NAS Guide

WD My Cloud 4TB Personal Cloud Storage

April 2, 2015

In a country where seemingly all information is shared and the average household contains 5.7 devices connectable to a cloud source, the need for a storage device for them to connect to is rising. Experts believe that the average household in the U.S. will have 3.3 terabytes of data in cloud storage by 2016. If this is the case, then the WD My Cloud 4TB Personal Cloud Storage - NAS is the perfect device for the average United States household and will be a must-have within the next year.

This cloud device is built much like a large storage external hard-drive with a few ports at the rear including a USB 3.0 port for additional storage needs, a gigabit Ethernet port to connect to a local network, and a port for a standard Kensington security cable. It holds 4TB of information, though there are 2, 3, and 6TB options as well. It is 6.7" tall, 5.5" deep, 1.9" wide, and weighs 2.19 lbs and can operate in temperatures ranging from 41°F to 95°F and can be stored in temperatures ranging from -4°F to 149°F.

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WD 4TB My Cloud Personal Network Attached Storage - NAS - WDBCTL0040HWT-NESN (Personal Computers)

List Price:	$219.99 USD
New From:	$163.00 USD In Stock
Used from:	$159.99 USD In Stock

Western Digital's personal cloud storage unit features a dual-core processor and is both Mac and PC compatible. To access the cloud built into this unit, you simply download an app to your computer or mobile device so long as specifications to use the software are met. With this app, you can search through your photos, music, and movies with just a few clicks or swipes. For access with Apple Iphone or Ipad, you must be running software update 6.0 or later. With Android smartphones or tablets, version 2.3 or later is required. Mac requires Mac OS X Mountain Lion version 10.8, Lion version 10.7 and Snow Leopard version 10.6 or higher. PCs require Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (SP 3) 32 or 64 bit.

While most online reviewers are happy with their devices, 717 of 1,871 reviews on Amazon giving a rating of five stars, most reviewers have two common issues that WD is more than willing attempt to help resolve: speed and connectivity.

The speed issue seems to be stemming from people expecting the cloud storage to react just as quickly or faster than local storage. While some units have had offers for the reviewer to return the item, in case of malfunctioning hardware or software, others seem to be having no issues with the slightly lowered speed on functionality.

The connectivity issue, however, can seemingly be fixed with firmware upgrades available through Western Digital. If the firmware updates do not provide a more stable connection, the company has offered some reviewers the opportunity to exchange their cloud device for another in case the hardware or software is defective.

On the other hand, people love the easy setup and sleek design of the device. They also enjoy having the ability to access their files from anywhere on the go or at home without having to haul around a bulky external storage device.

The prices for this device vary depending on when Western Digital is having a sale, but are generally right at the $200 mark. While there are devices that are on the market for cheaper, many do not provide the same access as Western Digital has promised to provide with their My Cloud devices or the customer service provided to those that may not have had the ideal experience.

While there are many happy owners of Western Digital's My Cloud 4TB Personal Cloud Storage - NAS, you should be aware that the speed granted by this storage unit is not quite up to par with what you might get with a local storage unit. It is, however, highly spoken of when the speed does not seem to be an issue and Western Digital's customer support team is willing to work with anyone who is unhappy with the speed or is having issues with connectivity. binary trading

Synology America DiskStation 1-Bay Network Attached Storage (DS115J)

March 27, 2015

The Synology DS115j is a feature-rich NAS server that you can use to store and backup documents or setup a personal cloud. In addition, it is affordable, making it the ideal NAS server for a startup business or a SMB. With that in mind, here is a review of the Synology Disk Station DS115j:

Design and Construction

In terms of design, the DS115j is a compact and lightweight NAS server. The exterior of this server is made of a glossy white plastic external casing stamped with the Synology logo, which acts as an air vent. The rubber stubs on the base are also a notable feature. The server has one blue power indicator light at the front as well as three green status, disk, and network lights. On the hardware front, the DS115j has a Marvell Armada 370 processor that runs at 800 MHz, 256 MB DDR3 RAM, hardware encryption engine, and 8 MB of flash memory. This NAS server accepts hard disks with storage capacity of up to 6TB. According to the manufacturer, it is very energy efficient consuming only 3.85W when idle and 12.6W when in use.

