Ideal or ‘best practice’ in regard to USB storage solutions

[sitchensis]

Hello all,

I am almost there in terms of purchasing a Sheevaplug for use with a Squeezebox to run the associated SqueezeBoxServer in an “always-on” situation. I plan to connect the Sheevaplug to my wireless router and then connect a USB drive to the Sheevaplug.

I would like to clear something up before I buy however. Can anyone clarify what is the ideal or ‘best practice’ in regard to USB storage solutions for the Sheevaplug?

I have a 250 gb 2.5” harddrive in an external enclosure which of course draws power through the USB connection. This is a small and neat storage solution for my music library. However I’m concerned from this forum and other sources that there may be issues with USB devices drawing too much power from the Sheevaplug which leads to overheating and then frying of the Sheevaplug? 

Is it best to have
1) a powered USB drive (running from mains),
2) a powered USB hub with the USB drive connected to that or
3) a USB drive drawing power straight from the Sheevaplug?

Would a SSD external drive prove more robust I wonder?
 
Thanks for your advice!
 

[peter a]

I would say ( 1 ) , But my advice is to get the Esata version, and get a self powered Esata drive

[sitchensis]

  Cheers Peter. Useful to have some feedback on this. I'd like to make the right choice!