Network Attached Storage – NAS
In an era where the use of high-resolution cameras for videos and pictures, and where there is a backlog of files processed, sent and recorded from time to time, the use of a secondary storage device has never been more important. While there are many external storage devices like external hard drive, flash drive, memory cards, etc. currently available for use, these devices most of the time are not 100% efficient. They require attachment to the computer or mobile device for them to be used. This may create inconvenience most times and may be a barrier for saving data at a particular time. The storage of your mobile device can get full, and you may back up your data on your external drive, but however, sometimes carrying these backup devices around may pose a serious level of inconvenience. You may be in a particular place away from home or office and may want to access the data you saved on your external backup device, but may be at the risk of allowing someone else access your information. This is where the use of a Network Attached Storage becomes very necessary. Network Attached Storage(NAS) are simply hard disk storage devices which can be connected to your home or office network. They allow numerous computers in a network to share the same storage space at the same time. Access to the NAS device is through a computer network (usually via TCP/IP) by being connected to the computer directly as an internal hard drive or external USB/SCSI drives. It can also be connected to Wi-Fi. The NAS devices have an IP address, and they are accessed by clients (Laptops or PCS) through a server that acts as a gateway to the data (this server is on the NAS device, and thereby NAS devices are often referred to as NAS servers).
In choosing the best NAS server for optimal result, storage capacity should be considered properly. The right storage space on your NAS device can help you achieve flexibility and efficiency. While there are many NAS servers which vary in size, choosing the right one that will suit your present and future need Is very paramount. For individual usage, 1TB is ok. For a family looking to back up their files, 1TB to 2TB should do the work. On the other hand, if you are the type of person who likes to have an extensive collection of files ranging from captured moments, videos or even downloaded stuff, then you can consider having a NAS server with 6 to 8TB. For a small office, business or workgroup, you can select a NAS with 10 to 20TB. As your business grows or as the need arises, you can move to NAS servers with larger storage space of 100TB and above. Choosing the right storage all depends on your needs and your financial capacity.
While there are a lot of NAS servers around, selecting the most suitable one for your needs is quite essential. These NAS reviews will help you choose the best NAS device for your various needs.
WD 4TB My Cloud Personal Network Attached Storage – NAS
WD 4TB, My Cloud Personal Network Attached Storage is a distinctive product which comes with unique properties that makes it one of the best single NAS drive system available in the market. It follows the line of previous WD My Cloud NAS servers of 2TB of 3TB that model after cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive.
The WD My Cloud is as capacious as any single drive backup solution currently available. It allows for automatic backups on Windows using its own Smartware software and for Macs, it makes use of TimeMachine. It features a single USB 3.0 port for attaching extra storage or for downloading videos or pictures directly from the camera. However, this USB connection does not support printer or network connectivity. It has a Gigabit Ethernet which read speeds at 73.92MB/s and writes at 71.9MB/s.
Moving to its design; the design is slick, and it is made of state of the art materials. The casing is sturdy, made of plastic which is sturdy, and it has a shiny look. The entire features of the WD My Cloud are simple. It focuses more on important functionalities like support for iTunes servers and DLNA, FTP, and UPnP. It also supports access by multiple users.
In addition to the grand design, and multiple user support, it allows for cloud storage and remote file access through iOS, Android, PC and Mac apps. These apps support file download, editing, and media stream. However, the obvious limitation is that the apps have no integrated media player so playback is restricted to only the formats your device supports. For Windows or Android devices, this isn���t a major problem, but for iOS, it is a major defect.
On the positive side, the mobile apps are compatible with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Skydrive, allowing users transfer and synchronize content between their personal Cloud and any existing storage services that they are already making use of. This feature is particularly useful for any sensitive data you might want to access at any time.
Hinting a little more on the hardware, the WD has a dual core processor that optimize the working pattern of this NAS server as a multifunctional device. Meanwhile, like every other multifunctional device, it comes with its limitations. The most apparent one of these limitations is that the My Cloud can���t back itself up because it is a single NAS drive system. This lack of redundancy may result in additional cost for those with valuable data. Although backup can be done through the USB or network storage as desired, this cannot be relied on.
Setting up this device is as easy as a plum. Once you get the device, you simply connect it to your router, power it on, download the My Cloud software from the website and follow the setup wizard carefully. With this, you can easily choose a username and password and add other users for remote access.
