Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas For Sale
Purchase the Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas. This sought after stuff is currently available. For this great price, the Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas is widely recommended and is a regular choice amongst lots of people. With so many on offer these days, it is great to have a name you can believe. This item is certainly that and will be a perfect buy. The distributor have provided some great touches and this results in good value. You can believe this review, i hope you can try to buy this product if you want know this product. My hobby is photography, and over the last 20 years I've accumulated a large (1.6Tb) catalog of family photos and videos (I've digitised all my slides, negatives and video tapes in order to preserve them). They are hence very precious to me and I am fairly paranoid about losing them to a hard disk failure, so have over the years invested in a series of ever-larger external hard drives to back my collection up to.
Recently I did have a multi-drive solution (Western Digital My Book Mirror Edition 2TB USB 2.0 (WDH2U20000N)) - and it worked great initially (for a year or so) but as time passed the interface (USB 2.) was a bottleneck, it's a point solution (not on the home network - I have to plug it in to any PC I want to back up), and it only holds two hard-drives (my data needs grew too fast for just two drives). I looked at upgrading that to the newest version as of this writing (Western Digital My Book World Edition II - 6 TB (2 x 3 TB) Network Attached Storage - which can be on the home network so I can back up my other family computers too, and is quite capacious at 6Tb - but it's only two drives so if one fails it's toast (unless I configure it to only have 3Tb of space, which is insufficient), and capacity is still limited as it's only two drives (the problem I gradually had with the previous one).
I also looked at plugging external drives like the ones mentioned above into my home router (NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N300 Gigabit Router with USB WNR3500L) but again capacity was limited, USB 2.0 is slow, it's still vulnerable to hard disk failure, so didn't work very well.
What I really needed was a more-than-two-hard-drive solution that plugs into the network that is fast, as reliable as possible, expandable and brain-dead easy to use. I seriously considered the Drobo FS (Drobo FS 5-bay Gbe Storage Array) for this purpose, along with maybe a pile of extra-reliable hard drives (e.g. Western Digital 2 TB RE4-GP SATA 3 Gb/s Intellipower 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Enterprise Hard Drive - WD2002FYPS). It looks easy enough to screw together and easy to use. Also, another alternative I considerd was this: Buffalo Technology TeraStation Pro Quad 8 TB (4 x 2 TB) RAID Windows Storage Server WS-QV8.0TL/R5 (black). However instead, I went for the item being reviewed, for the following reasons:
- Unlike the Drobo, the DX4000 comes with four extra-reliable hard drives (Western Digital 2 TB RE4-GP SATA 3 Gb/s Intellipower 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Enterprise Hard Drive - WD2002FYPS) built-in, which at the time of writing is cheaper to buy than individually with the Robo Case, and also means I don't have to plug them in myself.
- Unlike the Drobo solution and Buffalo, the hard drives and the case they are in are all from the same manufacturer (Western Digital), so will have been extensively tested together etc. and so I feel better about how well they will all work together from a reliability and performance perspective, which is of paramount importance to me. They are all also covered under the same warranty in the DX4000, of course (which can be extended if I need it to be).
- The DX4000 has, in my opinion, better Enterprise-grade software running upon it than the Drobo - specifically, Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials. The Drobo runs on a version of Linux customised by Drobo, which I personally do not trust to work as well. The Buffalo solution runs Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Workgroup Edition, also a very good choice in my opinion. Both of these solutions are based upon the latest version of Microsofts' Server Enterprise-grade Operating System (Windows Server Standard 2008 R2 with SP1 x64 1pack DSP OEI 1-4CPU 5 Client), a key feature for me as I think Microsoft knows more about Enterprise Software than the manufacturers of Drobo.
- The DX4000 supports two power supplies for increased redundancy, a feature I made use of by simply buying a second one direct from Western Digital's web site.
