[Shop-talk] Installing a Network device in a safe.

[w]

On 12/30/2013 3:58 PM, eric at megageek.com wrote:
> OK, so while I was looking at high end gun safes, I noticed that they now
> come with a RJ45 passthrough as well as 110v AC inside.  I was told this
> was so you could put a network storage device (NAS) in it to keep your
> data safe as well.

Interesting question. I'd guess a safe is one helluv'a thermal 
insulator, so I'm thinking you do not want to put active electronics in 
it. I think current hard drives pull 2 - 10 watts depending on level of 
activity. But I built a media server specifically trying to keep it low 
power, and the dang thing still pulls 66 watts from the wall with a Core 
2 based 34W Celeron and only two drives. With my local utility, rates 
work such that 1W = just under $1/year.

I'm an IT pro and have had to deal with backups for decades. I don't 
really see an individual or family having that much data or need for 
immediate recovery. I segregate my stuff into different directories. The 
critical stuff 7'Zips & ImgBurns onto one DVD. I'd like to backup my 
collection of music ripped from 30 years of CDs, but... other media, 
meh. Can be replaced. Unless you have a ton of family photos or such 
that are irreplaceable.

I'd think some low power "near line" storage like a flash drive, and use 
something to mirror it, like unix rsync or windows SyncToy could work.

> My question is, is there enough air flow in a safe to have a few hard
> drives running in there?  I have a Seagate BlackArmor 4 TB NAS that I want

What are you trying to protect from? Fire? Theft? Any air flow would 
compromise fire protection. Rambling on too long.

-w