In conclusion, the WD 4TB My Cloud Personal Network Attached Storage is an excellent three-in-one device that encapsulates a backup storage, NAS Drive and cloud storage in a single device. It has a superb design, is easy to use and makes a little noise while in performance. Although it has some flaws which can be improved on, one cannot dispel the fact that it is an excellent device.
The Pros
��� Affordable price point
��� Robust personal cloud support
��� It is easy to use
��� The design is slick and up to modern day standard
��� The app support features give a better user interface
��� It supports web based tools
��� Fast gigabit networking under window shares
��� Fast file transfer with the USB 3.0
Cons
��� It is very slow when using it with Adobe
��� Displays content only by folders
��� Does not allow for streaming via the cloud
��� No BitTorrent support
��� Limited data redundancy because it has only one drive
��� No way to access admin securely outside network
Synology's DiskStation DS216j
Starting from its design, the DiskStation DS216j is simply a white plastic box that contains a circuit board, a power supply, space for two SATA hard drives and a fan. The two SATA hard drives- SATA II and SATA III are 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches respectively, and they work in line with the robust package of the NAS software.
While Synology sells a lot of NAS units, this particular model has 512MB of DDR3 RAM supplying data to a 32-bit,dual-core 1.0 GHz Marvell Armada processor. The chipset can allow for a maximum of 16TB, for example, a pair of 8TB HDDs, assembled in any number of RAID Configurations. Users can choose to put in data from a computer or an external hard drive using any of the two USB 3.0 port positions at the rear of the DS216j, next to the unit���s LAN port and the DC power input. However, if you want to connect wirelessly, you can plug in a Wi-fi dongle to one of the USB ports.
The chassis is a combination of sturdy metal and plastic design that splits in two for the NAS drive access. A Kensington lock slot is present on the metal side of the NAS server with its primary purpose being to secure the NAS. This lock secure the outside of the Network Attached Storage Server but do not protect the drives inside from theft.
There are LED lights also present on the front of the NAS server. These lights serve as indicators and notifyers of the working status of the NAS device.
Setting up the Synology DiskStation is very easy and straightforward. Once setup is done, the DSM makes configuration of your NAS environment (from network security to personal cloud syncing) easy.
The Synology DiskStation like most NAS products supports versatility. It allows the user to run the system in a collection of Raid configurations available. RAID 1 can be used for Redundancy and RAID 0 for the biggest storage and quickest access but no redundancy. In addition to this, the Synology DiskStation also features a Hybrid RAID, custom RAID configuration that is based on a RAID system from Linux. This help user gets a perfect blend of data protection and speed.
Another good part of the Synology DiskStation is that it can synchronize with your MAC computer, acting as a Time Machine backup which you can use to access files at any time you need them. It uses a DSM software which makes it easier to sectionalize the NAS storage space. That is, for instance, the virtual volume can be aligned to allocate 200GB to Windows, 500GB to simple file storage for Mac and the rest to Time Machine. This feature is another unique aspect of the Synology NAS server because it makes setting up a Time Machine as simple as ABC. Apart from synchronization of files between the Mac computers and other computers of the different operating system, the DiskStation also allows for synchronization of files amongst various DiskStation units. It also supports the synchronization of data between the DiskStation and cloud storage services such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and Box.
The Synology DiskStation makes use of the DSM as its operating system. This system offers advanced options for permissions, backups, scheduling and more features, all accessible form a web interface that allows you to monitor important statistics like network speed, temperature and CPU load. Additionally, the DSM OS grants access to tons of free plugins or modules which gives room for more customization of the Synology DiskStation.
To crown it all, the DS216j can act as a multi-purpose NAS server. It can either play as an entertainment server, a streaming multimedia to DLNA servers, Chromecast, Apple Tv and Roku.
It also has mobile support which allows you to access your data from IOS and Android remotely. The value which the DiskStation offers is exclusive, putting it well beyond the status of just an ordinary NAS server.
Pros
��� Quick to set up for basic backups
��� Affordable
��� Web access to data and vital statistics
��� Whisper quiet and cool operation
��� Fast file transfers
��� Quick and easy-to-use administrative interface.
��� An extensive collection of downloadable apps to bolster functionality well beyond the role of a simple NAS device.