- The DX4000 supports two network cables, again for reliability but also for performance. I made use of this feature too by buying a second cable, also from Western Digital's web site (even though it's cheaper elsewhere but for the price heck just give me a cable I know will work and I will pay a bit more for it for this purpose).
- Solutions such as this one from any manufacturer are vulnerable to power failure - they must be shut down cleanly; yanking the plug, power cuts or brown-outs are likely to cause Bad Things To Happen (like data corruption). I once lost some of my data when this happened to me (some data got partially corrupted upon RAID rebuild, for you techies out there). So a dedicated Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a requirement in my opinion; I exhort anyone to not buy this unit (or another like it) UNLESS you have a UPS for it, too. I got this one: CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPS 1000VA 600W PFC Compatible Pure Sine Wave- which has a USB cable which plugs into one of the ports on the back of the DX4000 and tells it when power is about to go out so it can shut down (by default it will hibernate when there is only 7% of the battery left). The DX4000 seems to use about 41 watts when it is running, and this UPS says on it's little display that it can run for about an hour without power on that load plus my router (NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N300 Gigabit Router with USB WNR3500L) and my cable-modem before automatically, and safely shutting down.
- This unit has the new USB 3.0 ports on the back so permitting me to expand it's capacity by plugging in external drives, which is easy and very fast thanks to it being version 3.0 rather than the more common 2.0. One is used by the UPS now so I only have one other to use but I could use a powered hub if I needed it.
In use, this unit was extremely easy to set up and configure- I just plugged it in, waited for it to display it was ready on it's little external display (took about 10 minutes), and on each PC on my home network opened a browser to the address given in the instructions and followed the prompts. Backup software was installed, and so was some software to manage it. (I have only PC's at home - laptops mostly- so did not try the Mac functionality although that is supported according to the documentation.) All very easy to use; could not really have been simpler. Zero tech skills required. It's very quiet too so I am able to sit it on a shelf where I have my cable modem and you would not know it is there. It is nice and small, as well so was easy to hide away.
It has 5.39Tb of free capacity once all is said and done for actually storing files and backups. Upgrading the internal disks looks to be very easy - no tools required and you don't even have to power the unit off - just pull out and replace one disk at a time, let the unit rebuild the data onto the new disk - then replace the next disk until you've changed all four disks (if you want). So with 3Tb disks instead of the 2Tb disks this one comes with that would give you 4Tb more capacity (of which about only 3Tb would be usable by the time it's been formatted etc.) Note that only specific disks from Western Digital are supported internally by this unit so you will not be able to throw in any old hard drives you have lying around, as you can with the Drobo, for example. You could use them for external expansion though via the USB 3.0 port in this unit.
It can be configured to email you when there are issues, for example when a PC on the network has not been backed up for a few days. PC's in the house do not need to be left on to be backed up, either - the unit will (optionally) wake them from sleep mode in the middle of the night (or whenever you choose) to back them up. However if powered off then this will not work of course, hence the alerts letting you know this. Backups can be manually kick-started of course and you can include external disks on your PC's for backup as well if you want.
You can browse and store/retrieve any data stored on the unit over a secured Internet connection if you want e.g. if you are in the Office and want some file or other from your unit at home. I don't need this feature so did not enable it but some will no doubt find this useful.
Performance is very good - I get around 80Mb/s to it over my wired LAN using the router mentioned above. The drives are only 5200 RPM efforts though - would have been nice if Western Digital had used the faster 7200 RPM versions but I presume this is for lower power consumption and better reliability though so I am not complaining - it's fast enough to max out my LAN as it is and hopefully faster drives will be supported in the future.
Negative features: I really haven't come across anything I don't like about this unit at all, yet - it's absolutely awesome and exactly what I have been looking for for a loooong time. If I HAD to moan about one thing it would be the brightness of the blue lights on the display and for each of the drives - as my unit lives where I can see it out of the corner of my eye when watching TV then it was a bit distracting sometimes. I could not find a way to darken the display - so I just turned the unit to face sideways rather than at the room, and now I can't see it's flickering lights so not much of an issue, really. Other than that minor niggle I love this unit and feel much better about my valuable data and love how easy it is to keep my entire household's computer collection easily backed up and with pretty minimal power consumption too. Very highly recommended.
