Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)(Read the updates at the end; way too many bugs in the product for me...)
Original review:
I have to say WOW - my expectations were low at the time of ordering, but it far exceeded my expecations so far.
Pros:
1. Small and fast (ethernet performance seems to be fine on my 802.11G network, but I will be testing it on gigabit network next week and will update)
2. No noise or too much heat!
3. Plug and play operation and an easy to use Web GUI
4. Great price!
Cons:
1. user manual!
Here is some more nuts and bolts on this product:
The setup CD that came with it is a little confusing. So here is how to set this up:
1. Connect the system to your Wireless/wired router, and power it on.
2. Use the included CD and run setup from one of the connected machines (no need to install on all the machines or no need to be connected by wire). Just set the IP address and name of the NAS BOX.
I set up a static IP address for this so that there are no issues of IP address changing over a period. (my wireless router's DHCP server is setup such that it allocates 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.10 to any notebooks that use DHCP to connect to, and the rest for me to manually assign to devices such as my game box, blu-ray player, networked receiver and my wireless printer (and now this GigaNAS product).
The install program is only good for these 2 settings - IP address and the NAS box name. Quit this once you are done. (you can also change the admin password)
3. Open a browser from any connected system, and type "[...]. This opens up a login screen. From this point onwards, you can follow the manual for further instructions.
By default, it is set for Raid 1 (backup copy of disk 1 on disk 2) which is ok for most people. Since the average life of hard disks can be one or 2 years some times, it is good to have this data recoverable. If you want RAID0 (so that you get to use 2TB fully, but without backup), you can set this up on the web GUI screens.
4. Create as many shares as you want, though for most users, it is good to have one guest/public share which is used for all the music/video/picture files shared within the house and other accounts for private files that you don't want to share.
5. Now, from "My computer --> My network places" you will see this NAS (default name: Giganas). You can open this, right click, and map network drive option to permanently make it as a drive on your system (for e.g. as z: drive) you will be prompted for user name and password for accessing this share - when you do that, remember to check the box for "remember this and reconnect at logon" option.
6. "My computer" should show this share as a drive and you can use it normally like a local drive now.
Update: 9/12/2009: If I can go back and reduce the rating, I will only give it a 3 stars (even that because of the good sale price I paid for it in Amazon). The troubles I am facing now are this:
1. Seems to get disconnected after a couple of days, and once it is disconnected, I have no way of shutting it down except pulling the plug out - that scares me since the hard disk light comes on and off.
2. Firmware upgrade - I did one, but to do that, the documentation says, I need to take the hard disk out. Why?? Just take the disks off line and shut the NAS access and it should be able to do firmware upgrade? And the most interesting thing is this: to disconnect hard disks, I have to open the box and there is a sticker on the screw that says,"warranty void if seal is broken". How am I supposed to do a firmware if I cannot open the box? Looks like Cavalry storage have thought everything nicely and contradicting themselves in every possible way!
3. Some of the files I copied have become read-only for some reason, and I am not able to reset their permissions from any of the Windows systems I am using to connect to it. This is a basic flaw in the system.
2 stars is all I should have given for this!
Update: 12/12/2010:
It is still working as a network share well; one hard disk went away and I was able to reconstruct (using Raid 1). And it is quite enough that I don't notice it that much (compared to the Netgear ReadyNas this one is quieter).
But there was an update to the DLNA software - Syabase media server add-on. This is one of the worst software I have seen in a long time. It is sooooo slow (may be it is the Cand box and not the software, but the combination definitely doesn't work well). More than being slow, it just doesn't work correctly. I have about 100+Gbytes of music (about 30K+ songs in thousands of folders). Syabase just gives up after the first 4 or 5 folders :) not even say, some 100 folders. So as a media server or UPNP this is not usable at all. All I can do is connect it as a network drive and browse to it using a computer and play from the computer. My networked Denon or blu-ray players can't really use the music directly.
Click Here to see more reviews about:
Cavalry Storage CAND Series 2 TB RJ 45 2-bay RAID Network Attached Storage (NAS) External Hard Drive CAND3002T0The CAND Series is Cavalry\'s new Network Attached Storage system. The CAND is a cost-effective external network disk array designed for the home or small office user. Connect it directly to your network and share your data with everyone on the network without a server computer, even while reading or writing data. Use it as an FTP server, media storage server or back up critical data. Network setup is simple, and you can leave the CAND on indefinitely after installation, meaning your files are always accessible. And setting up a print server without a dedicated computer is easy--just connect your printer to the built-in USB 2.0 port of the CAND! The dual-bay array is encased in solid aluminum, boasting exceptional heat dissipation, remarkable durability, state-of-the art shock absorption and superior all-around performance. The large 2.5-inch cooling fan keeps the temperature safe and cool.
Get 25% OFF
Click here for more information about Cavalry Storage CAND Series 2 TB RJ 45 2-bay RAID Network Attached Storage (NAS) External Hard Drive CAND3002T0