��� Its front end is web-based. Consequently, there is no need to install software to administer the Synology DiskStation DS216j.
Cons
��� Some settings are difficult to find
��� Advanced DSM configuration might be confusing
��� Built-in video is very slow
��� No front facing USB 3.0
��� Particularly the unit has no slide out hard drive trays, so to access the drives you must remove the outside cover. Setting up can be a bit difficult depending on how deep you dig into the features.
Synology DS1515+ Disk Station 5-Bay Network Attached Storage
The Synology DS1515+ Disk Station 5-Bay is a NAS storage device built for optimizing speed and reliability. It provides everything thing necessary for ensuring efficiency ranging from enhanced RAID support to iSCSI LUN Clone support and the ability to work with up to 2048 user accounts. The efficiency of this NAS server also cuts across its ability to provide the necessary support needed to save and distribute your files efficiently. So, whether you are using it for your home or office, you are sure of deriving the optimal result from it. Following the line of other Synology Disk Station, it comes with virtualization support and domain integration and also gives you access to improved cloud services and mobile device integration.
Because this system is built for speed and enhanced performance, it comes with a 2.4 GHz quad core processor plus 2Gb of DDR3 RAM (which can be upgraded to 6GB if necessary) which makes it perfect for carrying out important tasks for small and medium scale businesses. Also, this makes it viable for performing data encryption as well as optimize virtualization support.
This NAS server comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports which ensure reliable network connectivity. Alongside the redundant LAN support, it also has four USB 3.0 and two eSATA ports which give you the advantage of connecting effortlessly to some exterior devices such as scanners, printers, external hard drives, etc.
As an additional clich�� to its high performance, the Synology DS21515+ can produce a writing speed of up to 396.50MB/second and 450.77MB/s under the RAID 5 configuration inside a Windows environment. Driven by its AES-NI hardware encryption engine, this NAS server expedites the transmission of encrypted data at a read speed of over 442.82MB/s and write speed of 187.88 MB/s.
For virtualization environments, the DS1515+ acts sand and intermediary element proffering smooth running platform for virtualization environment, including Hyper-V, VMware, and Citrix. As a VMware vSphere 5 and VAII integration supplied device, it aids in carrying out specific storage functions as well as optimizing computing power for enhanced productivity in VMware environments.
Acting as the centralized storage of a virtual environment, the DS151515+ supports virtual machine migration, thereby allowing movement from server to server, at the same time eliminating service interruption to the user. In addition to this, the Windows Transfer (ODX) and Synology Advanced LUN support improve the efficiency of large data transfer and migration to a large extent.
The flexibility and energy efficient design perfect this NAS server. While the DS1515+ can be connected to the additional storage and other external devices using the four Gigabit LAN ports it carries, the device build ensures that energy is used efficiently. The four LAN ports provide redundancy in the case of unexpected hardware failure. Two 8o x 80 mm fans are structured into the NAS to keep the system cool at all times, and the noise is minimal owing to its efficient design.
Conclusively, the DS1515+ is suitable for use by individuals, homes, and SMEs because of its durability, efficiency, and low cost.
The Pros
��� Quad-core CPU with Floating-Point Unit and Hardware Encryption
��� Upgradeable memory
��� Quad Gigabit Ethernet
��� USB 3.0 and eSATA
��� SSD Cache-ability
��� DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system
��� Simplicity of management and update
��� Easy administration, specifically of AES-256-encrypted folders and private cloud access.
��� Four Ethernet ports.
Cons
��� Only costs slightly less than the Plus version and doesn���t perform as well under load
��� Additional IP Camera licenses needed after two cameras
��� PC backup can be complicated. No status-monitor LCD or push-button USB drive backup.
Synology Disk Station 12-Bay Network Attached Storage (DS2415+)
Like the name implies, the Synology disk station 12-bay is a 12-bay NAS server that is optimized for file backup, file sharing, storage, and encryption. It comes with twelve drive bays that are capable of supporting 2.5��� and 3.5��� SATA II and SATA III hard drives, as well as 2.5��� SATA III and SATA II SSDs. Utilizing its twelve drive bays, this NAS server will help you store and share a lot of files, including music, photos, videos, and documents.