**Power Users**: If you are technically inclined, then you might like to know you can Remote Desktop to this device from a PC on your network, and it looks like any other Windows Server at which you log on; allowing you to install your choice of software on it and configure it how you would like. You can enable compression on the data drive, for example. I installed the CrashPlan client on my DX4000, which is spending a few months backing my unit's entire data drive up to the Internet for additional safety. I also hooked up an external hard drive to my unit and used SyncToy to copy data off of it to the internal drive array, which was much quicker via USB 3.0 than doing it over the LAN (even though the same objective could be and was achieved of course). This unit is also running Windows Internet Information Server 7.5 so you can host a web site or FTP site if you want from this device or do anything you can on IIS 7.5, pretty much. You can also join it to your Domain, if you have one (it cannot BE a Domain Controller, though). Also join it to your HomeGroup if you have one. You could probably install SQL Server too if you wanted but installed memory is only 2Gb so that might not work very well (I didn't try). Lighter-memory-footprint databases might, though. It runs version 4.0 of the .Net framework so put any Windows software you want on it, in theory. Interestingly, Task Manager displays 4 CPU's - I think the dual-core CPU (an Intel Atom D525 1.8 GHz) must be hyper-threaded too, making it a little more capable (yet still power-efficient). Basically the OS is a feature-reduced version of the full Windows Server 2008 R2 Product so there is a great deal of scope for messing about with it, if you are so inclined. Please feel free to ask me questions about this if you are interested via comments on this review; I will try my best to answer them.
Read the full review. Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas
Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas Price
| Price: | $770.99 |
You can also see information on the sellers, including their customer feedback ratings, shipping rates, rebate policies, and special offers.
Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas Overview
WD Sentinel Small Office Storage Server - Connect. Protect. Collaborate.
WD Sentinel is easy to install and provides secure centralized storage, complete data protection, and remote file access for your employees while in the office or from anywhere with a network connection. Featuring hardware and software from industry leaders it delivers a reliable, secure, and easy-to-manage storage server designed specifically for small office environments.
Easy-to set up. Easy to manage.
Designed to be up and running in minutes. WD Sentinel comes with everything you need to centralize your business files. Once it's set up, it intelligently manages drive and network status, reducing maintenance time so you can focus on your business.
Enterprise-class data protection for your small business.
Built-on proven technologies from industry leaders, WD Sentinel small office server offers your business a complete data protection solution for your peace of mind.
Built-in remote access.
Enhance your business efficiency and productivity by enabling anytime, anywhere access to your business information. Your employees and trusted partners have secure access to your company files without the complexity and expense of a VPN solution.
Plug-and-play installation - The easy set up process allows the small business owner or IT consultant to integrate WD Sentinel into your office network like a pro. The administration dashboard quickly guides the user through the set up process including adding users, setting up user access, creating public or private shares, and scheduling backups.
Easy maintenance - Replacing one of the pre-installed drives or adding an additional drive is as easy as changing a light bulb. Just open the door and swap out the drives. WD Sentinel does the rest. It seamlessly migrates the server to the appropriate RAID level and automatically expands the server's storage capacity. Connected users can still access critical business data while the drive is being integrated. No data loss. No down time.
Secure remote access - WD Sentinel is perfect for businesses with employees working in satellite or home offices because you have the security of knowing all your business files are safely stored in one place and remote employees can access them from any computer with an Internet connection. WD Sentinel also performs automatic daily backups so all of the files on all the computers in the network are backed up and protected.
LCD Display panel readily offers critical information - The LCD display panel on the front of the device allows the user to monitor the system status and critical alerts.
