A network attached storage device with a rich set of features
NetGear isn’t alone in the compact server market, and Buffalo also offers a similar range of compact network attached storage (NAS) devices. The Buffalo TeraStation III TS-XL is perhaps closest to the recently reviewed NetGear ReadyNAS NVX. It’s a little larger than NetGear’s device, but offers the same four-bay set-up for 3.5in Sata drives. We reviewed the 2TB model with four 500GB drives, but capacities currently go up to 8TB.
As with the NetGear ReadyNAS NVX, getting a pre-populated Buffalo TeraStation III TS-XL up and running is simply a matter of connecting the mains lead and one or two Ethernet cables. The device is much quieter than the ReadyNAS when running - no doubt the larger case allows better air circulation so the rear fan doesn’t need to spin quite so quickly. That said, one of the drive bay covers on our model did rattle each time the NAS was powered up and made an awful noise, but a small nudge soon put a stop to it.
The supplied NASNavigator2 application can be used to identify the Buffalo TeraStation III TS-XL on a network using Windows or a Mac before opening the browser-based admin panel, but this can be bypassed by noting the assigned IP address from the device’s front LED panel.
The admin panel isn’t particularly user friendly and some settings are squirreled away in less-than-obvious places. It also relies on the administrator having a good understanding of server and network terminology. This may not be the case in a small office/home office environment, and we much preferred the NetGear ReadyNAS NVX’s approach of explaining the NAS key settings within the interface.
Raid modes 0, 1, 5 and 10 are supported if all installed drives are deployed as part of the array, but if Raid mode 1 (with two disks) or Raid mode 5 (with three disks) is used, there’s the option to keep another drive as a ’hot spare’ that will be automatically deployed should one disk fail.