It runs on Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS- a browser-based operating system which helps to simplify how you manage your Synology NAS server. The DS2415+ features an Intel Atom C2358 Quad-core which run at 2.4 GHz and its 2GB of DDR3 RAM (expandable to 6GB) that allows commonly used files and applications to be accessed quickly. The NAS server has the capacity of achieving write and reads speeds of up to 451MB/s, and it features four USB 3.0 ports which can be used to connect it to your computer. The internet connectivity is achieved through the four Gigabit Ethernet ports. This allows you to share your stored data with several users all over the network. Your data can be saved and also be retrieved through the free iOS and android applications it has.
Additionally, this Network Attached storage server also serves as a centralized backup dome for all the computers in your office or home. Hence, making it one of the best NAS home servers. This backup and replication feature helps users to back up their data from 2415+ disk to another disk station. iSCSI LUNs can also be backed up. In a bid to ensure data redundancy and improve efficiency, several types of RAID modes including RAID 0,1,5,6,10 and JBOD are supported.
Encrypting data is paramount to a healthy security policy. As a result the Ds2415+ is fortified with a dedicated hardware encryption engine. This makes it suitable to perform as a digital locker for sensitive data. Files and folders are encrypted quickly without any perceived performance loss.
The installation and maintenance of this device is very simple. The hard drives can be replaced at any point in time if the need arises. Also a passive cooling design is incorporated into the system to help reduce dependency on the dedicated processor cooling fan, hence fighting against any critical failure. When the system detects a fan failure, the in-built redundancy system help to keen the device in continuous operation until the fan is replaced.
Not only is the DS2415+ excellent for its user-friendly interface, but it also provides complete storage solutions for virtual environments including Citrix, VMare, and Microsoft Hyper-V. With VMware vSpehere 5 and VAAI integration, the DSD2415 help carries out specific storage operations and it optimizes calculation power in VMware environments. The Windows ODX supports, speed up data administration as the transfer is carried out.
To sum it up, the DS2415+ is a versatile tool for performing different tasks. With it, your business gains competitive advantage while optimizing efficiency and reducing costs. While the Directory Server provides LDAP service, the DHCP and DNS packages allow you to host a domain name server and automate your network IP functions without spending additional money. With the Synology���s Proxy Server, you can control content access and monitor who can access a particular website while conserving bandwidth in the process. You can also host up to thirty websites with Web Station, protect the office environments with Surveillance Station, send and receive email messages with your personal email domain with Mail Station, share printing responsibility with Printer Server, and even make DS2415+ act as a VPN server to access company���s resources much more.
The DS2415+ is clearly a versatile NAS server poised at optimizing efficiency in the office and at home.
Pros
��� Easy to set up and maintain
��� Decent capacity/performance ratio
��� Can grow capacity via expansion chassis
��� Fast USB 3.0 transfer
��� It can multitask
Cons
��� Uneven performance
��� Drive trays are delicate, made of plastic, and have no noise/vibration dampening
WD 8TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage – NAS
This high-performance 2-bay NAS comes with some additional benefits when comparing it to its predecessor, the My Cloud EX2. The WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra gives you secure access to your files, as well as provide a smooth platform for syncing and sharing content across computers. With multiple backup options, this NAS server has everything you���ll need for the home office or small business.
The WD is a high-performance 2-bay NAS server that comes with some unique features that makes it look different from its predecessors. It gives you secure access to your files and provides a simple platform for syncing and sharing content across several computers. With the several backup options it has, this NAS server has all you will need for the home office or your small business. Thereby putting it in a position as one of the best NAS for homes. WD 8TB, My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage, is available with or without hard disks. Though the diskless is more costly and can be given to you on special request. This device comes with two NAS drives that are 4TB each ��� totaling 8TB. Using it means you will be getting 8TB of storage space. This network storage is centralized, making it accessible from anywhere. It is 165mm tall, 157mm deep and 99m wide, hence making it very compact even for a 2-bay device.
Its design is sleek and purely topnotch. It comes in a polished black color and a one-piece gray that wraps around each side. At the front panel, a black strip is embedded. This black strip features the WD logo, the product name and some LED indicators that show drive activity or status and a power button. If the NAS device is performing well, the LEDS will display a blue light, if not the lights will be red.
