BUFFALOLinkStation 210 6TB 1-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage with HDD Hard Drives Included NAS Storage That Works as Home Cloud or Network Storage Device for Home

(2 X 2Tb) If I had depended on the reviews, I probably would not have bought this. A friend had one and recommended it. I am using it for backup on my home network, which consists of PCs and Chromebooks.Some people gripe about the speed, which really doesn't matter to me because it backs up at night while I am sleeping.Having very little experience with networking, it took me a couple hours of fiddling with it (and my PCs) to get everything set up the way I wanted. This included setting up Paragon Backup software (free version). Just to experiment, I did set up a share folder with some videos and they play well over the network. The documentation is not very good, but you can find a YouTube video if you need help. It has only been installed for a few days, but so far I am very pleased.

The BUFFALO LinkStation 710 8TB 1-Bay NAS Network Attached Storage is a reliable and efficient solution for individuals and small businesses seeking centralized storage and easy access to their digital content. As someone who values simplicity, reliability, and versatility in data management solutions, I find this NAS to be an excellent choice for streamlining storage and enhancing productivity.First and foremost, the storage capacity of the LinkStation 710 is impressive, offering 8TB of storage space for housing large volumes of files, documents, media, and more. Whether used for personal use or small business applications, this NAS provides ample room for storing and organizing digital content, making it easy to access and share files across multiple devices and platforms.Additionally, the performance of the LinkStation 710 is commendable, thanks to its powerful hardware and efficient software management. The dual-core processor ensures smooth and responsive operation, while the built-in DDR3 memory enhances data transfer speeds and multitasking capabilities. Whether streaming multimedia content, backing up files, or accessing data remotely, this NAS delivers consistent performance with minimal latency.One of the standout features of the LinkStation 710 is its user-friendly interface and intuitive setup process. The web-based administration interface allows for easy configuration and management of the NAS, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. With features like automatic data backup, RAID support, and remote access via mobile apps, BUFFALO has designed a NAS that meets the needs of both novice and experienced users alike.Furthermore, I appreciate the versatility and connectivity options offered by the LinkStation 710. With multiple USB ports and a built-in Gigabit Ethernet port, users can easily expand storage capacity, connect peripherals, and share data with other devices on the network. The ability to integrate with cloud storage services further enhances flexibility and accessibility, allowing users to seamlessly sync and backup data across multiple platforms.In terms of reliability, the LinkStation 710 excels with its robust build quality and data protection features. The durable chassis and fan-less design ensure quiet operation and long-term reliability, while features like RAID support and automatic backup provide peace of mind against data loss. With BUFFALO's reputation for quality and durability, users can trust the LinkStation 710 to safeguard their valuable digital assets.Overall, I am highly satisfied with the BUFFALO LinkStation 710 8TB NAS Network Attached Storage. Its ample storage capacity, performance, user-friendly interface, versatility, and reliability make it an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses seeking a streamlined and efficient solution for data management.Pros:Ample 8TB storage capacity for housing large volumes of digital contentPowerful hardware and efficient software management for consistent performanceUser-friendly interface and intuitive setup process for easy configuration and managementVersatile connectivity options including USB ports and Gigabit EthernetRobust build quality and data protection features for long-term reliabilityCons:May require some initial setup and configuration for optimal performanceHigher price point compared to basic external hard drives, but worth the investment for the featuresand capabilities offered

Considering the reviews, most NAS drives for home usage are slow and not very reliable. I went between an WD MyCloud and the Buffalo. The latter is now deployed in my home, but only for a day. It's connected to a satellite of the Netgear Orbi 750 (5400 Mbps Wifi 6) and base speed should be sufficient.Anyway, setup comes first and the drive basically connects to an ethernet port somewhere in your network. Although the Buffalo LinkStation 710 sports a 2.5 Gbps ethernet port, the mentioned satellite is limited to a 1 Gbps port. However, that's unlikely to be a problem.Setup has a printed quick start guide, and most of the time it's fairly clear what to do next. The software link references a Japanese server (in English). This is where to download the two relevant apps (NAS Navigator for setup and firmware updater). The firmware updater is over the network and, for some inexplicable reason, took 30 minutes for the update that ended up failing. A second attempt finished successfully in about a minute.The NAS Navigator software is used to set up a new drive (i.e., to find it), and after that is reduced to mainly being a hyperlink to the web interface of the drive itself. Most information relies on this rather than the software installed on the desktop. Once installed, some options are cryptic at first and user guidance is minimal. You can get it done, however, with a little "guessing".You can create protected folders that only selected users can access. First i was curious how fast the drive would perform as that's both a network issue and the included server/drive. The S.M.A.R.T. info for the drive reveals that it's a Seagate ST4000VX005, which is a 7200 rpm SATA drive. Seagate rates the maximum transfer speed at 180 MB/s. That's not SSD territory, but pretty good for an HDD.Now, there are multiple factors influencing the effective speed and my tests were neither comprehensive nor may they be representative. That said, from my Windows 11 desktop I could achieve a decent 80 MB/s maximum with a fairly consistent data rate. I used a 1 GB file, and that's more efficient than small files. Not directly comparable are my Mac Mini M1 results where I used BlackMagic's SpeedDisk benchmark. As it employs multiple file sizes, it's more realistic, but that's likely not the only excuse for the rather disappointing 30 MB/s maximum for read and write.Overall, the performance is in line with other reports and time has been too short to judge reliability. Once set up, it's easy to use. The supplied software tools, however, are rather minimalistic. The web interface from the drive directly, however, is good.Last, but. It least, the fan is fairly noticeable. In a quiet room, it can be easily heard from more than 2 m.