+++++++++++++ SAVE +++++++++++++
With 2 plates of 2 TB storage capacity, the capacity is already huge. This is just about the smallest version of the three ordered device versions (there are the MyCloud Mirror even with 6 and 8 TB). For many users of the space will be sufficient, especially as it has the ability to deal with waiver of mirroring, both plates for easy backup as a continuous drive, which u. U. can be associated with a higher read and write speeds. A change is possible via the "Memory" in the WD My Cloud Mirror dashboard. But it is precisely that, the reflection in the so-called RAID mode (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is one of the essential features and advantages, because the potential failure or error of a drive, the second is just not available. It should be noted that flicker after uploading the LED lights on the front often a very long time. After the explanations of belonging to the device and downloadable from the Western Digital Web site Learning Center demonstrates that the retrospective cataloging z. B. uploaded photos. This can my observation to the case of larger volumes take a long time and is sometimes continued until the next time the server boots. Brings us to the point of "speed".
Who only requires an external hard drive, is certainly lifted me to the Cloud Mirror less good because the backup simply takes longer to complete. It can be assumed that the interposition of the router plays a role. For there is also in transferring data from your desktop computer to the cloud Mirror no direct cable connection, the path is always through the router. That was my first not clear, because I'm assumed that the first-time transmission of data to the cloud Mirror or transferring large amounts of data could alternatively take place via a USB cable. But just that is not possible. About USB external devices, such. As other external hard drives are obviously connected. The connection to the host computer always done but on the router. This applies both to the transmission via the Windows command interface that allows drag-and-drop between the main computer directories and cloud Mirror shared folders, as well as for possible backups using the WD SmartWare software. According to previous practice tests I think the Windows version for more reliable variant. Although SmartWare provides the fundamental possibility of a permanent or alternatively selective backup, with adjustable timing, selective file selection and backup category, determine the number of insurable versions etc level functions that you know from other backup programs. Practical handle this application is hardly as z. B. files are backed up not automatically with restricted access rights, or encryption and all the files are easily sorted out with a size greater than 50 MB on the other. The consequence of this is that in attempting a full backup for. B. all result data a greater proportion of files is not automatically saved. The catch then manually is an extremely tedious affair that actually makes a permanent assurance z. B. obsolete. It's irritating that restrictions is nowhere mentioned in this recognizable.
+++++++++++++ LOCAL TOUCH CLOUD +++++++++++++
The usefulness as a central cloud server I see as the actual benefit of the device. A feature that is otherwise covered by security in a cloud somewhere in undefined Internet is possible by means of hardware that controls within their own four walls is used. This saves, apart from the one-time cost of the storage device itself, the usual cost for cloud hosting, has more access and more flexibility in at least partially greater security. For the establishment of the local network, the management and configuration of the storage device and upload or access to the data on the home office or via mobile devices are available corresponding software solutions to a download page of Western Digital. The main ones are
- The setup software that allows the network and the management dashboard to set up
- WD Quick View, which allows quick access to the device on the Windows toolbar. About Here you can also shut down or boot up the device or to access other installed WD software.
- WD My Cloud, an application that is available as a desktop app or for different types of mobile devices in customized form, and controls external access to the cloud server.
Generally speaking, that the installation of the software in principle is not a problem at successive installation of various imaginary for controlling the device applications but can occur irritation. The problem is especially although existing, but too scarce formulated explanations on purpose, installation and use of the various components, such as those found in WD Training Center under the "Instructions". There all sorts of imaginable issues and distinctions can be found, are equipped with step-by-step explanations that probably meant of course, but actually held to much general to really convey certainty of action. When interpreting some instructions you feel as a non-network or server Profi partially helpless and left alone. . What, for example, do you start with explanations such as:
Making device for remote access: "Action 4
Action 5: Setting up one-time secure access from home or on the road "
Sounds simple, but it is nowhere explained in greater detail and is not comprehensible without cross-reading or external research. Sometime you know then that over the dashboard the key configurations are made for cloud access, create users and shares can be set up. And the My Cloud software is mainly for mobile devices and external users for access to the server required. Many terms that are needed for the settings in the dashboard of the server, but remain unclear because the integrated short information, which can be found next to the most technical terms, too concise or simply repeat the phrase, rather than to explain it. I am referring to terms such as "NTP Service," "NFS Service", "WebDAV service" or "remote server". The right configuration for their own purposes is therefore on this basis and partly a result of trial and error, associated with the sure feeling to look through only a portion of the settings and uses the device.
