
> really simple and just look like other mounted drives, like how we used to
> see drives on file servers 20 years ago (F:, G:, H:)
>
> But if I plug it into the switch in my office that’s also plugged into the
> main router (via wire) then that’s the same thing.
>
> Are there any appliances that fit this use-case that don’t cost very much?
> Or could one be built fairly easily?
>
> -David Schwartz
>
>
>
>
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-- 
A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from
rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

Stephen