You can certainly connect an external hard drive to the Music Server to back up your files, and the new unit does support USB drive mounting for music playback. Older MS-1/2 (the one that looks like a mAMP): -Automated backup via USB supported -Music playback via USB device *not* supported New MS-1 (with heatsinks on the sides): -Automated backup via USB supported -Drive mounting to a USB hard drive or flash drive supported as well