X-bit labs

Network Storage System with 2 Bays: Linksys NAS200 Review

Category: Other

by Platon Scheblykin

[ 04/13/2008 | 04:14 PM ]

Today we are going to discuss an Ethernet connected network storage device with two available SATA hard drive bays that features advanced backup software and built-in media server for streaming to PC or UPnP AV digital media adapter. With a very appealing price point this NAS solution from Linksys may turn out a very good choice. Let’s see if it is true.

Table of contents:

• Specification and Accessories
  
• Exterior and Interior Design
  
• Firmware and Web-Interface
  
• Administration
  
• My Files
  
• Software Bundle
  
• Network Drive Mapping Utility
  
• NTI Shadow
  
• Performance
  
• Conclusion
  

We have only reviewed Network Attached Storage devices that had one internal hard disk, but RAID technology has long become available to home users, and it would be logical to implement it in NAS as well. There are already a number of NAS devices available with support for two or even four internal HDDs. It means you can build a RAID array to increase the data-transfer speed or the security of disk data.

This review is about one such device. It is the dual-disk NAS200 from Linksys. Besides its main capabilities we’ll talk about below, this NAS is very appealing for its price. It is comparable to the price of single-disk devices of this class.

We’ll check out how efficient this offer is. If the NAS200 is really good, you won’t have to pay extra for dual-disk devices from other brands.

Specification and Accessories

The box contains:

• NAS200
• Category 5e Ethernet cable
• 12V/5A power adapter
• Power cord
• CD with a user manual and software
• Quick Installation Guide