What's the Best Networked Storage Device Under $250?
A reader writes: I want an easy way to back up my computer's data -- but I would also like to be able to access it securely when I'm on the road. I've heard a lot of talk about cloud computing, but I'm wary of moving my files to a third-party machine. I'd prefer something I can hook into my home network and know will always be there. Just tell me what to get!
There are literally hundreds of backup and storage options out there. Many cater to the tech elite, but a growing number are being built for less experienced users. Among the best of the latter type is Netgear's Stora. With substantial storage space, multiple backup options, and secure file sharing, this home media server lets you protect important files, as well as share pictures and movies with friends and family.
The Stora, which works with both Macs and PCs, comes equipped with a 1-terabyte hard drive, which is more than enough to back up most home PCs. It also comes with a slot for another 1 TB drive, which will allow you to mirror your backup -- essentially giving you two layers of protection in case there's some truly catastrophic failure.
Backing up data is easy with the Stora: Just configure it to be the destination for your PC's Windows backup or for your OS X's Time Machine. The data you put there won't be sharable, but the security benefits are worth it.
Manual backups are also an option, allowing you to select the specific files you want to protect through the Stora's own desktop mirror application. These backups can be done at regular intervals -- from every 5 minutes to every 24 hours, at a specific time of day or just occasionally.
To publicly share data, all you need to do is click and drag pictures, movies, and music into a folder on the device. Friends and family (and you) will be able to access those files via a secure log-in at Netgear's www.mystora.com site. (You'll assign user names and passwords to people you want to be able to see your files.)
There are a couple of downsides worth mentioning: The Stora uses an Internet-based interface -- and doesn't support wireless
connections. Also, if you've got a large number of people to whom you want to give access, or if you want to view the data over your Web-enabled phone, you'll have to spring for the Stora Premium subscription, which carries a $20 annual charge.
And if you choose the manual backup option, and have data scattered around your PC (rather than all kept neatly in your "My Documents" folder), you'll have to specifically tell the system which folders to back up. Clickfree's portable backup drives or Cisco's similarly priced FreeAgent Go models, by comparison, automatically grab the file types you specify.
For less than $250, the Stora is both security blanket and social platform. Your data is regularly backed up and always physically within your reach. Plus, you're able to easily share what you'd like with friends and family. And it all comes with an interface that's intuitive and powerful.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Unhappy said 8:47AM on 1-19-2010
I don't think this review fully reflects this device and its true lack of capability and downsides.
Would suggest that anyone considering buying this device checkout the many, many posts from unhappy and perhaps the odd happy user on Netgear's forums;
http://forum1.netgear.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106
Ensure you 100% understand what this thing can and cannot do first!!!
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