Realtime system status through the administration dashboard - View realtime updates for drive, RAID, and network status through WD Sentinel's dashboard, which includes easy-to-use task wizards to help the user set backup schedules, administer user accounts, and manage public and private shares.
A total solution with industry-leading technology partners - We combined hardware and software from industry leaders to deliver a reliable, secure and easy-to-manage storage server designed specifically for small office environments. WD Sentinel features:
- WD hard drives - Featuring hard drives optimized for reliability, quality and performance.
- Intel Atom processor - Built with the latest Intel Atom dual core processor inside, WD Sentinel DX4000 can easily handle a small business's day-to-day computing and file storage demands.
- Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials - WD Sentinel DX4000 uses the tested Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials operating system to provide the cost effective, reliable, and scalable storage solution a small business needs to quickly and efficiently organize, protect, and share critical business data using the familiar Windows user experience.
Leading-edge performance - With dual Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, WD Sentinel DX4000 delivers read speeds up to 100 MBps through the Gigabit Ethernet interface. That's four times faster than most network drives in this category today. For maximum flexibility there is also a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port that offers connectivity for additional storage devices and up to 5Gb/s transfer rates.
Compatible with multiple operating systems - WD Sentinel includes the Connector software for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X Leopard, Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Mac OS X Lion*. Support for major network file-system protocols enables cross-platform compatibility and file sharing among Windows, Mac and Unix/Linux operating systems.
*May require updating your system with latest MS and WD updates.
Stream digital media anywhere in the network - With the built-in DLNA media server, connected employees can access any shared media libraries on the network rather than maintaining copies on their individual computers. Companies can also stream digital content like videos, music, or digital signage for employees, vendors or clients using remote web access.
Comprehensive data protection.
- Pre-configured with WD's reliable and durable enterprise-class drives
- RAID level 1/5 for protection and speed
- Automatic backup and restore
- Dual Ethernet ports provide redundancy
- Optional backup power supply for increased uptime
- Optional off-site disaster recovery protection
WD Guardian Services for Small Business support- WD offers standard customer support and warranty to all WD Sentinel owners. WD Guardian Services provide additional support and warranty options for small business customers. Choose from various technical support plans and extended warranty services that work best for your business.
Ideal for
- Creating a secure small office network for up to 25 computers
- Protecting your critical business data with comprehensive data protection – WD drives, RAID, automatic backup, dual Ethernet ports, optional power supply and optional disaster recovery
- Setting up automatic backups for up to 25 computers
- Restoring files to their previous location in the event of a system failure
- Providing secure remote access to satellite offices and employees who work remotely
- Offering cross platform file sharing with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems
- Connecting and powering through your USB interface
What's in the box
Small Office Storage Server, RJ45 Ethernet cable, AC Adapter with power cord, Quick Install Guide.
Compatibillity
WD Sentinel includes the Connector software for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X Leopard and Mac OS Snow Leopard. Support for major network file-system protocols enables cross-platform compatibility and file sharing among Windows, Mac and Unix/Linux operating systems.
To learn more about Technical Specifications, click here.
Features at a glance
- Plug-and-play installation
- Easy drive maintenance with automatic RAID migration and capacity expansion
- Built-in secure remote access
- Automatic backups for up to 25 computers on the network
- Easy restore functionality in case of system failure
- Easy administration with LCD panel and administration dashboard
- Dual Gigabit Ethernet for speed and increased system uptime
- USB 3.0 port for USB connectivity
- Built-in DLNA media server
Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas Feature
- Plug-and-play installation
- Comprehensive data protection.
- Built-in secure remote access.
Size: 4 TB
If you need great product feature about Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas you can click here and you see full information product feature for Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas.
Wd 4tb Wd Sentinel Dx4000 Small Business Network File Storage Server Nas Detail
Size: 4 TB
- Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 8.1 inches ; 10.8 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 17 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
- Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
- ASIN: B005INAKGI
- Item model number: WDBLGT0040KBK-NESN
