But since now the storage requirement in home networks grows, and the NAS also moved more mid-priced, the following experiences on this application are designed. Front path: test environment is a pure Windows landscape with XP, Vista and Windows 7 in the so far one a DLINK DNS-323 NAS was doing their service.
Processing:
The BlackArmor is different well made. While the metal case makes a good impression-processed, so the plastic parts are less dibasic. The door does not just eg a stable impression and the lever for Festplattenentriegelung you automatically served a little more cautious. The front of the device is held in high gloss look, which is rather out of place affects such a device, since it is mostly eh not adorn the coffee table. Mention should also find that with my NAS one of the buttons on the front panel display only works randomly, rather annoying, especially considering the price. In addition, the air vents in the front area are adversely designed as they are at top of the case and thus dust is free to enter the interior.
Equipment and fittings:
The NAS has many useful features for home use on board. Apart from several available RAID configurations, the device offers 2 Gigabit LAN ports, 4 USB ports (of which include printers are supported), UPS support (but only for the brand APC, also lacks the power supply an IEC plug connection.), 10 licenses of Backup Software Acronis, media and wiki server and all the usual facilities of today's NAS systems (Quota Settings, download client, FTP support, Internet access, iSCSI + VMWare and XBOX support, etc.).
Configuration:
The in-service acquisition of NAS was very easy for me, even if the installed firmware was not the newest (To manually install a newer version was available). Seagate with the device even extra software with which examines the NAS to connect to the network and configured for not so experienced buyers a good help. Since the device has been supplied with a pre-configured RAID 5, I have in mind also nothing changed.
The other configuration of the rich functionality goes, thanks to a simple and logical web interface very easy by hand, especially as a very detailed help function has been integrated into the surface. Here was my previous DLINK NAS to manage not nearly as nutezrfreundliche ,, despite fewer features.
Operation:
Now that more than 1 TB of data have come to the BlackArmor I am very pleased with the performance of the device. The write speed (max. About 20 MB / s) is much higher than in my DLINK device, is that also equipped with Gigabit port, although there is a big difference between the speed setting in the processing of large and many small files, more than you actually expect.
In the settings of the NAS there is also a function for turning off the hard drive during periods of inactivity (albeit without adjustable time) (2011 February), are working normally, which according to the current software update. The rear, large fan also runs constantly, so who is planning to set up the NAS in the living room have to deal with either the noise or access to another NAS (the DNS-323 for example, switches not only the hard disks, but also the fan if possible out). Otherwise, smooth operation showed, regardless of operating system you are using. A media streamer was able to access without any problems on the media-holdings on the hard disk. I missed working in recent months only the possibility of timed training and turning. Thus a nocturnal, automatic power off the NAS would be possible. But this is only one small flaw.
I should mention even the front display, which is quite helpful in operation to retrieve the main operating parameters, however, it should also be switched off.
Software:
The included backup software is selected excellent Seagate. Acronis is a global leader in the field of image backups, which is reflected also in the software. Even complete PC images can be created, stored on the BlackArmor and restored if necessary from there. The addition of the software is a real added value of this device. However, the license manager is a bit unfortunate solved because the NAS registers the MAC address of the device and a license reserved a share of this license, eg: when changing the hardware, is not possible. Especially in corporate life, where quite times a network card is replaced, it will cost a full license.
Conclusion:
Seagate extended by the updates and related product maintenance the range of use of NAS considerably. iSCSI and VMware Support are interesting functionalities that were replenished with the latest update in the business sector. It is very gratifying that Seagate such functionalities and subsequently integrated into its products, nowadays not an everyday product support. With the new features is Seagate's BlackArmor suggests quite handsomely in comparison with the competition this class, particularly in view of the still significantly lower price Seagate NAS.
It is interesting to the NAS but also for ambitious home users with large data sets. Here the user is given a thoroughly successful product that comes with great features and configurability, as well as utilizes a good backup software. With the latest firmware I had a single problem while data access, here Seagate has obviously improved. The device is now 3 months in 24-hour operation in action and his work has done very reliable. Only a better processing of some parts would be desirable.
Due to the improvements and additional functionality through software updates I have my vote corrected. Here Seagate now delivers a good product, which has a solid basic equipment. Those looking for more features and performance, will have to look at or QNAP Synology, but there have to create a lot more money.
PS:
I could also test at a Fritz box 7270 the unit. There was with the new firmware also no problems.
A detailed description of how to change the root password to get access to the NAS SSH is described in the forum by Seagate.
