Now I was even before very curious to see how the Buffalo LinkStation 420 (2 * 1 terabyte) would fit here.
INSTALLATION:
The device comes included flat network cable (1.2 meters long) and external power supply.
By means of enclosed control program NASNavigator 2 can be set up the network drive very light and easy to understand even for beginners, the Web-based settings can be this call by right-clicking on the drive icon (Open the Web Settings).
Here, the entry of a password is Getting Started initially mandatory, addition can also specify a username. Following the allocation of rights to users, and creating shared folders is possible. The time zone for the system time here is UTC + 09: 00 (Sapporo ...) preset, this should be changed on the occasion
What I really liked here is the help mode. If this is enabled, appear below the menu items in an outlined box very useful explanations.
The RAID-0 mode actually missing the opportunity of a proper data backup, the drive of BUFFALO supported in this mode only fast access with full utilization of the disk capacity. Are data but gone due to the failure of one of the two built-in hard drives, so they no longer or perhaps recover only with great effort can be.
In contrast, the RAID 1 mode provides the ability to mirror the data. If a disk is defective, the data is still not lost. In addition, the Buffalo LinkStation in this mode retains its high access speed. This goes but at the expense of storage capacity, which thus to half (here: one terabyte) reduced.
Incidentally, when setting up the exchange of RAID 0 was (pre) in RAID 1 in less than three minutes is done. More generally require changes to the settings always enter a confirmation number that will each appear.
USE:
I use this network drive in RAID 1 mode and in continuous operation (24 hours / 7 days) to store important family documents, photos, video post-production and as a raw material for storage for your music collection (MP3 and FLAC). Built-in DLNA media server to support even streaming music in the DSD format (known by the high-resolution Super Audio CDs). Shortage supply and DSD-enabled media player, I could not test this, I did this before but eventually, once offers an (affordable) option.
Calling and saving files is considerably more quickly than at my other network drives (Seagate, Western Digital).
In normal operation, the network drive draws power to 14 watts (measured it). By means of a small switch on the back can be controlled shut it down
The only thing that really bothers me is a slight, yet audible humming noise from the drive that transmits acoustic in my desk, so even louder. Simple containment measures do not help here. Because I appreciate so I will banish in the coming weeks, the network drive in the drywall of the study even when working alone.
The USB 2.0 port can be connected and thus make networkable a normal printer. These are to be selected from a list of angebotenenen manufacturer and make. As I discovered, this works only in part with significant functional limitations, as pointed out in DYMO out when ordering. Functions that require a response from the printer, here are obviously not possible. In my test case (S0838920 Dymo LabelWriter 450 Duo) could be used, for example, only the label printing, everything else (value specification, printing label bands) did not work the.
For me POSITIVE:
- Relatively low energy consumption in continuous operation (approximately 14 watts)
- Easy installation
- Very fast file access
- Help mode
- USB port makes the printer (with restrictions) networkable
- Switch on the housing to shut down
In my eyes improvement:
- Drumming running noise
CONCLUSION
The network drive LinkStation 420 2TB manufacturer BUFFALO is recommended almost without restriction. The very good overall impression can be clouded by the intrinsic noise (such as in the living room), may well have a disruptive effect when used in environments where it comes to absolute smoothness.