Synology America DiskStation 1-Bay Network Attached Storage (DS115J)

Binding	Personal Computers
Brand	Synology
Color	White
EAN	4711174721771
Item Part Number	DS115J
Label	Synology America
List Price	$129.99
Manufacturer	Synology America
Model	DS115J
MPN	DS115J
Operating System	PC; Mac
Package Quantity	1
Part Number	DS115J
Product Group	Personal Computer
Product Type Name	COMPUTER_DRIVE_OR_STORAGE
Publisher	Synology America
Size	22in l x 15in w x 10in h
Studio	Synology America
Title	Synology America DiskStation 1-Bay Network Attached Storage (DS115J)
UPC	846504001774
Warranty	2 year limited warranty

Synology America DiskStation 1-Bay Network Attached Storage (DS115J)

List Price:$129.99

Price:$139.81

You Save:N/A

Dimensions

Measuring only 9 × 3 × 7 inches, this server takes minimal shelf or floor space.

Weight

The Synology DS115j weighs just 1.6 pounds making it easy to lift with one hand.

Number of Hard Drive Bays

This network attached storage device has only one hard drive bay that can fit a 2.5-inch or 3.5¬-inch disk. Installing a hard disk in this bay is easy because the SATA connectors are easily accessible. Moreover, there are two hard disk mounting bars with holes for screws. If you opt to install a 2.5-inch hard disk, you will only need one screw. It is advisable to screw a hard disk to prevent it from sliding/moving around if you pick up your DS115j server.

Expandability

The DS115j has two USB 2.0 ports and a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port. It supports myriad network protocols such as PPTP, PPPoE, FTP, POP3, SMFTP, and DDNS. This is in addition to remote management protocols (HTTP, SNMP, HTTTPS, SSH, and Telnet), data link protocols (10 MB LAN, 100Mb LAN, and GigE), as well as network services compatibility using Apple File Protocol (AFP), Microsoft CIFS, Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV), and Network File System (NFS).

Software Features

This NAS server runs Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) making it easy to access and share documents. Furthermore, it has Synology’s Antivirus Essential to keep cybercriminals at bay. Other software modules include iTunes media server, VPN server, Synology’s QuickConnect, Synology’s MyDS service, DLNA digital media server, as well as tools for managing downloads via BitTorrent or FTP. It is worth noting that this server supports Joomla, Drupal, and WordPress.

Speed

According to a speed test carried out by Tech Radar, the Synology DS115j NAS server achieved speeds of 46MB/sec while uploading and 51MB/sec while downloading content. A 2×HD test, which is equivalent to playing two HD movies simultaneously, achieved speeds of 102MB/sec. However, Content Creation and Photo Editing speeds were relatively low at 8.9MB/sec and 8.5MB/sec respectively.

Additional Features and Specifications

This NAS server supports file sharing across operating systems like Windows, Mac, and Linux. Moreover, the manufacturer has developed various mobile apps that you can download and use to access/manage content from your smartphone/tablet.

Pros

Firstly, consumers get a feature-rich product that includes downloadable apps. Secondly, it is energy efficient and quiet.

Cons

No USB 3.0 ports.

Consumer Ratings

Consumers seem to agree that this NAS server offers great value for money. However, setup can be tricky especially when initializing via the web.

Price

Prices for this server range from $129 to $140. Some online retailers, such as Amazon, offer free shipping.

Final Word

If you would like to build a personal cloud where you can store text and video files, go for the Synology DS115j Disk Station NAS device. It can store up to 6TB of content and comes with Synology’s award winning DiskStation Manager (DSM). You can also manage content via downloadable apps.Its hard disk bay can only accommodate one 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch disk.

