Desktop Computer Review: LaCie 301338U 500 GB D2 Ethernet Network Attached Storage Review

I bought this NAS to use with an Xbox hacked to run Xbox Media Center.I have an all mac household so buying a Lacie drive just made sense.I also have 2 separate Lacie d2 external hard drives.While this drive is fine as a simple NAS, it is billed as so much more.And when taking that into account, it is hard to give this a great review.

Evaluating this only as a NAS it is decent, probably 4 stars.The read speed is fine accessing HD video on my xbox over a 802.11G network works fine.Write speeds are not as great.Transferring a 300MB files takes about a minute.

So while it might not seem that bad, the "features" are where this really starts to fall apart.First, all of the setup must be done using a web browser.Lacie provides a taskbar program, but it does nothing except provide the link to the browser admin page.The bittorrent client is WORTHLESS.The only stats that it provides, or status, is the percentage complete.No speed, seeds, peers, NOTHING.Not to mention that to actually use the BT client you have to login to the NAS through a browser, then click on media, then click on bittorrent, then upload a .torrent to it.Why couldn't it just watch a folder named "Torrents" and download anything that enters?

Also, the remote power feature is complete BS.It is billed as being able to turn itself on when a network devices is requesting it.And it does, as long as you are referring to using the taskbar app and clicking on Wake Up Device.Same goes for it turning off, you have to use the web interface and pass through 4 menus to click "shutdown"It is basically just a digital power switch.Thats all.

I sound like I hate this, and I really dont.I just was not happy paying for features that do not exist.I was able to get a partial refund and keep it.But you might want to look elsewhere if those features are important to you.

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Product Description:
The LaCie d2 Network offers professional, reliable, central storage for instantly storing, sharing, and backing up from any computer on your network. Manage your home or small office network easily with this full-featured file server, recommended for networks with up to 50 users (15 at once). With the LaCie d2 Network, you can share files among Windows, Mac, and Linux users thanks to its SMB and AFP protocols support, or connect remotely through FTP, HTTP, and HTTPS file systems. Get extra security and increase data portability by backing up your LaCie d2 Network on your own scheduleto an external hard drive through its USB and eSATA ports using the built-in backup system. The LaCie d2 Network comes also with Genie Backup Manager Pro for Windows and Intego Backup Manager Pro for Mac to install on each PC/Mac for client backups to the NAS. This software lets you reliably and efficiently back up your documents, emails, settings, or other digital assets. With the LaCie d2 Network, it-s easy to download big files using its integrated torrent server, without even needing your computer to be turned on. You can also play your media files stored in your d2 Network directly on any UPnP AV-compatible device or via a Digital Media Adapter (DMA), such as a PS3 or Xbox. In fact, the d2 Network has been developed to be compatible with any DLNA multimedia device, and also works with iTunes. Controlling access is simple; you can assign various security levels to shares, groups, users profiles, and public access. With Windows ADS domain support, there-s no need to recreate existing user and group accounts of your Windows domain, making it easy to manage for IT Administrators. Thanks to the Wake-on-LAN feature, the LaCie d2 Network can be switched back to operating mode from the client side. Box Contents: LaCie d2 Network, Ethernet cable, External power supply, Drive stand for upright use, CD-ROM with User Manual and Utilities, Quick Install Guide.

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