But not the low P / L Winner

But not the low P / L Winner

ZyXEL NSA325v2 NAS servers (2-Bay, SATA II, 1x Ethernet, USB 3.0) (Accessories)

Customer Review

Spent a long time for a new NAS held out; When one colleague or specialist forums are often asked (or almost always) mentioned two names: Synology and QNAP.

I did not mean to be satisfied, because there are always other good products that are not equal to catch the eye. I also need a lot of space and must accordingly also two (possibly more expensive hard drives) buy.

EDIT: Am now but ended up with QNAP (see below): It is worth duchaus and I had to recognize that the two manufacturers are not in vain leader. I've learned it.

After much research, I have therefore taken the NAS Zyxel eye, the main criteria were:
- Good price (sry, at 250 euros empty enclosure stays with me no money for a decent HDD)
- PyLoad capable (without much Gefrickel)
- Sets HDD's in hibernation

Especially that last feature dominate but some devices on the market is actually not what I find amazing, because even my Raspi with Xbian can do.

Scope of supply:
=============
- A network cable, power connector with transformer, USA plug, screws for hard drives and fans.

Appearance:
======
Simple, black and the LED's not too bright = So I like that!
The upper is simple plastic, but solid made ... no flatterer but rack-ready and also holds a bump out.
The innards are made partly of sheet metal.

HDD cages:
==========
Also made of plastic, but not bad. With my Antec One, the good sound-absorbing properties has shown again, I can attest to that.
The HDD sleds are furthermore equipped with rubber buffers = Very cool! So to do that!

Controls Front:
======================
Clock radio level but with a clear pressure point. The front LED's are not too bright and blinking nervously never rum.

Fan / volume:
===============
Yeah, there are actually reviews the losing not a single word about the device itself but only on the sense / nonsense of the built-up fan and its volume philosophize.

UPDATE: My fan has become even noisier, probably I got an older device. Have the plant fans against NOISEBLOCKER BlackSilentFan exchanged XC1. Now I hear the NAS from my IKEA Expedit (Bottom Shelf) is no longer out.

The displeasure of many customers, I can understand, the old fan is an absolute bad design with a cheap stock. The camp is not half the problem, it is the constantly varying speeds cause a rhythm-mix whirring.
As the new fan of REV.2 is, I can not say, therefore, unfortunately. A fan replacement is however done quickly and easily, it only needs to be screwed and plugged. As someone who often assemble desktop computers, I'm over anyway the cheap fans in prefabricated housings skeptical and buy usually always new brand to fans.

Software:
=======
The operating system is a Linux system and therefore ever quite robust.

The browser interface is different: Here a no desktop is fooled (as Syn or QNAP), but there are large rotatable symbols.

Otherwise, the config file and the manager is very spartan and objectively with rows and columns. But there are all important features such as:
- Delete, unpacking, packing, moving, copying, renaming

You can also move "drag and drop" moderately folders or files on the surface. Unfortunately, a no progress bar is displayed and it can only copy "per page" always. Going to the next page and copied the old copying> Very cancels = made opaque.

Rights management:
==================
You can create groups and users who then have access to the shares. PROBLEM: Once you've started up the Twonky Media Server, see for yourself visitors who do not have write permissions, which are for films, music on the NAS, and indeed everything!

Just when you would like to ask only some pictures from last birthday third persons (friends of friends) available, provides me personally to deep insights into my database.

Solution: Is there a package called "Gallery3" that is a MySQL database with a GUI, which is controlled via the browser. Here you can go to your heart's content Photos and Videos shoveling, again awarded rights and must not be afraid, that everything else is also cost. This creates a completely new and separate database.
The whole social stuff like tags, comments and Co. can be deactivated easily. That the love acquaintance can download the whole album the same, I recommend subsequently install the package "download album". So the album is automatically packaged and can then be downloaded => Very handy!

EDIT: Unfortunately I get here constantly HTTPS Errors (# 2038)

Alternative 2: WordPress with NextGen => Again Fails an upload!

Hardware:
========
Processor is a single-core 1.6GHz ARM (floating point capability) and 512MB of DDR3 RAM. This sounds little, but needs a customized Linux much less resources than, say, a Windows.
I have been able to get everything done quickly during remote access to small delays. The processor makes itself when unpacking with pyLoad not limp and done that as much as possible.
Even more HD streams in LAN are no problem at all!

Both WD RED 3TB disks were detected immediately, Recording and after 2 hours added idle the device into sleep mode and will not run consistently.

Packages:
========
Phew, are a lot.
First of all: One can by a modification called FFP (Fonz fun_plug) Root bring rights and any packages = However you need not necessarily!

I have found in the package manager of brand new appliance everything I need:
- PyLoad and SMART

PyLoad integrated clean, integrated my account and then via smartphone (Lumia) monitors the download process without problems
SMART also works clean and indicates how well the HDD is (among other things, Temp).

FFP is complicated and even Linux enthusiasts will get one or two gray hairs. The tutorials on the net are sometimes highly contradictory and written for the old 0.5-version => I did it, for example, to this day failed to implement lighttpd.

SSH:
====
Only works via FFP stick, but then perfectly! SSH must be pushed via WinSCP the better way to share files on the NAS or perform a remote access. The FTP server will stay with me from (unsafe).
Others can the touch of a button in the menu, why necessarily going through FFP? No Idea.

