Previously wonderful .... (4th Update - JUNE 25 !!!)

For quite some time I was looking for a NAS, because I felt that tampering with various external hard drives have long been a nuisance.

Important for me were different factors:

- Easy set-up, because I am technically proficient, but a NAS newbie
- Best compatibility with all kinds of platforms (Apple, Windows, Linux, etc.)
- Apps on the go
- And most importantly a RAID array !!! (The increased data security due)
- Very good value for money (under 400 for 3TB in RAID array were the objective)

I quickly came under my search to WD and the My Cloud series. At first I toyed with the My Cloud (1bay). However, I decided quickly, however, as it has only a "disk bay", and therefore all data stored on it would probably be gone in a hard disk failure. Of course I would be able to pre-empt regular backups to an external drive, but then I would have again the annoying Rumhantiererei again.

Upon further research, I then pushed open the My Book Live Duo from WD. And it would then also become almost. It offers 2 hard drives that can be operated in the RAID array, and otherwise meets all the other requirements mentioned above. Nevertheless, I decided against it, because Amazon listed a successor; the WD My Cloud EX 2!
The search finally had thus an end !!!

After a short research on the net I could also have a (exceptionally) better price than Amazon account, and held a few days later my first NAS hard drive in my hands.

As a relatively difficult I have experienced at first. Not least because 2x 3.5 "3TB hard drives of RED series of WD in it stuck. However, I must admit that it is processed very valuable.
All necessary cables and documentation are of course one of the party.

And after the first start it was set permanently. You have just totally dull follow the "Quick Start Guide".
Of course, the first copy of several hundred GB of my data via USB and LAN took quite a while, for my purposes, however, this was done quickly enough.

Thanks to the built-in UPnP function of the NAS hard drive also recognized my Raspberry Pi with OpenELEC the bunkered media files without any problems. Against the NFS integration into my Raspberry Pi, I decided, because I get every few days new media files to it, and not like constantly updating all the media library.
Even my Macbook recognize the EX2 easily as a network drive as well as a Time Machine backup medium. And also the first Time Machine backup was already running smoothly via LAN on the EX2.

Now the cry determined one or the other and say, is "in 2014 there are still everywhere Fi. Why do not you use it ?!". That's easy, WLAN still has several limitations in everyday use that make it uncomfortable several hundred gigabytes of data via wireless network to move. Since I still have to glad a LAN cable because that I can use.

Another "obstacle" could, nervous one or the other. Namely, the convenient use of the My Cloud feature. Anyone that's why decides to buy the hard drive, hopefully a VDSL line with ordinary upload rates has on hand. Because you have to be dadrüber simply recognize that the cloud operating EX2 is just as efficient in My how the upload rate of the Internet connection used. A 50,000-line should be the minimum since it otherwise is not fun.

On the whole, I am very satisfied with the hard drive, even if the software used in the version 1.2.x can still be regarded as "in its infancy". It offers a lot, but my feeling after not enough.
For example, does the Standby. However, you can only decide whether you want to have turned on him, or whether not. However, one can not define when you want to turn it exactly.

Ultimately, it must be noted that this is a very nice, quiet and multifunctional NAS that can be passed to the hand without further problems NAS newcomer. There's definitely a lot of potential in the box, it must be software-sided just maxed out even better.

Rating: * * * *

Like the good EX2 proven future, I will probably announce in sporadic updates.

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1. Update from May 12, 2014

For over a month, the EX2 now stands with me at home and performed their services. enough time so for a small interim conclusion.

Actually everything is going great. So all the data is still there, and there were no failures. I could find any problems, either in the accessibility within or outside of my network. Even movies are any problems on my Raspberry Pi reproduced with OpenELEC.

Nevertheless, there are also negative messages. And was on April 25, a new automatic firmware update (1:02:08). However, this was done without my consent. In my opinion, a no-go!
Unfortunately seems to have unfortunately deteriorated by this update the standby function. I mean, the NAS is much rarer and shorter in standby than before the update.

Also, there is still access only with a lot of put on and take-Zoomerei on the UI of the EX2 to disable it, for example.. A mobile app for quick access to the power schedule or OnOff-Turn or restart etc. would be really wonderful.

A nice feature is that if you eg. The energy schedule between midnight and morning has set to 7, and the EX2 shuts down before manually via UI by 22 clock, it nevertheless goes back up to 7 and is ready for use. Unfortunately, more settings in this respect are not possible.

Today I have now a long Gigabit LAN cable ordered to banish the NAS in a closed cupboard me. I now hope that this will finally bring back peace. If this is again expected not remedy, I will probably have to resort to a Powerline adapter. More but then in the next update.

Unfortunately, I feel compelled evaluating originally 4 lower to 3 stars, as the new firmware update was unfortunately a deterioration, even if only the Heartbleed gap was closed.

Rating: * * *

Ps
Some complained yes on a constantly running Twonky server. Under the following link "wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3299/~/how-to-access-the-twonky-media-server-on-a-wd-my-cloud,-ex2,-ex4,-my-book-live," (Without the quotation marks at the beginning and end !!!) should find her more help, and get the beast under control.

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2. Update from May 26, 2014

How do you turn this chic NAS whisper quiet NAS ?!
Exactly, with a little "tinkering".

As I had already reported in the last update, the NAS after the last update has become louder and more often had a slightly louder response than desired. I abbekomme occasional little sleep every now and then come to a small afternoon nap during the day to demand it. Unfortunately, this had been greatly hampered by the software update.

Now I have banished the NAS from my (open) Expedit in an enclosed cabinet. But I have the following LAN cable (Wentronic CAT5e network cable (2x RJ45, 10m) White) ordered. Nice and flat and unobtrusive is the cable and fortunately there is no problem Gigabit-capable. Now the NAS is in the closet, and roars there. But the tubes is still too much to me. I had lying around as a rubber anti-slip mat. This folded several times, under the NAS, on a small cutting board and turn on the NAS. Zack is vibration dampened and is no longer audible. Now I am completely happy and for this reason there are the following new rating:

Rating: * * * * *

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3. Update from the June 10, 2014

The day before yesterday a new update was released. I invite it down straight and install it. In the coming days you learn then, how it behaves.

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4. Update on June 25, 2014

The update from the first half of June has brought no real changes for my user behavior. It has consequently deteriorated nothing. And also no significant improvements I could see. In this respect, my rating remains unchanged. The NAS just purrs like a kitten, and carries out his work without problems!

Last reviewed: * * * * *

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