Advantages: Easy access to files, claim back computer hard drive space Disadvantages: Not as fast as a USB2 or Firewire hard drive
to wireless use, whereby if your NAS is attached to a wireless router, then the content can also be accessed wirelessly.
Over the past week I have been testing the LinkStationLive from Buffalo Technologies. It is availble in sizes up to 1TB. This compact box contains a SATA hard drive and sports a nice front panel with informative status LED's up front. Around the back of the unit you plug in your power cable (the power supply is in the unit itself, so no external brick). The back also sports the 10/100/1000 Mbps ethernet socket, so it is nice to see that Gigabit speeds are supported. When viewing the back you can also see a vent, behind this hides a tiny fan for cooling purposes. In use, you can definitely hear the fan, but is is very quiet, so not intrusive at all. There is also a USB 2.0 port, which is great. It allows you to plug ...
Advantages: Quiet, fast, small, easy to set up, easy to use Disadvantages: Err.......
the average hardback book. A little heavier, but I think that's forgiveable.
A quick read of the very basic printed manual, and the device was plugged in.
It's important to realise at this stage that the linkstation is Network Attached Storage, and not just an external hard disk. It needs to be connected to a router, and it needs to be connected by an ethernet cable. Fortunately Buffalo have thought to provide one. Even better, it's a flat one, so will happily run under your carpet if so required. Both Euro and GB type wall plugs are included, as is a CD with software on it.
It looks ok as well, although that's fairly subjective really. I wouldn't mind it sitting on the bookcase in full view, but my wife would.
Setup
Without any intervention at all, it picked up it's IP address from the router, installed itself on the network ...
Advantages: Reliable, Quiet and Fast Disadvantages: None as of yet
An excellent storage facility, I have been using the Baffalo brand for a number of years now and still use my original 80g unit. Other brands I have used have gone under, causing me to lose some data, so I up to now have no reason to doubt Baffalo's reliability, which is my main concern when choosing storage. Even with a few clumsy people around the place it has handed a few knocks and tumbles with no drama.
The newer linkstations have become quieter and faster as they develop, which I think says a lot about Baffalo as a company, in terms of the effort they put into developing their products. I also like the sleek yet robust design, as mentioned they have a good sturdy feel.
It is simple to use straight out of the box and easily intergrated into a network, primarily used as back-up in my case. ...
Product Information for "Buffalo LinkStation Live HS-DH750GL" »
Manufacturer's product description
The easy to use LinkStation Live Multimedia Storage Server is perfect whenever you need dependable network data storage. All computers on your network can share files on this versatile, flexible, and simple NAS. In addition to its storage capabilities, it can stream multimedia to a PC, a Mac, a Buffalo LinkTheater, and other DLNA Certified media players. The LinkStation Live seamlessly integrates with iTunes and allows you to access your music files on the LinkStation from your iTunes software. Best suited for homes or small businesses who need a central location for files that all devices on the network can share.
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