LaCie 301355U 5TB 5big Network Hard Drive
From Lacie
The LaCie 5big Network is ideal for easily storing, sharing, securing, and backing up your office¿s files. It comes with five internal bays, and up to an astonishing 7.5TB of storage capacity. You can customize it even further by adding more external hard disks to the 5big Network using its four external ports. Fully compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, it supports most popular access protocols and allows up to 25 network users to access it concurrently. Thanks to the secure RAID modes, including RAID 5 and RAID 6, the 5big Network enables you to keep data access even if one disk fails. ¿Spare¿ modes allow a second level of protection; a sort of ¿automatic maintenance¿ that will immediately start rebuilding the RAID protection in case of a disk failure. Get extra security and increase data portability by backing up your 5big Network to an external hard drive through its USB 2.0 and eSATA 3GB/s ports. Backup with the 5big is easy and customizable; you can opt for daily or weekly backups, or choose a time or date that works for you. By using an incremental backup system, the 5big Network automatically saves you time by only backing up new files. It¿s easy to control data access by assigning various security levels to users, and with Windows ADS domain support, there¿s no need to recreate user and group accounts. End users do not need to create new passwords and usernames, making the 5big Network as convenient as it is safe. The 5big Network also provides its administrator with notifications via email of events like backup, RAID construction, and downloads, as well as high temperate, disk damage, and fan damage alerts. Box Content: LaCie 5big Network, Ethernet cable, External power supply, Utilities CD-ROM with software & User Manual, Quick Install Guide, LaCie Network Assistant (Windows, Mac & Linux), Genie Backup Manager Pro for Windows and Intego Backup Manager Pro for Mac (3 licenses)
- Size: 5TB
- Brand: LaCie
- Model: 301355U
- Platform: Windows
- Format: CD
- Dimensions: 13.00" h x 10.00" w x 13.25" l, 21.70 pounds
- Hard Disk: 1TB
The LaCie 301355U 5TB 5big Network Hard Drive is the most complete five-bay RAID solution for small and medium workgroups or offices that need large storage and backup capacity, fast performance, and advanced security. This networked RAID storage solution offers support for seven different RAID modes, giving you the flexibility and superior data protection you need.
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 The 5big can accommodate five drives. View larger. |
 The blue button can be set to automatically back up data when pushed. View larger. |
The 5TB 5big includes 5 TB of disk space, enough to store your important data, digital media files, and more. If you need a different amount of disk space, the 5big drives also come in 2.5 TB and 7.5 TB versions. You can also easily upgrade the disk drives later if you choose by installing compatible drives (sold separately). Because the 5big features hot-swappable drives that are easily accessed using a drive-tray system, increasing capacity is extremely simple.
The 5big gives you the option of seven different RAID modes: RAID 0, RAID 5, RAID 5+Spare, RAID 3, RAID 3+Spare, Concatenation, and RAID 10. Depending on the RAID mode you choose, you can either optimize the 5big for faster performance and higher storage space, or for more protection. (Please note that depending on the configuration, the usable amount of space for this model might be less than 2 TB.)
Gigabit Ethernet for Outstanding Network Performance
The 5big uses a Gigabit Ethernet connection for fast network performance and supports up to 25 concurrent network users. All the computers in your network--whether they are PCs, Macs, or Linux--will connect without problems, thanks to support for SMB, AFP, and other protocols. There is also support for FTP and HTTP servers, and even a built-in BitTorrent client that lets you download BitTorrent files without leaving your computer on.
Expansion Ports for External Drives, Digital Cameras, and More
The 5big Network features one Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connection and three eSATA connections for additional storage, data import, and external backups. Digital Cameras and flash drives can be connected directly, and the contents can be automatically imported with the push of a button.
Easy, Web-Based Administration
The 5big uses a web-based administration that is easy to use and can be accessed from any computer on the network. Administrators can set various security levels with different users, groups, and public access. The 5big Network will also automatically notify the administrator of events like completion of backups, downloads, and problems such as a drive failure.
 Hard disks are placed on the disk tray and then slid into the drive bay. View larger. |
The 5big is designed by renowned designer Neil Poulton and features a striking, minimalist aluminum design that complements and enhances you work environment. The design is stackable to save space, and it features a round blue button in the center that lights up. The glowing blue button does more than just look good; pushing it will automatically back up an attached external hard drive, digital camera, or flash drive to the 5big.
