Once a home has several computers the file or files you need will always be on another PC. Of course you can transfer most by USB stick or assuming they are connected by a Network by Wi-Fi or Ethernet, surely there is a better way.
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Yes there is a NAS drive and before you stop reading saying they are complicated they need not be. Here is such an example from Buffalo, the Link Station 520. Another thing people are concerned about – size – this one is tiny for a two drive unit.
The Buffalo Link Station 520 measures 20.5x8.5x13.5cm and weights 1.77kilos.
Both sides and the top are blank. The front has a door to allow insertion or removal of drives. The base has four tiny rubber feet to ensure it does not scratch any surface and to keep it in place. The rear has a fan and in a line down the left side a reset button, on-off slider, USB3 port, Ethernet connection and DC input.
Software is available from the link given on the instruction sheet. When I first installed it there were links for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, now Windows 10 is also listed.
Once downloaded and connected you should be able to see the NAS unit via the software, you have a choice on how you set the two discs up, the most usual is to mirror one drive with the other but they can be setup in other ways.
If you have several PC’s then the software is able to share files between all of them so they are available to anyone or should you wish certain files to be available for certain people this is all easily done.
The NAS usually would sit by your router and that is about it.
They can be purchased in 2TB – what I received – 4TB, 6TB or 8TB all are the same size the only difference is the physical capacity of the drives installed from 1TB to 4TB.
The stated speed is up to 100MB/s.
Anyone purchasing the Link Station 520 gets NovaStor’s Backup – via download for Free this is normally over £50. I am told there is a different – also free - solution available for MAC users.
This unit is of course designed to be left always on and you can have it spin down to use only a small amount of power at times when it’s not likely to be required. You can also set wake up on LAN.
Of course not all your devices work with Windows so support is there for iOS and Android file manager Apps.
You can also setup a Private Cloud that is truly private.
There is also Web access available so you can access files when away from Home or Office.
In the average home people use a range of devices to watch films and this NAS can stream up to four simultaneously and they could even be the same film at different points to devices in different places although remember if using remotely data downloads it can cost.
If you have used earlier versions then the Interface is now far friendlier.
As supplied to me with 2x1TB drives it is available from the first link below for £171.96 with free delivery.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00YOX2C5U?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634
Full details are available on Buffalo's website.
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