Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo 2-bay 6 Tb In Stock
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program
Seven month update: rating change to 4 stars (from 5 stars) for due to support web site usability for firmware and utility software updating (the utility software is for the Windows GUI environment; the firmware is for the NAS device itself).
Solid 5 stars for backup and network data access.
As part of a recent Windows re-install on my desktop computer, I checked for updates to the firmware and user interface utilities. It was relatively easy to find that newer versions of both were available on Buffalo's support site. The discovery, however, is where the "easy" ended.
In order to download the utility software, users must provide both a model number a serial number in a web form. If you no longer have the product box, you'll have to turn the unit upside down to find the serial number sticker (and you'll certainly want to power down the machine before doing so!). There are three separate bar codes and numerical labels on the bottom of the unit:
--the MAC address (labeled as such)
--a serial number (mixed letters/numbers beginning with the model name, and labeled "F-S/N"...presumably the serial number needed for the software download
--an unlabeled bar code with 14 numbers.
Surprisingly, the *unlabeled* number is the one needed to proceed with your download.
While this is very counter-intuitive, my call to their toll-free number was answered in one ring (and with just two voice menu options) by a knowledgeable tech who clued me in patiently and quickly on which number to use (the unlabeled one, of course!).
One the firmware and software was downloaded, the updates were painless.
-Firmware: extract the zipped download file, select the only executable file present, and enter a password when prompted (after the updater discovers the NAS on your network).
-Utility software was a standard application install in a Windows environment.
Six months after this NAS arrived, I added a DLNA-compliant, Internet-enabled Sony HDTV to my hardware mix. I was looking forward to streaming video, images and music from the NAS to the TV and its connected A/V receiver. Beware: your total count of DLNA-enabled files is limited to 30,000. Trust me: exceed this and you will NOT have a happy DLNA experience. Get under that cap, and it's relatively straightforward to set-up the service on the NAS and access it via the DLNA-compatible device. The file count limit was found not in the NAS user guide (or elsewhere on Buffalo's support site that I could find); fortunately, it was clearly presented in --of all places-- the TV's embedded interactive guide.
DNLA bottom line: videos and music are cataloged and available for streaming with no problem...but it can't properly navigate designated images. Go figure. So: it works for 2/3 of the media categories its supposed to support.
Original review content:
If you take your data backups seriously, you might already have a big pile of external hard drives...and maybe some hard drive enclosures. This is probably a pile that grew as your digital music, photo and video holdings increased and the cost of mass storage decreased.
Transitioning to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution might help reduce your backup hardware clutter while offering access to your files from multiple computers in a wired or wireless network. Buffalo Technology's Linkstation Pro Duo WS-WV2.0TL/R1 is a strong candidate for such a backup and networked data storage solution.
But, be prepared before you plunge: this is not a choice for the technical novice. While most users can probably work through this machine's core functions without great heartache, before spelunking in even its most common options, you should already be confident in understanding how storage devices interact with wired and wireless networks, and be prepared to make fundamental decisions about disk file format and Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) setup options. If these skills aren't in your comfort zone: large capacity hard drives are very affordable these days. Just addd some more of the size you need to accommodate your current and near future holdings, connect them internally or externally, get them running with a decent automated backup application, and free up the brainpower you'd devote to NAS administration for other tasks:-)
If you feel you do have the technical cred to become an NAS maven, then read on.
Hardware:
The hardware for this unit is substantial. Two SATA hard disk drives (HDD) are mounted vertically in trays behind the removable front cover; no tools are required for installation or removal. Mine arrived with two Samsung hard drives , each with 1 TB capacity (more on this later). These 54000 RPM drives have a decent reputation for running cool and quietly. The control unit runs a 1.6 GHZ processor over Linux (Samba) architecture for its combined file and print services (compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems...although some interface features may be absent in the cross-platform environment).
