D-Link launches 2-bay network storage enclosure
By Donald Melanson 
posted Aug 31st 2006 7:30PM
posted Aug 31st 2006 7:30PM
D-Link has added another option to its line-up of network storage solutions, the dual-bay bring-yo'-own-drives DNS-323 Network Storage Enclosure. Just drop either one or two 3.5-inch SATA drives into this sucker and you'll be able to access your files on your home network and anywhere else via the Internet thanks to the little black box's built-in FTP server. It also packs UPnP AV support for streaming content to compatible media players, as well as a USB print server port. Unlike D-Link's DSM-G600, however, this one doesn't have any built-in WiFi capabilities. If that's not too much of an inconvenience, you can snag one of these right now for $229.99, and apparently even under $200 at some retailers. [Via TG Daily]
I can buy a barebones DNS-323 for $149 CDN.
I have been using a DNS-323 since it was released (over a year now). I love it. I access it via my Mac OS X and Vista boxes.
I have mine configured as a 1TB RAID 0 setup on a gigabit network. Everything is backed up and archived so I don't care if the array goes down. It is nice to have a speedy/low power/silent storage device on the network.
The main point of 2 bay NAS boxes is they have RAID 1 potential, so the stuff you are storing on them actually has a level of redundancy. Who trusts their data to just one drive these days? It's surprising there are so few around.
I don't have my reading glasses for the small print on the product page, but if this one rebuilds a RAID 1 mirror and is fast over a network, I'm vaguely interested...
I don't trust my data RAID either. One drive for all my data, two external drives of the same capacity. Every week, I rsync all of them, and turn the externals completely off.
I'm sorry, this is how much? When you can pick up a fully populated 1TB box capable of running raid 5 for $550 this just seems obscenely expensive. Whilst you could pick up a couple of 500GB drives for $160 each if you really shop around, you'd still end up paying about the same for a vastly less useful bit of kit.
Where can I get a 1TB RAID5 box with drives for $550?
Is it me, or does thing look like a toaster?
This is a very reasonable price for a network appliance. It's ment as an alternative to those who don't want to build their own file server, keep up with software/OS updates or just have the money to spend (etc). Most respecting geek would like to have more control and build a box for themselves... this is a good alternative at a very good price (if you want to see network appliances with crazy prices check out ones that come with HDs... last time I checked Lacie's 2 TB network device was selling for upwards of 1850$).
- Tony R.
Well, Netgear's got one of these puppies too - the SC101 (http://www.netgear.com/Products/Storage/NetworkStorage/SC101.aspx)
The problem is, you can't use an existing NTFS or Fat32 drive in it. You must reformat the drives to fit the enclosure. Also, there's been alot of complaints about the Netgear product. Maybe that's why it's around $100.
Just bought a similar single drive product, Metal Gear's Galaxy 3507LR - network enabled enclosure. Works well as long as you reformat your drive to Fat32. They're not really up front about that little fact in the sales info.
Hi KLM, how is that 3507LR been working for you? I was thinking of buying one so I wanted to know how it was.
This looks like it might be the Netgear SC-101 done right. Simple, fairly cheap box.....slide in two drives, plug in network cable....use. No cranky client software on the PC like the SC-101 needs. I'll wait for reviews, but so far, I'm interested.
Rik,
I'm interested in one of those "fully populated 1TB box capable of running raid 5 for $550"
Where can I purchase them?
Looks like a cheap toaster to me.
It's looking better and better... it runs Linux...
from the firmware: Linux-2.6.6-arm2
Go take a look at outpost.com - the website for frys
http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BHsyrNXy6qyJI05pdsE7m6Q**.node1%7D/product/4633698;jsessionid=HsyrNXy6qyJI05pdsE7m6Q**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
It doesn't seem to support Macs, same as the Netgear Storage Central in that respect.
Does this device support Samba/Windows File Sharing? I looked all over the tech specs and couldn't find anything regarding the network protocols it can support, except it has a FTP Server.
Or is this one of those devices that require a proprietary driver in order to access it?
Mmmm. Networkable toasters...
@ RikF:
Thanks for the link. Good price, but I thought I'd seen that NAS before:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2005/11/15/review_p400t/page8.html
I skipped to the end where Jim Buzbee gave his recommendations, but you can of course go back and read the whole review if you like. Bottom line: it's an ok NAS, but compared to competing NASs, it falls short. Good price find though!
Buyer beware.
Go take a look at outpost.com - the website for frys
http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BHsyrNXy6qyJI05pdsE7m6Q**.node1%7D/product/4633698;jsessionid=HsyrNXy6qyJI05pdsE7m6Q**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Considering Fry's reputation for selling reconditioned items and the fact that you can't find it for under $900 on pricegrabber, I would be leary about making this purchase.
@SleepyBum,
Yes this device supports windows file sharing. i.e. reachable by \hd1hdd_0 for example. To the people that think this plus the drives makes it overall too expensive, thats what I thought when I bought DLink's single-drive enclosure the GSM-D600 - after some months of using it however i've come to rely on it heavily because it's extremely handy having it attached to my home LAN via gigabit ethernet since with 8 computers including two HTPC's in the house, its the one windows share that's ALWAYS availability and you don't have to leave a PC on 24x7 to have access to the data.
Thanks Jiggsaw,
Just wanted to confirm it does use Windows File Sharing instead of some proprietary software. Also, I googled this:
http://products.datamation.com/dms/extdrives/1156864461.html
"The vendor notes that the drive can additionally be accessed by Linux and Mac OS X machines; however the included software CD is supported only on Windows machines."
So guess it supports Samba/Windows sharing, but not AFP or NFS, which is fine for me. As I mostly use Windows machine with one linux server.
Well looks like this is the product I've been looking for. The Infrant ReadyNAS NV sounded excellent, but the price is a bit too high. The Thecus N2100 is an okay price, but some scary reviews/reports on it having completely lost all data.
This does RAID 1 and has a good price. Hopefully, the performance and reliability will be there, and will be quiet/silent as well.
Like Jiggsaw said, leaving this on 24/7 would probably save electricity bill vs a computer file server. Can't wait for the reviews.