Storage and services for every computer in the home
Netgear’s Readynas Duo connects to a home network and can be used by any number of computers in the home simultaneously to share photos and music, back up your files, and more.
Netgear’s Readynas Duo is a Nas (network-attached storage) or network hard disk device. It supports two separate hard disks, and can be bought with one or two installed, or you can buy it ‘bare’ and add your own. When using two disks, whatever files are copied to the Readynas are automatically copied to both disks so that, in the event of either disk failing, the data remains safe.
A second disk can even be added to the Readynas Duo while it’s running – the device spots the extra disk and copies the existing data across (technically known as mirroring).
Sadly, setting up the Readynas wasn’t quite as straightforward. All settings are made through a web browser and, while there was a wizard to help with the simple stuff, some of the more advanced features presented lots of confusing options. We’ estimate we spent an hour or two for setup – a long time for such a product.
Time spent in the interface can be rewarding though, as the Readynas Duo has a host of extras you wouldn’t find on a standard external disk, such as an iTunes server, for example: copy your music to the Readynas and it can be streamed around the house, even to a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360.
The Readynas Duo also allows file access over the internet. Install the included Readynas Remote software on any PC (Windows XP and Vista, with Windows 7 support promised by the time it comes out) and Mac and you can access your content anywhere.
Other useful features include a photo-sharing service, automatic backup, and the ability to share a standard USB printer across the network. The Readynas can also be configured to switch itself on and off at set times.
Netgear’s Readynas Duo isn’t a simple device to set up, nor is it as cheap as a normal external hard disk, but it’s great value considering it provides expandable and dependable storage plus a host of extras for every computer in your home.