The enclosure includes an RJ45 Ethernet port (for connecting to a router, for establishing its IP address, for its browser-based control functions and ultimately, for its data transfer chores) and a USB port. The USB port can accept either a printer (with one-way functions for printing services only; no multi-function device support or 2-way printer utilities), an external hard drive or any USB-driven device (except for multi-port hubs or multi-slot card readers).
External appearance is clean and simple. On the right front corner are three staus LEDs (power, function and info/error). The rear contains a 3-position power switch (on, off and auto). The auto function is synched with the computer that shares a wired Ethernet connection with the router.
Setup:
The full range of available features is very dense. Prepare to spend considerable time exploring the user interface. The included (.pdf) user guide is very well written, although some of its screenshots are too small to read easily.
Initialization for first use took approximately 12 minutes. There was a firmware update available from Buffalo, which I installed before proceeding with any data transfer or disk functionality.
This NAS requires a fixed IP address on your network. Since most home routers use dynamic IP addressing by default (for both wired and wireless devices), you'll need to be familiar with how to force your router to assign a fixed IP address to an attached device.
Data transfer rates:
While any discussion of data transfer rates will represent a snapshot that includes multiple variables, data tranfer via this unit's Ethernet connection is about 10 MB/second to the desktop's internal SATA drives and an external USB 2 drive. By comparison, internal desktop SATA-SATA data rate is about 33 MB/second, and SATA-USB about 24 MB/second.
RAID options:
The default configuration for this NAS is RAID 0 (striping). RAID 0 treats the two 1 TB drives as a single volume, offering 2 TB of capacity. If one disk fails: all content is lost. In these days of cheap storage, not a choice I'd make for myself or recommend to others.
The browser-based user interface easily allows the array to be changed to to RAID 1 (mirroring). RAID 1 duplicates the contents of one drive onto the other. Effective storage capacity is equal to the size of the SMALLEST drive installed. In the event of a drive failure, replace the failed drive and the mirrored content will then be rebuilt from the good one after installation. This is the redundancy I prefer for networked storage. For this configuration, 1 TB of storage is available. Changing RAID types took less than 10 minutes. Note: make this change BEFORE adding data, which is lost in a change of RAID modes. The interface offers excellent error trapping, including written warning that you are about to lose your data AND forcing you to match a 4-digit code it displays when you agree that you understand your about to commit your bits to the deep...
In addition to the RAID options, you can configure these drives as independent volumes.
File system options:
This device supports FAT32, NTFS (only via the USB port) HFS+ and XFS. XFS is its default configuration, and the only one offering full read/write and control functionality. The XFS format is new to me, and I can't comment on the result if an XFS-formatted drive is accessed outside of the NAS environment (via a Windows system, either through either an external hard drive enclosure or an internal SATA install).
The web-based interface is simply laid out, and generally intuitive. It allows you to set up users and groups with different levels of access to directories you specify. However, the range of advance features is broad, and this is not a package for the technical novice.
The included utility disk includes programs (TurboCopy and TurboPC) designed to speed up file copying in Windows and optimize hard drive transfer speeds through RAM cache. I did not install or test either one.
It also includes a backup program, NovaBackup Professional. I have another backup program I use, but tested this anyway. NovaBackup Professional offers two methods of duplicating data: "backup" and "copy". Copy does just that, while "backup" breaks the total volume of copied data into roughly equal sized chunks of its proprietary file format (.ndb). When you need to recover them, it recreates the files in a destination location using its "restore" function. The "chunked" backup approach is primarily for users making their backups to tape instead of hard disks or solid state drives. If you're not backing up to tape, I don't see any value added to this approach (which mostly seems to add something else that can go wrong when you least want it to) and am sticking with my current backup solution (Centered Software's "Second Copy"), which recognized the NAS drives and copied data there without issue. If you don't have another backup application, then NovaBackup's copy function is easy to use for either manual or automated data archiving.