Streaming:
=========
Yes, the Zyxel and indeed can Twonky Media Server and DLNA. The great thing is: He stream and DTS soundtracks. So I can easily fit to my LG LM 620S my HD watching movies = I honestly had the greatest doubts as to whether both devices are and the Zyxel goes along with this.

On Windows Phone 8 I use the "Smart Player", this example is streaming from the NAS to the Raspberry Pi (hanging on the plant) or from the NAS to the TV.
The TV itself detects the NAS and also can search the woks folder for sharing.

Unfortunately, I can fast forward only piecemeal with the TV and not in fast motion (2x, 4x, etc). However, this is due to the TV and not to the NAS (with Plex same problem).
Another pure TV Problem: It is possible to select any audio tracks. By XBIAN on the Raspberry going wonderfully. But again, I can only warn LG owners: Your TV's are not expected to be able to change lanes!

Online Streaming can also perform both pictures (slideshow), movies and music. Then the files are played in the browser. A rudimentary player with Stop / Start etc brings the same surface with = well done, I need it rarely.

USB ports:
=============
Front USB 3.0 (very good) = Will gladly omitted in the price range. Syn can this feature hefty 50-60 euros extra costs, for example,
Rear are twice USB 2.0.

Particularly nice features: The button on the front panel can be freely configured. Copying Stick => NAS or NAS => Stick.
I was surprised that the button responds to "long press" and this can be programmed with a function, such as stick NAS sync.

Mobile App:
=========
There are Zyxel official Handyapp for iOS and Android. For Windows Phone's not.

BUT: This is not bad at all!

Synology and QNAP's are often recommended because it is indeed the official super duper iOS application and you then everything "from a single source has". One argument that has only ignited with me.
However, this is window dressing, because a NAS primarily supports standards and protocols such as DLNA and / or FTP and then it does not matter whether the app now comes directly from the manufacturer or from a dedicated independent developers.
I am, for example, completely satisfied with the Smart Player, I'm concerned needs Zyxel no WP App release (my opinion).

Community:
=========
There is a large German-speaking community, which helps with words and deeds and also some tinkering diligently new packages to expand the NAS functions.
It's also nice that Zyxel has fully integrated the community, to accept problems and receives packets in the official package list (eg the pyLoad).

EDIT: At least the official Zyxel Forum I can not fully recommend. Answers are rarely answered, even simple questions about FFP or outdated modules. Questions to fan batches are the people there more important ...

NEGATIVE:
========
- Images in RAW format can not be looked at in the browser, it must be in jpg format. Too bad, the other can be better! (Can the Gallery nor, indeed upload, but then converts to JPEG to shame ...)

- A wireless stick supports NAS MMN at the moment. At least Synology performs a compatibility list for such projects.

- Occasional "HTTP Errors" in images uploads the Gallery3 / WordPress. I do not know whether it was on the browser. Under the Zyxel Web interface so far zero problems.

- Separation of private and public files at the factory impossible and only through third-party apps (Gallery3) possible. Since the NAS but has severe problems with HTTPS, you can forget about these workarounds. Correct Photo Station as QNAP or Syn would be appropriate! Unfortunately unusable => Therefore, for my purposes

- File Browser very slimmed down and copying not very comfortable (it always go only up all files displayed per page, otherwise abort). Tip of the Zyxel Community => "Take the Midnight Commander" => I often work professionally with the Console, but privately the eye cancer? Have Fun!

- Copying has the web frontend no progress bar or anything, so wait and drink tea

- Front of the NAS can not access the Internet Explorer 11 and the Apple Safari.

- Fan is still noisy (invested 10 euros more in the Coolink)

- Files sometimes can not be on ext. Move media via GUI / Copy => Especially when moving to the new NAS annoying because I had to make a detour via a computer via WiFi!

CONCLUSION:
=====

Unfortunately it was not to be. After the first euphoric week came the damper => Pictures uploads and especially the provision and collection of such is simply not possible without the people are sent to the Zyxel GUI and there can see all my MKV's; Privacy is different!

I was just really excited, but the more I studied with the FFP and install packages, the more I noticed how outdated the modules are partly (OwnCloud, Gallery3). The problems with the SSL I can not get to grips with, with my new QNAP TS212P this works perfectly. Also this has a really complete Photo Station!

Then, when photos of family pictures of a wedding should be distributed and collected, came from for the NAS, as an upload could not be reliably guaranteed.

Who really accesses only himself as a professional on the NAS, can only be accessed by the family and want sharen all media, continues to be very well served by the Zyxel. Should it be but a little more and you get also third parties into the boat, going from a relatively fast options. File sharers who are looking for a download-only machine to tap with pyLoad 24/7 diverse sharehoster are also happy => Interested to get not manage to connect these hardware + housing.

Unfortunately, the whole operation is not really comfortable. I myself have that too only taken lightly, but if someone from the family issues with the GUI, has brought me a NAS nix and I have awkward join remotely diagnose => This costs time and nerves.

My new P / L Winner: Anyone looking for a NAS with the same solid hardware => Check out the QNAP to 212P, the 30 - give 50 euros more for their's operating system, but it's worth it! This has even 2 times USB. 3

Finally the true Rank: 5/5
April 26
Very good 361 2 Rank: 4/5
March 1
That's perfect. 215 Rank: 5/5
May 26
An easy and effective solution Rank: 5/5
April 11
to peace so far Rank: 5/5
December 17

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