External HDD Enclosure or NAS?

barnettgs

barnettgs

barnettgs

Soldato
Joined
22 Jan 2005
Posts
2,825
Location
N Ireland
I'm looking for a simple external storage like external HDD or one-disk NAS.

I have come across few NAS but most of them seemed to come with things like USB which I don't need.

Is performance faster with USB 2.0/Firewire than with ethernet NAS?
 
barnettgs said:
I'm looking for a simple external storage like external HDD or one-disk NAS.

I have come across few NAS but most of them seemed to come with things like USB which I don't need.

Is performance faster with USB 2.0/Firewire than with ethernet NAS?
Click to expand...

I have been looking at NAS for some time, but the one box solutions that are out there seem to be a bit of a compromise. There are some gigabit equipped unit appearing, these are close to USB2 in speed, but a bit pricey so far.

As for built in USB support, I think this is so cheap now it actually adds very little to the cost, so don't worry about it.

There are lots of reviews of NAS devices on tomshardware.com
 
I have just purchased a western digital 320gb Network drive and its really good, takes a while to transfer massive files but once its done its done, Use it to play media on my main pc and my laptop wirelessly which it does very well!

Could do with with being gigabit but hey there will always be someting bigger and better.
 
OK, I have found a link here about the speed of ethernet, usb and firewire: http://lyberty.com/tech/terms/usb.html

USB 2.0 seemed to be good & cheaper - 480mbps...much faster than 100mbps ethernet.

So say that I have 25 GB of data - it would takes 35 mins on standard ethernet, 7 mins on ethernet and 3.5 mins on gigabit.

Does USB connection uses more system resource than 100mbs ethernet when copying files?

eggcup - what's the model name of the drive you have just bought?

Thanks
 
Its a, Western Digital WDXE3200JBE NetCentre 320GB Ethernet External Hard Drive (HD-057-WD).

At the end of the day it all depends if you are going to be moving massive files back and fourth between your pc and the drive if you are then go for usb if you are going to be doing it once and sharing between other pc's go for ethernt.

Thats my honest opinion :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom