How do you backup???

Derrel · Sep 23, 2011

Q: "Are the Buffalo units pretty easy for a moron to connect/access? Does the server (PC) have to remain on for networked computers to access the NAS?"

A: Yes, they are easy for a novice to set up, to create shared folders, to create users and set up user password passwords,etc. Buffalo does not require much computer skill or network admin capabilities--basically almost none...with the TeraStation RAID-capable model I have, which is a dual interface model, you can open a web browser--anywhere in the world-- and connect to the NAS drive without the PC or Mac being ON--only the NAS drive needs to be on, and plugged into an internet-connected router. So, you can shut down your PC, but just leave the NAS on and hooked up to the interweb router!

The lower-cost, USB model I just got was only $99, but it's MUCH,much slower at file transfers, since it is only a single-drive, USB-connect and ethernet-connect device. The hard drive inside is pokey, and also, the thing seems slow on multiple stream file transfers...if it is asked to transfer TWO streams at once, it's slow as a day is long; the RAID-speed TeraStation when hooked up with the Firwwire 800 interface, hauls a&&, even with multiple batches of files being transfered at one time.

Again... most of the other NAS drive makers restrict what kinds of files can be played over a remote connection. Non-authorized mp3 files....not gonna be playable...non-licensed users, out of luck.

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dakkon76 · Sep 23, 2011

to the OP: My guess would be that you're using a USB 1.0 connection which is extremely slow. Be sure you figure this out before you just go buy another drive or update your software... or your stuck with the same problem. You can have a USB 3.0 external drive, but it won't go any faster if you plug it into the same 1st gen USB port on your tower. A lot of times, depending on how new your system is, it may have USB 1.0 on the front for peripherals (mouse/keyboard) and the faster 2.0 ports are in the back. At any rate, this shouldn't be taking more than a couple of hours max. I'm not sure how your particular backup software works, but even on a 1.0 connection this seems to be way too slow. My suggestions if you want to attempt to troubleshoot yourself would be to attempt to backup a single large file, time it, and then copy the same file and paste it to the external drive. These should take about the same amount of time - if not, then your software is the bottleneck.