Smart Fan Technology Keeps Drive Cool and Volume Low
LaCie chose Noctua and their ultra-quiet NF-P12 fan technology to provide superior cooling performance at a volume of fewer than 19 dBA. The Noctua is rated at 150,000 hours MTBF and makes the 5big perfect for noise-sensitive environments.
Energy-Saving Design is Good for Environment
The 5big Network was made with energy savings in mind, and LaCie has reduced power consumption of the 5big by 25 percent when compared to the previous generation 4-disk RAID solutions. Additionally, the 5big can be set to automatically go into standby mode, reducing power consumption by up to 75 percent.
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The 5big comes with three licenses each for Genie Backup Manager Pro for PCs and Intego Backup Manager Pro for Macs, making back up and computer recovery easy.
The LaCie 5big Network measures 8.6 x 7.7 x 6.8 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 16.8 lbs. It is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
What's in the Box
5big drive, Ethernet cable, external power supply, utilities CD-ROM, quick install guide, LaCie Network Assistant, backup software for PC and Mac (3 licenses each)
A good product that works....kind of
I have recently purchased a LaCie 5big 5TB and my happiness is very limited. I can only give you my point of view as a Mac user since my environment is Mac only.
It looks nice, it works but I have experienced some strange behaviours with the product. I'm using a MacBook Pro 15'' (latest version) with a wireless communication over my network and a Mac Mini which is wired to my network (Ethernet). Both Macs run Mac OS X 10.5.6 (all updates done).
1. When receiving the box there was no installation CD in the package.
Fine, I can live with that and before using it I downloaded the latest patches and software updates and applied them to the unit. I chose to format the 5big in RAID 5 + spare.
2. When connecting via FTP to the 5big there is a strange mixup. Assume I have 2 shares A and B. When browsing to see the content of share A, I see the content of share B.
I've tried with 2 FTP clients (Cyberduck and Transmit). Both FTP clients give the same result.
3. There is a utility called LaCie Network Assistant. When running this software both Macs produce Kernel Panics when resuming from sleep.
I've contacted LaCie support in Belgium on points 2 and 3. What can I say...the helpdesk wasn't very helpful....their advice was limited to "reformat the NAS", "reset the NAS", "apply the latest patches", "try it on another network". Great.
Nobody took into account the fact that when NOT running LaCie Network Assistant, I could put the computer to sleep without having a Kernel Panic on wake.
After that you're on your own, literally. So as a rule of thumb I'd suggest NOT to run LaCie Network Assistant. I had set it to open at login and the application just quit after opening like 3 times out of 4.
4. AFP communication broke down, but that's a "known issue" and I can't judge if this is LaCie's fault or a poor implementation by Apple Inc. But the steps mentioned here (http://www.burchwords.com/archives/99) can give you AFP back.
A consumer product of more than 1.000 EUR should be of better quality IMHO.
I can only hope that LaCie will push out updates for this thing.
Excellent Drive, Excellent Interface ... Customer Service SUCKS!!!
I love the drive ... solid, fast, very quiet and cool for a 5TB NAS. Also the interface is excellent, well thought out, and snappy. I give the actual Network Drive itself 5 stars ... even though I think that it may be watching watching me when I work.
Customer service is just about the absolute worst in the industry ... I give them 1 star for having a phone number that actually rings, even if no one ever answers it. I sent emails, used their website question area, waited on hold for over an hour ... never got to speak to a live person, never had any of my emails returned or questions answered.
Conclusion: Averaging my product score with the customer service score, I give them THREE STARS. Great NAS, but if you feel that you may have even one question about the product that will need to be answered, buy something else ...
:-)
LaCie customer service is excellent, this particular model is bad
I purchased this LaCie 5big hard drive to be used as a share drive for 6 people. It was horrible. We had so much trouble getting this device to work.
However, LaCie customer service was excellent. Just wonderful to work with. We ultimately swapped the 5big model for the LaCie 301420U 1TB 2BIG Network Attached Storage Gigabit Ethernet Hard Drive with 2-Disk RAID, which works just perfectly. If you are not an IT expert, I would recommend you go with a different LaCie model.
If you need to reach customer service, try early or late in the day. I can't say enough good things about the level of service I received.
