Shivam
Well-Known Member
I have recently bought Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ (4 bay model) for using it as a media server.
It is as the name says a Network Attached Storage with bays for upto 4 HD. NV+ supports upto 2 TB whereas the new version NV+ V2 supports even 3TB. It runs on a very small footprint gnu-linux based operating system.
Features-
http, https, ftp support
bittorrent
dlna
itunes server
upnp server
USB ports for connecting printers, UPS or even another storage device.
I installed two 2TB hard discs and connected it to my existing wired network. First thing was to update the firmware (which turned out to be a mistake) and the factory default. It led to format of both the new hard discs and preparation of the RAID which got completed overnight.
Now I started copying my music to the NAS and felt the copying speed to be very slow. Later on searching the various forums I found out the problem of speed drop with the new firmware. I downloaded the old firmware and downgraded the NAS. After a few minutes it was up again and the speed was better. I then switched off the journaling option. This further improved the copying speed.
One has to understand that this is a network storage and so the copying will always be slower than directly connected sata hard discs.
Once the NAS was up and running, I found it to be very comfortable. I can access the music on my notebook, desktop, media player in my listening room and my wife is happy for she can access the music on her android phone. Very easy to configure and use.
I installed a printer through the USB port and now it is available on my wife. I can print documents directly from my laptop.
I don't use bittorrent so I can't comment on it but users of this NAS say that it's a very good feature to download files without switching on the computer. The files can be added to the download list even from a connected phone.
My advice for future buyers of this NAS-
Don't update the firmware.
Switch off the journaling.
Buy NV+ if you like a simple setup. If you need better processor and an interface with bells and whistles then opt for NV+ V2.
It is as the name says a Network Attached Storage with bays for upto 4 HD. NV+ supports upto 2 TB whereas the new version NV+ V2 supports even 3TB. It runs on a very small footprint gnu-linux based operating system.
Features-
http, https, ftp support
bittorrent
dlna
itunes server
upnp server
USB ports for connecting printers, UPS or even another storage device.
I installed two 2TB hard discs and connected it to my existing wired network. First thing was to update the firmware (which turned out to be a mistake) and the factory default. It led to format of both the new hard discs and preparation of the RAID which got completed overnight.
Now I started copying my music to the NAS and felt the copying speed to be very slow. Later on searching the various forums I found out the problem of speed drop with the new firmware. I downloaded the old firmware and downgraded the NAS. After a few minutes it was up again and the speed was better. I then switched off the journaling option. This further improved the copying speed.
One has to understand that this is a network storage and so the copying will always be slower than directly connected sata hard discs.
Once the NAS was up and running, I found it to be very comfortable. I can access the music on my notebook, desktop, media player in my listening room and my wife is happy for she can access the music on her android phone. Very easy to configure and use.
I installed a printer through the USB port and now it is available on my wife. I can print documents directly from my laptop.
I don't use bittorrent so I can't comment on it but users of this NAS say that it's a very good feature to download files without switching on the computer. The files can be added to the download list even from a connected phone.
My advice for future buyers of this NAS-
Don't update the firmware.
Switch off the journaling.
Buy NV+ if you like a simple setup. If you need better processor and an interface with bells and whistles then opt for NV+ V2.