Freecom Network Drive XS1TB – Quick & Easy
In the market for a small network
attached drive? Check this out
To me, the setting up of a network attached
storage drive should be quick and easy, with the drive itself being of a decent
capacity, discreet, quiet and small enough to fit into the allocated tight
space next to the router. Okay, not everyone has such requirements, but finding
a network attached drive that ticks all the boxes has been something of a
chore.
Freecom
Network Drive XS1TB
Enter the Freecom Network Drive XS, a
hardy-looking unit that combines some very good features into a compact case
that's only just bigger than a 3.5" hard drive.
Freecom has, over the years, gone from
strength to strength. Its external product range has always been of a good
quality, and although it has often forsaken cutting-edge technology in favour
of lower-costing parts, it's always managed to provide a stable and trustworthy
selection for the budget desktop user. The Network Drive XS is no exception,
and while it has its quirks, it's a solid unit. Nevertheless, at a price of
roughly £85, it could turn customers away.
Bundled within the box you'll find the
drive itself, an external power pack (with UK and European plugs), a 1m
Ethernet cable, 1 m USB cable, accompanying CD, quick start guide and an offer
for 35 songs free with registration to eMusic.
Looking at the drive is uninspiring; it's a
rubberised hard drive case after all. It certainly won't win any beauty
pageants, but in all fairness a network attached drive isn't supposed to be
'pretty'. The rubber suit that covers the drive enclosure does an admirable job
of reducing vibration and noise, although being a fanless enclosure, the noise
is dramatically reduced already. Also, it provides an excellent grip should the
drive be moved about, and it provides some impact protection. However, it's
also an incredible dirt and dust magnet, and within a few days the rubber will
be covered in dust particles, cat hair and dead flies. That aside, the ports
are easily accessible and the unit is small enough to fit snugly into most
situations.
Setting the drive up couldn't be easier.
You have two choices with this drive: use it as a desktop external USB drive or
hook it up to your home network and install the Freecom Network Storage Assistant
from the CD. The FNS Assistant will provide the most basic of interfaces when
installed by listing the available devices on your network. All you need to do
is click on the link for the web interface, and your default browser will open
up with the relevant IP address.
From within the web admin you can set a
manual IP address, change the admin password, add users along with their read/
write access, set up the FTP server, BitTorrent downloads and media server
functions. Once you've done what you need to do, just access the drive as you
would any other shared hard drive and add your files. Simple.
With
this network hard drive you have one central storage location for all your
files
There are a few niggles that I need to
mention. For starters, there's no indication light on the drive, so you'll have
to press your ear against it to hear if it's working. Surely a simple LED could
be included? Secondly, the media server function is a little weak and it took a
reboot of the unit before a movie that was transferred into 'Videos' finally
appeared. Thirdly, the power cable is ridiculously short; a metre is barely
enough to accommodate fitting the unit into a lounge cabinet, for instance.
Niggles aside, the Freecom Network Drive XS
is a good unit. Small, easy to set up and quiet but a tad expensive for what
you get.
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Details
Price: $134.99
Manufacturer: Freecom
Tel no: 01784 439 781
Website: goo.gl/HeFGG
Required spec: 900MHz processor or
higher, 256MB RAM+, LAN (RJ45) or USB 2.0 port CD-ROM drive, Windows XP or
later
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