Network storage devices

shandy1948 · 26 Apr 2006 at 11:46

I want to attach some network storage to my router at home.

- I want to be able to use my own choice of hard discs (i.e. I don't want it to come with an HD already installed)

- I would prefer to install the discs inside the box (i.e. I'm not keen on plugging external USB hard drives into it, as I'll then have to go and buy USB enclosures for the hard discs I've already got)

- I want to plug it directly into my router (i.e. I don't want to plug it into my PC. I'm happy to leave the router and the network storage box switched on all day, but not my PC)

- I want to be able to access it via FTP

- I don't want to have to install additional software on each PC that I access it from (apart from an FTP client).

- I'm not interested in the box providing its own WiFi functionality. My router already has WiFi, so I'm happy for the box to plug directly into the router with a network cable.

I originally thought that the Netgear SC101 (NW-081-NG) fulfilled all these requirements. However, I found out from the reviews that it requires additional Netgear software to be installed on every PC which accesses it.

Has anyone got any other suggestions?

DeeJay-Mo · 11 May 2006 at 04:28

Linksys NSLU2 all the way.
Apart from the fact that you have to connect disks via USB, it does what you want and more.
By flashing the firmware you can use the box as a linux server and run just about what ever you want on it (web server,ftp,email, etc)
I've got two of them and couldn't reccomend them more.

Tomsk · 11 May 2006 at 06:09

Get a LAN Bridge Board and make your own.

NickR · 11 May 2006 at 08:36

I use a Synology DS101g+ although this has been superceded by the DS106 (same functionality I think)

There is also a lower costs DS101j

Both will take up to 400Gb disks - the DS101g+ and DS106e are SATA (with Gigabit ethernet), the Ds101j is IDE (with 10/100 ethernet)

http://www.synology.com/enu/products/DS106serise/spec.php

http://www.synology.com/enu/products/DS101serise/spec.php

#Chri5# · 11 May 2006 at 14:00

shandy1948 said:
I want to attach some network storage to my router at home.

- I want to be able to use my own choice of hard discs (i.e. I don't want it to come with an HD already installed)

- I would prefer to install the discs inside the box (i.e. I'm not keen on plugging external USB hard drives into it, as I'll then have to go and buy USB enclosures for the hard discs I've already got)

- I want to plug it directly into my router (i.e. I don't want to plug it into my PC. I'm happy to leave the router and the network storage box switched on all day, but not my PC)

- I want to be able to access it via FTP

- I don't want to have to install additional software on each PC that I access it from (apart from an FTP client).

- I'm not interested in the box providing its own WiFi functionality. My router already has WiFi, so I'm happy for the box to plug directly into the router with a network cable.

I originally thought that the Netgear SC101 (NW-081-NG) fulfilled all these requirements. However, I found out from the reviews that it requires additional Netgear software to be installed on every PC which accesses it.

Has anyone got any other suggestions?

The SC101 is pretty nasty IMHO. Do best to avoid.

Have a look at the YesBox n2100.

You buy it as a buy box, then add your choice of disks (RAID 0 or RAID1). No client software needed, has an FTP server.