Seagate BlackArmor NAS 110 2 TB Network Attached Storage ST320005MNA10G-RK
- Designed to provide centralized storage and data backup for up to 10 PCs.
- Protect network connected PCs with incremental and full-system, automatic backup
- Secure files with powerful hardware-based encryption
- Functions as an FTP server, enabling remote file access
- Stream media to DLNA compliant devices and computers running iTunes software
Product Description
The BlackArmor NAS 110 server is a network attached storage solution designed to provide centralized storage, data backup and media streaming for up to 10 PCs. Help protect important data with automatic full-system backup, SafetyDrill+ bare metal recovery software and powerful hardware-based encryption.... More >>
To start with, this was a lovely piece of kit. Set up was a breeze, the web interface on the unit was very smooth, very well documented and easy to setup. The machine is almost silent when running, and runs cool, The software to talk to the unit installed easily on XP, Vista, 7 and OSX, working perfectly on all of them. The backup software, alas, I cannot review. After about 6 days of usage, an error light started glowing on the box. I went to the web interface, and it said the hard drive was failing – I contacted Seagate, who where moderately helpful. They told me I could put a new hard drive in, so long as it was on the list. I happened to have one that was, but that did not work. It became apparent that the board was the issue not the drive. So I put the drive into a computer, and no, it was the board and the drive. I tried to no avail to get more help from Seagate. In light of my experience I could not recommend this unit to anyone.
Rating: 1 / 5
I’ve had my Seagate BlackArmor NAS 110 2TB Network Attached Storage devices for less than 24 hours at this point, so I can’t speak to its reliability or stability over the long term yet, but I will say this thing was an absolute breeze to set up. Let me say up front that I am an IT professional, so if you are relatively inexperienced with networking and hardware you should perhaps take my review with a grain of salt. However, this was so easy to configure I really do think a novice could’ve done it nearly as quickly and easily as I did.
I hate when a new piece of hardware comes with a CD. Mice and keyboards do not typically need any software, nor do switches and routers, yet they always come with a Getting Started card that tells you the first step is to insert the CD. Typically, the only real point to any of this software is for the company to get a little bit of their brand welded into your Operating System somewhere. When I saw just such a Getting Started card and CD included with the BlackArmor NAS, I got a little worried.
First thing I did was plug the NAS into my network. I used my router admin screen to figure out the IP assigned to the device, crossed my fingers, and punched the IP address into my browser address bar. I was pleasantly surprised to find a web-based admin area very similar to what you’d find on any router or modem. Everything on the device is configurable from this admin interface, rendering the “required” software absolutely unnecessary. Within ten minutes of fiddling within the admin area and without reading a single piece of documentation, I had a couple of working network shares mapped (one private share each for me and my wife to backup our computers, and a public share so we can swap files when we need to) and a networked printer (previous to this we were each plugging the USB cable into our computers whenever we needed to print, which makes this solution so much more convenient). The network shares were created very easily using the wizard-like interface, so there was really no IT know-how required, and the printer was immediately recognized by the NAS like magic almost as soon as it was plugged in. Both the network shares and the printer only required minimal configuration on our computers to get it all connected.
I personally prefer to use the rsync command-line tool to back up my own Mac (though I’m thinking of trying out Time Machine), but I know my wife will want a backup solution she doesn’t have to manage herself or ever even think about, so I’m considering installing the NAS software on her PC, but I haven’t checked it out yet at all. I also can’t yet speak to any of the more advanced features of the NAS like media streaming or global access (being able to access your files from anywhere over the web), though I do plan to play around with these features down the road and may update my review here. I’ll also update my review with respect to stability and reliability as time goes on. For now, though, it’s already meeting my needs perfectly and I’m absolutely loving this little guy.
Rating: 5 / 5
I was interested in seeing how this would work with Linux computers on a network. While my own home network is not functional at present, I did enlist the help of a colleague with a lot of experience with Linux and networks.
We tested it first on a network in an office exclusively populated with Linux machines, and it worked quite well. I don’t know why one would need the Windows software, as most of the functionality of the NAS is in the firmware (and is apparently Linux-based anyway). The web-based interface came up quickly, and offered all the various back-up options, such as timed back-ups, back-up media type and location, and so on. It seemed pretty complete.
The included USB ports allow the use of external media as both source and destination for back-ups, and also the possible use of USB devices like printers across the network. We will try and test that more thoroughly and post results in an update.
After the initial tests, the NAS was moved to my colleague’s home network for extensive, longer-term testing. I especially want to see if we experience the failures after a few months which have been mentioned by others. That will be in a future update as well.
So far, it has proven easy to set up and use, and impressed my friend so much, he is seriously considering buying one himself.
Rating: 4 / 5
Very easy to install. No problems operating. Bundled with a “lite” version of Acronis backup software (good choice). Print server functionality extremely limited, however (disappointment). Overall, a good purchase decision.
Rating: 4 / 5
This was a bit difficult to set up, but I am not very computer savvy. It really works great though now that it is set up. Both PC’s and the laptop are on a network together. We can access the same files from all 3 computers. This is such a time-saver. I finally got all 3 computers to print from the same printer too. I love this item. I actually was going to give it away, but my husband talked me into keeping it and I am so glad that I did keep it.
Rating: 4 / 5