NetDisk 351UNE 3.5-Inch USB/eSATA/Ethernet Enclosure For USB or Network Storage
From IOCELL Networks, Inc.
3.5" USB/eSATA/Ethernet Enclosure For USB or Network Storage
Brand: NetDisk Model: 351UNE Dimensions: 6.00" h x 1.25" w x 8.50" l, 1.00 pounds
IOCELL NetDISK is the world's first user-friendly, external USB 2.0/eSATA/Ethernet combo hard drive enclosure using the revolutionary Gigabit NDAS technology. The NDAS technology allows a direct connection to a network without the need for IP configuration or expensive servers. Not only can NetDisk be used as a stand-alone storage device for one PC at a time when connected via the USB or eSATA interface, but using the Ethernet interface it can be used as a central storage device, back up or shared storage on your network with transfer rates up to 3x faster than competitive products. Yes!!! This unit can be used for an individual storage and back up device for a single PC, or use it as a central storage, backup and sharing for all the systems on your network. Hardware Features 351 â– 3.5" SATA, 1 Bay - Serial ATA Interface (SATA-1 or SATA-2) - No capacity limit - Multiple partitions - Any partition type U â– USB - Plug & Play, any file format, hot-swappable - Portable data storage with high-speed USB 2.0 N â– Network - Direct connection to your local network - Gigabit RJ-45 interface - Multiple computer access with NDAS connection software - Hardware digital key for primary read write control - File level access permissions with proper partition types
middling performance, with some gotcha's I just tested a new 351UNE, and was somewhat disappointed by it. It won't work through a network hub (according to the manual), and it seems to be picky about switches. When it and my PC were plugged into a Netgear GS608 gigabit switch, the NetDISK software couldn't see the 351UNE. When they were both plugged into my WiFi router (Linksys WRT54G2, which has a 10/100 Mbit switch), it worked ... but I got 8 MByte/sec, measured by HDSpeed on a fast Win XP PC). Of course, with the Linksys I wasn't testing the NetDISK as its full potential network speed. I connected it via USB 2.0, and got about 32 MByte/sec. I couldn't test eSATA speed, but it has an eSATA port on the back. Timings at the NetDISK website suggest the network is twice as fast as USB 2.0. [...] says: eSATA Interface Data transfer up to 3.0 Gbits/sec, USB 2.0 Interface Data transfer up to 480 Mbits/sec, Gigabit Ethernet Interface Data transfer up to 1000 Mbits/sec.) The software was easy to install, although it annoyingly took over the entire desktop (except the Windows task bar). It leaves an icon in the task bar to allow you to mount/dismount the drive. The unit lacks a fan. Some reviews of the two-bay model suggest this could be a problem. Installation of the hard drive requires removing two screws to open the case, and two more screws to get the mount bracket off the plastic box. Then, the hard drive is attached to the metal mount bracket with 4 screws, the bracket to the plastic box with 2 screws, and the box is closed with 2 screws. A lot of screwing around :) (Contrast with the Promise NS2300N, which uses 2 screws per disk drive, with easy to remove handles ... and which costs four times as much, but supports many more protocols (including NFS).) NetDisk 351UNE I am using the 351UNE for a few weeks now. I leave the 351UNE on 24/7 and it consumes very little power. I checked it with a power meter and it uses less than 20W. The following are my quick note and review: * I installed a 1TB Samsung 5400RPM Hard drive in the 351UNE. I expect the 5400RPM Hard drive to run cooler and last longer and its price is very reasonable. * My 351UNE connected directly into a 8-ports Gb D-Link switch, I do have an old router as part of my network also connected into the Gb D-Link switch. When installing the 351UNE, I do not have to go into the router to change any setting. * I have 4 PCs on my network; three with Vista 64 and one with Vista 32. Two of my PCs connect to a separate Gb switch and the two switches are connected together. * When I first install the 351UNE using the driver came in the box, it did not work well. Only one of the 4 PCs can have Read/Write access to the 351UNE at a time; the other three can only have Read access. But after downloaded and installed the new driver [...], all four of my PCs can now have Read/Write access. Now all 4 PCs see the 351UNE as its own internal logical drive. For my small network, this is what I wanted. * I might spend more time to test the system in the future, but for now at first glance the data transfer in and out of the 351UNE used up to about 30% of the Gb network band width which is ok for me. My 351UNE has worked well 24/7 in the last few weeks. It satisfies my need and I am happy with it. If it fails, you will certainly see my update! NDAS Rocks! It's very true that PC's (including MAC's) have given us all for than our fair share of trouble - look at the size of the IT industry for proof of that. But NDAS is one technology that really shines. As I've read other reviews, I can only say that I've never had any of the problems that have been mentioned. Sorry, but the fact is that most computer problems are user problems. So if I've I've "cheated" somehow to have such good performance, here's how it works. 1. Regardless of the computer nowadays (PC, Mac, or mainframe), all devices connect via driver software. If the operating system already has a copy of the driver, you don't need to supply your own copy. NDAS drivers are not included in any O/S, so you must expect to have to install drivers on each computer using NDAS. 2. Early NDAS drivers did not allow either PC's or Macs to have multiple write access. Newer Windows drivers support multiple PC's all mounting with read/write access. Mac drivers don't support this feature, but Macs can run Windows drivers under Windows. 3. I haven't seen an Ethernet hub at Fry's in years. Switches are faster and cheaper than hubs ever were. So forget using a hub, get a switch instead. NOTE: "hub" is a networking device, not to be confused with things like "media hubs". Similar name, different animal. 4. Visit Ximeta's web site every couple of months, checking for new drivers. 5. I've got old network stuff. Two 8 port Linksys (EZXS88W) switches for wired Ethernet, one WRT54GS wireless router, five networked printers, eight to ten PC's running XP, Vista, and 7, and 7 NDAS drives. Six of the NDAS drives have been in 24/7 operation for the last three years. The seventh is a newer IOCELL enclosure for a spare SATA drive that was kicking around. It's now been up for three months. Total NDAS capacity is 6TB. 6. Zero hardware failures in three years, and maybe a dozen software glitches - ALWAYS RESOLVED WITH ONE REBOOT. 7. NDAS throughput is indistinguishable from all other network activity. It's never occurred to me to benchmark it, because it's so "normal". I stream audio and video from the disk farm, plus 3D solid modeling, video editing, even Quicken (which isn't supported on a conventional network drive). Seldom does the phrase "your mileage may vary" mean so much, but if I'm getting the mileage, you can too.