Here are some of this device's other capabilities that I haven't (and probably won't) exercise:
--NAS control and data access functions via the Internet. These "WebAccess" capabilities are facilitated via Buffalo's web site. The configuration instructions include this prudent caveat:
"WebAccess allows you and other people to access files on your computer from over the Internet. If you use WebAccess, configure your folder security settings carefully so that the right people (and only the right people) can access the shared folders." I don't have a pressing need to manage my data remotely to make this risk --even if small-- worthwhile. This not an evaluation of Buffalo's security, just an assessment of my own computing needs. The configuration instructions are detailed and well written.
--Print server. I don't need this, and prefer not to give up the added printer utilities that would be lost by controlling my printers outside of their native Windows environment.
--BitTorrent Client: I don't do peer-to-peer sharing. This isn't a value judgement on the practice; I just don't. The user guide includes this advice: "Warning: Do not download copyrighted files without permission from the owner." This is good advice. Not enabled by default.
--Web server: this device supports the following web services: HTML, CGI scripts, images, and JavaScript. It is not enabled by default, and the user guide includes the following: "The LinkStation's Web server is for advanced users only. Do not enable it unless you know what you're doing." Downright refreshing!
--MySQL server: Yeah, I could use this machine for MySQL services, if it were in my technical wheelhouse...but it's not. Not enabled by default, the user guide includes this advice: "A MySQL database may be installed and linked with the web server. The LinkStation's MySQL server is for advanced users only. Do not enable it unless you know what you're doing." Refreshing again.
--This device can serve multimedia content to DLNA-compatible hardware. I don't have any such harware, so couldn't test it. Hmmm: maybe time to shop for a new TV!
--This device can deliver iTunes content (MP3, M4A, and M4P) to networked machines. I was able to access and play both audio and video content from the NAS to two computers wirelessly accessing my network. Note: no value added for me since I have DRM-free (non-iTunes store content) music residing on multiple machines. If I wanted to centralize my multimedia content, I might consider a dedicated media server instead; I'm not familiar enough with the current market for these to make a recommendation.
Bottom line: If you understand the fundamentals --and a little more-- of file format choices, RAID configurations and the interaction of storage devices with local and extended networks: this is a great choice. If any of the above scares you, this might be more technology than you really need or can effectively manage.
Read the full review. Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo 2-bay 6 Tb (2 X 3 Tb) Raid High Performance Network Attached Storage (nas) - Ls-wv6.0tl/r1
Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo 2-bay 6 Tb Price
| List Price: | $549.99 |
| Price: | $430.99 |
| You Save: | $119.00 (22%) |
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Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo 2-bay 6 Tb Overview
LinkStation Pro Duo LS-WVL/R1 RAID Network Attached Storage hard drive array offers instant storage expansion and file access on your home or home office network and over the Internet. Twice as fast as a standard NAS, LS-WVL features a high-speed, 1.6 GHz processor with DDR3 for maximum transfer speeds up to 72 MBps. Plug it into any network Ethernet port or into the back of your wireless router and access it on any networked computer in your house. While on the go, use Buffalo's free Web Access service for remote access to your files over the Internet from any standard Web browser, on select Android phones and download the free Web Access i apps from the App Store to access and share files from your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Included Nova BACKUP Professional software for Windows and Time Machine support provide a whole home backup solution for every PC and Mac on your network. LinkStation Pro Duo makes central storage and backup easy.
Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo 2-bay 6 Tb Feature
- High performance 1.6 GHz processor
- Web Access App for your iPhone, iPod or iPad
- Nova BACKUP for Windows PCs
- Time Machine support for Macs
- High speed 70MB/s file transfer rate
- Bit Torrent Client
- Direct copy from your USB Hard Drive or camera
Size: 2 x 3 TB
If you need exelent product feature about Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo 2-bay 6 Tb you can click here and you see full information product feature for Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo 2-bay 6 Tb .
Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo 2-bay 6 Tb Detail
Size: 2 x 3 TB
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 3.4 x 5 inches ; 5.1 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
- Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
- ASIN: B005EJLFNI
- Item model number: LS-WV6.0TL/R1
