It used to be that the Network Attached Storage systems were reserved for the larger and more complex enterprise style networks. Now, setting up and using a NAS is almost as easy as setting up your home network's router. The need for a storage solution that is available to everyone on a home network has been tackled by many companies. Microsoft is even taking the concept a step further and has developed a special server operating system called Home Server. While the Home Server OS and machines that were supposed to ship with it are (as of the time of this article) delayed, NAS devices can be purchased and integrated into your existing network with little or no networking know-how. Granted, the more you know, the easier it will be. But if you already have a router, chances are your NAS can be set up and running very quickly.

     Companies like Synology are producing Network Attached Storage devices that make it easy to maximize the potential of your existing home network.  What makes Synology so special is they have made NAS devices their companies focus. They offer more than ten different styles and models with announcements for even more in the near future. It's a good bet that you'll be able to find something that will suite your needs from their product lineup.

     What we are going to look at over the next few pages is from their Small Business/Corporate lineup. It's called the Disk Station DS207 and DS207+. Don't let the fancy Small Business and Corporate moniker intimidate you into thinking it's too much. By the time we reach our conclusion, you'll see just how easy NAS can be and how much it can benefit your storage strategy.

     So, why use a NAS in the first place? The obvious answer is data accessibility.  As the name suggests, you'll be able to access your data from your network. But there is more to a NAS than just data storage. If you're considering a mass data solution like a NAS, chances are you've put some effort into the file collection you have. So it's important to choose a device that can offer some form of full-time data protection.  These units can provide RAID-1 mirror services which will keep all of your files safe in the event of a single hard drive crash. But wait, there's more........a LOT more.

DS207

DS207+

     If you click on the thumbnails above you'll see the specification sheets to the DS-207 and DS-207+.  Obviously, being in the same family group, they are going similar in a lot of ways. But there are some very distinct differences. First, the DS207 is powered by a 266MHz  processor with 64MB of RAM, while the DS207+ has been beefed up with a 500Mhz processor and 128MB of RAM. The DS207+ has an eSATA external port for using external hard drives. The DS207 will use 54Watts of on the initial spin-up, 36Watts during data Access) and 34Watts while Idle.  The DS207+ is more power efficient using the same 52. Watts at spin-up, only 32.76Watts at data-Access and offering the biggest saving at 28.32Watts while Idle.