Seagate FreeAgent DockStar Network Adapter STDSA10G-RK (White)
From Seagate
The FreeAgent DockStar network adapter allows you to share your digital life with anyone, anywhere. Centralize your files to a single location and access them with any networked computer in your home. Create a shared space for your friends to download content you designate and to upload their own content.The FreeAgent DockStar network adapter is a compact dock which allows FreeAgent Go portable drives and most USB storage devices to be shared on your local network or accessed remotely via the internet, after service activation. The FreeAgent Go drive simply slides into the FreeAgent DockStar network adapter, making it easy to remove when you want to take the drive with you while on-the-go. All other USB storage devices plug into one of the two rear-mounted or one side-mounted USB ports. The FreeAgent DockStar network adapter simultaneously supports up to four storage devices, so you will never have to worry about running out of storage space. Simply plug in two cables (Ethernet and power) and visit the web activation page to activate and automatically configure the network adapter. Once activated, you can access all your files with a clean, web-based interface. The same interface is used to view files from any networked computer in your home and outside of the home when accessing files remotely. The user interface displays all the files on all of the drives you have connected to the FreeAgent DockStar network adapter, along with all of the files shared with you by other FreeAgent DockStar network adapter owners.You can easily navigate the user interface with thumbnail or list views, search by file name or filter by media type. The FreeAgent DockStar network adapter also appears like a local drive on your computer, so that you can easily navigate and drag-and-drop files just like a folder on your desktop.
- Color: White
- Brand: Seagate
- Model: STDSA10G-RK
- Dimensions: 3.39" h x 1.50" w x 3.35" l, 1.11 pounds
The FreeAgent DockStar network adapter allows you to share your digital life with anyone, anywhere. Dock a FreeAgent Go drive or connect a USB storage device to the FreeAgent DockStar network adapter and your content will be accessible by any networked computer in your home. Following service activation, access content on your FreeAgent DockStar network adapter remotely through a clean web-based interface and invite friends to view your files or upload theirs. Simply type in their email addresses and they will receive an email linked to the folders you chose to share with them through your FreeAgent DockStar network adapter. Integrate with your favorite social media sites and keep your friends in the loop with easy-to-publish RSS feeds.
 | |||||||
 |  | ||||||
 | Highlights
| ||||||
 |
| ||||||
Took the Plunge, regretted it, sending my DockStar back
We bought this device because we had some USB drives we wanted to share on our home network (but had no interest in being able to access these drive outside or home).
The DockStar setup was easy enough, and in minutes we were accessing our drives. But when we started considering the ramifications of depending on the PogoPlug software for drive access, we were concerned, so we consulted Seagate's tech support website.
#1. There is nothing about the DockStar on their support website, beyond a couple of well-hidden FAQs (I only found them through a helpful user on the community forum).
[...]
#2. You CAN access the device even if your internet connection (to the world) is fubarred. You have to use the 'web interface' (rather than the pogoplug software) to do this ( this is stated in one of the FAQs). Unfortunately, I can't find any instructions on how to actually access the web interface. Downside: you lose drive letter access to the connected USB drives (see my next point).
#3. Pogoplug software is free for the 1st year. After that it's $[...] a year. If you don't subscribe, you can't access the attached USB drives as drive letters -- only the web interface is available (and don't forget - the instructions for doing this have proved elusive, for me at least). That means you can't use the device for anything requires a drive letter/directory setting (e.g. iTunes).
#4. When the pogoplug software is working, performance is flaky depending on what you're doing with the files on the drive. For example, previewing photos or working with documents, on the pogoplug drives seems to work OK. But when I tried viewing video (even small files of a couple minutes of video), the player ground to a halt (I'm assuming because the file was being sent from Dockstar to pogoplug and back to my machine - quite the lengthy round trip).
We are sending our device back, and this has left a bad enough taste in my mouth, that I'll probably never buy another Seagate product again.
Simplicity at it's finest
I travel often and wanted a device that would allow me access to my files (download and streaming) when I was gone. I tried Orb and Log-Me-In but they required my home computer to be on 24/7, and also a few NAS units. Each had drawbacks though and I was ready to give up until I stumbled on this jewel.
First off, I knew about the $30/yr (first year free) prior to purchase so that is a non-issue. I bought a Seagate product, not a Pogoplug product so I am fairly confident about future support and availability. This product is so unique that if Pogoplug can't make it in the long run Seagate will simply buy them and be done with it.
Now, onto the product itself. In a word, unbelievable (and I am not easily impressed). Setup truly is a no brainer. Plug it into your router and plug your drives into it. Done. No software to install. Log into Seagates website, register it and you are good to go. The web interface is OK and usable but I would only use it in a pinch, perhaps at a Starbucks or library if I needed something. The true genius of this is the tiny program you download (optional) to create drive icons on your computer. I'm using Windows 7 and have had no issues. The unit can handle up to 4 USB drives simultaneously and you have the choice to combine all of them into one "Pogoplug" drive icon or a separate drive icon for each one. They look and work exactly as if they were physically attached to the computer you are working on, no matter where you are.
For example, I backup my DVD's as ISO files and store them on my local (California) hard drive. From a Texas I can get on my laptop, click the "Pogoplug" drive icon and my USB drive in CA will wake up and show me all my files. I then double click on the Pogoplug drive and select a movie. I then right click on the movie (yes, right click works just like you would expect!) and mount the file (using Virtual CloneDrive) to make it appear as a genuine DVD on my laptop. I fire up Windows Media Player and the movie streams straight to me, couldn't be easier. If I need a file or document I just drag and drop it. Truly, it works just like you were sitting next to it, no learning curve involved.
The fact that it can hold 4 drives simultaneously makes it infinitely expandable. I would have given it 5 stars but knocked one off because of the yearly fee. At $100/ea they are making enough money on the unit itself and in an era of tons of ways to access your media remotely for free it seems like kind a slap in the face. That said, I will gladly pay it as this is positively the easiest and most natural way to access your files over the web that I've found.
Full value is derived from adopting several of Seagate's proprietary goods and services.
For those who travel often (or have family members that do) and have easy access to wide bandwidth, this is a a great product to consider. The uses for it are unlimited from both a personal and professional perspective. I am not qualified to comment on the security offered by Seagate for this device and their service and thus can not make any recommendations. For those sharing sensitive/proprietary information, I would strongly encourage you to do your own homework and satisfy yourself that the privacy and security offered equals or exceeds your own needs.
Installation is simple. The device offers 3 USB ports (these charging ports that will recharge your device while it is plugged in) and a proprietary port designed specifically for the Seagate Freeagent Go. It is not necessary to own the Freeagent but those buying this device will no doubt want to consider it for the future in order to get the most out of this device. A one year subscription comes with the device. Future fees could influence future decisions to keep using this device or search for other alternatives. The device allows for easy streaming of music files and the easy sharing of documents and pictures. Videos do not stream but can be downloaded.