Nevertheless, and this is most important to me: the end does the access both via the cable connection of the host computer as well as Wi-Fi in exchange with mobile devices. Even I use the cloud Mirror in conjunction with a laptop and an Android tablet, for which I have installed each matching My cloud software. As a result, this provides an enriching flexibility in access to centrally stored data on your home network that makes this access from the activity of the main stationary computer independently. The advantages in particular:
1. accessibility even in early morning and late evening hours, when the computer is still or already shut down.
2. possibility within the family or a working group within the Urbanization different users to define different clearances and rights, so that a liquid workflow without tedious back and forth copying using sticks, CDs or other removable media is necessary.
Particularly pleasing I see that the speed of access is very fast on existing data from all employed by me mobile devices. As drawback I see to it that data with dynamic content, such as HTML documents with style sheet, image source references and script integration with access through the My Cloud Software may not be reproduced in full. It is a copy of data or content on the internal memory of the terminal necessary and the subsequent viewing eg. In a Web browser. With access to such data on the Windows command line as well as dynamic content from the cloud location directly be displayed completely.
+++++++++++++ REMOTE ACCESS CLOUD +++++++++++++
Really fascinating I find the ability to access at home via the Internet on users active cloud storage. Just great, if you're for. B. on the road and has forgotten an important document. This actually works, from both Internet-enabled mobile devices and external stationary computers. This requires in any case, the activation of the cloud service in the central device settings, the establishment of the corresponding user and the previous definition of a release, ie a limited area on the memory, which is provided to the user with certain rights, possibly with a was limited storage capacity provided and released. Furthermore, it depends on an installation specific to the device being used My Cloud software solution. Merely invoking the Server IP in the web browser for. B. does not lead to success. Practically running it off so that after you set up a user with a user name, a particular user's e-mail address and a password of user on the specified e-mail address will receive an automatic notification that him to activate his WD cloud account prompts by verifying the e-mail address. After verification refers a second e-mail message to the account login page, which leads to the download option of My Cloud software and others and ultimately for convenient access to the shared area.
This works quite well so far. A serious problem: The user must be quasi forewarned. Without prior notice, he will interpret the WD announcement perhaps as spam, particularly as he is addressed as "customer" of Western Digital. In two cases, that has led me too irritations. The possibility of an individualized approach of users set up would make this otherwise very practical way clearly manageable.
+++++++++++++ CONCLUSION +++++++++++++
The personally configurable accessible via the Internet cloud server within their own four walls I see as a great addition. Because the access to centrally stored data is for the administrator and all that as a user with specific rights access, extremely flexible. The extensive configuration options put this solution positively from fee-based or free cloud storage options. The software-based access brings in addition to the password protection for extra operating profit. A limitation should be noted that the configuration is explained by internal software Notes and callable by the Western Digital website Schulungscenter insufficiently detailed. This requires some comparative tests and external research term. With better documentation for the user remain at some saves time and nerves. The backup software SmartWare I think because of the described restrictions on the current use, particularly in the context of a permanent backup, unsuitable.
One more wish to conclude: Genial it, if the server from could be externally up and shut down would. Unfortunately, however, is the WD QuickView software for the PC desktop. Therefore, a "wake up" the cloud mirrors is not possible on mobile devices. The device must at external access already booted and running.