Not only does this NAS drive has an excellent design, but it is also made for high performance. Between the hard drives, the guts of the EX2 ultra can be found. This gut includes a Marvell Armada 385 1.3 GHz dual-core SoC and 1Gb of DDR3 memory. When it comes to writing, its read speed is 114MB/sec.
At the front of this NAS server, is a pair of USB 3.0 ports. These ports can not be used for a print server but can provide additional backups and storage. It also features a sole Gigabit Ethernet Port which provides connectivity. The small fan located inside the compartment plays the role of keeping the unit cool.
Setting up the unit is relatively simple. Even if you can���t do it instinctively, there is a manual that comes with the purchase of this device. With it, you can easily set up this device on the go.
Unlike other competing NAS devices, this NAS server supports a handful of other devices. However major apps such as Plex, WordPress, Acronis Truelmage and Anti-Virus essentials can be found in the app download interface. It also has web tools support.
Interestingly, any data saved can be access on mycloud.com on the web or through the mobile app. Coupled with the excellent backup management, the volume encryption and password protection add more touch of excellence to this device. With it, the safety of your information is secured.
The Pros
��� Excellent and slick design
��� Multiple RAID configurations and automatic backup options to help guard important data
��� Volume encryption and password protection for improved data security
��� Easy to set up and use
��� Fast file transfer
The cons
��� Does not support video transcoding
��� Supports only a few number of apps
��� No discount is given when you buy with disks
AirPort Time Capsule
The Airport Time Capsule is a network based storage device that represents the good and amazing trademark of the Apple company. It is a wireless external hard drive that can efficiently backup large amount of data stored on computers within its range. The device comes with a hard drive of 2TB or 3TB which you can choose from at the point of purchase to meet your requirements.
Whether you are buying the one with 2TB or 3TB, the features are relatively the same but just a slight difference in storage capacity. They both feature a wifi base station that works with the cutting-edge 802.11ac technology. For Mac users who are already familiar with the 802.11ac technology, the airport time capsule is a blessing. Because of the 802.11ac technology which it possesses, the Wi-Fi speed is super fast, and the signal is clear and crispy. There are six antennas placed at the top of the device which gives room for better signal distribution. Transmitting at two frequencies of 2.4Ghz and 5GHz with three antennas each, it can readily connect to other devices for optimal performance.
To carry out its enhanced backup storage function, the Apple AirPort Time Capsule uses the time machine and the mac os software program. This makes the device compatible with only Mac products. However, it can still work on windows.
Like other Apple products, it comes with a one-year warranty which applies to both hardware and accessories contained within the original packaging.
The design of the AirPort Time Capsule is topnotch, and it represents everything the Apple brand stands for. It is 6.6 inches in height and 3.85 inches in width with and approximate weight of 3.25 pounds.
Further portraying what the apple company stands for, the Apple Time Capsule comes with a PVC-free AC power cord. Also, the device is coated with bromine, and hence it is flame retardant free.
At the front of the device, a tiny small light can be found. This light indicates perfect working conditions as well as problems with the device. A steady green glow means that everything is running smoothly and a change in color or continuous blinking indicates a problem.
At the back of the device, a vertical line of ports and connections is located. Each of these ports serves the purpose of connecting to external devices. The three Gigabit Ethernet WAN port are used for connecting a computer, a DSL modem, a cable modem or Ethernet network. The two USB 2.0 ports which it has, can serve the purpose of connecting a hard drive or a USB printer. Each of these ports offers data speeds that amount up to 1,000MB/s.
While these ports are very useful for attaching other devices to the Apple Time Capsule, the absent of the USB 3.0 makes the device deficient in that retrospect.
Inside the device���s compartment, a fan was placed to prevent the panel from heating up. While this is a good initiative, the noise when using the device can put one off.
In conclusion, one says that the airport time capsule is not for everyone. For users who needs advanced networking features such as user swappable internal hard drives, redundant backup, flexible streamer for local media files, flexible admin tools can look somewhere else.
Nevertheless, unlike many other Network Attached storage devices, the Airport time capsule is an epitome of beauty, and for Mac lovers or users who can use the device with ease, this is a revolution in the 21st century.
The Pros
��� Owing to its 802.11ac support, the TCP throughput is very fast
��� Three send, and three receive antennas each of the two bands
��� Elegant design
The cons
��� Slightly noisy cooling fan
��� Lacks USB 3.0 support
��� Relatively high in price
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