NETGEAR RR3312G6-10000S 72TB (12 x 6TB) ReadyNAS 3312 Series Network Attached Storage
my buddy works at a research lab and they need a way to connect three computers to some sort of storage. I was thinking he could get a rack and put this baby in, then run cat6 from each computer to it, and that would be fine? or would he need a switch or router? please help!
also u will need a router to direct traffic where data are going to/from.
Are the PCs already connected to a network? If the lab already has gigabit ethernet service, you'd connect one of those ethernet ports to the NAS. If the connections are all in use, you'd need a gigabit switch - connecting at least one of the PCs and the NAS to that switch (plus the ethernet that the PC was using before).
If the lab network is only 100 mbit, get a gigabit switch to connect the PCs and the NAS through that (again connecting the lab network to the same switch) - it will give you better local speeds.
If there is no wired network there now, then you do need a router. A four-port gigabit home router will be enough for 3 PCs and the NAS, so you could avoid getting a switch if that's all you need.
NETGEAR RR3312G6-10000S 72TB (12 x 6TB) ReadyNAS 3312 Series Network Attached Storage
Likely this is overkill, there are smaller and less expensive rackmount units (and desktop units) that might be more suitable. Though of course that does depend on how much data they are collecting