QNAP TS-451 4-Bay Personal Cloud NAS Overview

March 23, 2015

Home cloud storage has become more popular over the past few years, especially with the increased use of wireless devices in the home. When looking for wireless storage options, its often best to keep an eye on the different products on the market. One such product is the 4-Bay Personal Cloud NAS.

Specs
Dimensions: 6.97" x 7.09" x 9.25"
Weight: 6.61 lbs
Power Consumption: 31.07 W
Processor: 2.41 GHz Intel Celeron Processor
RAM: 1GB DDR3L RAM
Ports: USB 3.0 Ports, 2 USB 2.0 Ports, 2 Gigabit LAN Inputs, and 1 HDMI Port
Capacity: 4 Hard Drives

QNAP TS-451 4-Bay Personal Cloud NAS, Intel 2.41GHz Dual Core CPU with Media Transcoding (TS-451-US)

List Price: $449.00

Price: $419.99

You Save: $29.01

Bestselling NAS Devices

Design and construction

As you might expect from any given storage device, the TS-451 isn't really much to look at. Meant for homes or small businesses, it's all about functionality - something that most consumers will appreciate, even if they tend to keep the device out of sight. Boasting four hard drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 SATA II/III HDD and 2.5 SATA II/III SSD compatible), it's got room to store about 20 terabytes of data (or sixty, with the expansion).

As a tower, the unit is quite stable and able to stand up to daily use. While the simple color scheme and plastic construction certainly don't place it at home with some of the higher-tech storage devices out there, it's a fine design for those who are looking to have cloud storage available at home or in a small business setting.

Features

As with most storage devices, it is the features that make the T2-451 stand out from the competition. Working on the QTS 4.1 OS, the system is accessible through a web interface and fairly easy to use even for inexperienced consumers. The device also features faster-than-advertised access speeds, a rare HDMI out that allows for high-quality media play, and a fairly simple architecture that will allow most users to upgrade the device as they see fit.

Pros

Most buyers of the QNAP TS-451 4-Bay Personal Cloud NAS are quite happy with their purchase - most cite the quick set-up and ease of use as major selling points, but there are a few other pros that tend to stand out with the machine. As mentioned above, transfer rates are fairly high for the price point, and most users are quite happy to see that they're getting a little more than what they had assumed they were paying for. The machine itself is also relatively quiet, especially compared to its peers, making it ideal for use in a home. Finally, the inclusion for the HDMI port for media play might not be a selling point for the device, but it certainly is a feature with which many buyers have found themselves quite happy.

Cons

The QNAP TS-451 4-Bay Personal Cloud NAS isn't quite a perfect device, though it does seem that most consumer ratings are quite high for the product. One of the major complaints about the device is that the construction simply seems cheap - the plastic is a bit flimsy, and it simply doesn't seem like it is on par with many of its competitors. A slew of other issues have been mentioned, but they're far from widespread - there are reported issues with app synching and limited, though troubling, reports of problems with the USB ports. There have also been issues regarding the software and its utility on mobile devices - not widespread, again, but important to note.

So, what the verdict on the QNAP TS-451 4-Bay Personal Cloud NAS?

It's a good, but not perfect, system. It's more suitable for small businesses and homes than large businesses, and those with an incredible amount of data storage needs might need to look for something robust. With that said, transfer rates are quick and the device holds up to standard use, so most consumers will be happy with the product.

QNAP TS-431 4-Bay NAS

March 17, 2015

The QNAP TS-431 is a network storage center that you can use to set up an entertainment center, file backup center, or remote access center either at home or at your place of work. This low/mid-price NAS server also allows sharing of files between various connected devices such as smartphones, tablets, desktop PCs, and laptops. With that in mind, here is an overview of the QNAP TS-431 network attached storage device: