Netgear Stora MS200 NAS Server - Unboxing

[TheAlphabetBunyip]

I recently purchased a Stora MS2000 and I would not recommend it. The product needs improvements and accessing your network shares from OS X (Finder) and Windows OS (Windows Explorer) is frustrating. I have tried updating the Stora's firmware and have installed the latest (v2.5) Stora Desktop Applications for OS X and Windows and there were no performance improvements or enhancements to the Stora's tokenistic interface (accessed via web browser).

[petekana770]

you talk toooo must

[MyRandomReviews]

@petekana770 - Personal preference but I don't really talk as much any more. This was a year ago now. :)

[cyberzita]

Hi, nice video.

One question please: does it support a smb connection with mac os x ?

I don't want access it via browser interface..

thanks 4 your answer!

[MyRandomReviews]

@cyberzita - It shows up as just a normal computer on your network. I'm not sure exactly what protocol it uses but you certainly don't have to use the web interface for everything!

Just wondering whether you're after a feature-rich NAS device or a NAS device that just hosts your files on LAN? (Not internet)

[svtcontour]

So has this been good so far? No freezing? I've been using the Dlink 2 drive NAS for clients until now which have been ok but occasionally locked up for them.

For myself, I almost purchased a couple of these but last minute, I changed my plans and went with a pair of Mediasonic 4 bay E-sata chassis. They are not intelligent and would need to be attached to something so I've got it attached to a home server E-sata controller. Downside is electricity and heat but speed is nice.

[MyRandomReviews]

@svtcontour - Yes it has been very reliable for the most part. The only problem I've had is one of the hard drives RAID configuration corrupting; this was quickly sorted out - automatically by the Stora itself. This problem stems from the power timer - which is quite useful - but it causes more problems than it's worth, as the Stora uses hardly any power on auto-standby.

The biggest problem with this drive though is the cloud management - you have to pay for services such as remote connections!

[svtcontour]

@MyRandomReviews Ok I'll be keeping these things in mind. Thanks for the feedback on the NAS. Kind of stupid for netgear to try charge for the remote management. Its going to bite them in the rear. Most people will not be happy when they find this out especially the nerds (ie me) :)

[nordemoniac]

@MyRandomReviews Can you install any custom FW to get around these problems?

[MyRandomReviews]

@nordemoniac - It is possible although unsupported. There's quite a few people doing it but I can't remember the website they often use. Go to the Netgear Stora Forums and have a look there. Plenty of them use a custom firmware.

[PingmanGTFOUR]

Any idea if the DLNA works with a PS3 or Samsung LED TV?

[MyRandomReviews]

@PingmanGTFOUR - It certainly should do. DLNA should always work with other DLNA certified devices. That's what DLNA means! :P

Just make your you share the folders first!

[skytalker22]

cool vid...it's been a couple of weeks...what do you think ? should I buy one ? does it require any software to allow access to the drives ?

[MyRandomReviews]

@skytalker22 - Hey, I'm sorry I've not put a review up yet. I've been sidetracked with the Galaxy S and iPhone 4. :P

I think it's a great drive, but if your planning on using it with DLNA or UPnP, you can do better with slightly more expensive enclosures from Synology or even the ReadyNAS Duo. It is however perfect if you aren't so confident with technology, (I am, but networking properly needs a PHD lol) and if you just want file storage and backup storage, this is a great great device.

[MyRandomReviews]

@skytalker22 - And no, intially you can install some software to find the device on your network (which is not needed), but then you can just map as a network drive and it works great, just like a normal hard-drive. (Read-Write speed is slower, but it still hits 12 MB/S over 100 mbit ethernet, and probably faster on gigabit ethernet.) Which is very acceptable.