Dlink DNS-323 Network Storage

If you are looking for a nice and easy network storage unit for your home or small office I would highly recommend the Dlink DNS 323 unit. I was very impressed with this unit, and how quickly the installation went from parts to full network storage.

There was several things that I was looking for in terms of network storage, and this unit meet those requirements and more. First I was wanting something that accommodated RAID 1 (mirroring of drives) For network storage I must have a RAID 1 so that way if a drive fails (and it will, just depends on timing) then I the mirror can be rebuilt by putting a new drive in the bay.

My second requirement is that the unit uses SATA hard drives that I can purchase at any computer store. There is nothing worse in my opinion than having to go back to the manufacture to find a replacement drive. This also allows for upgrading to larger drive in the future. The unit needs to have a future of more than 6 months for a storage unit.

The next item that I look for is that the unit has a nice working web interface. Too often one gets into the web interfaces only to find that the instructions are not very clear. Nothing worse than trying to figure something out the first time through and wondering if all the settings are just so. I don't like trusting my data without knowing for sure that I have confidence in the storage unit.

One of my final requirements is that the unit is connected via a network cable. Too often, the NAS units out there needs to be connected to a PC of some sort usually through a USB cable to gain access to the network. I like a unit that I can place anywhere on the network. By connection through a standard RJ45cable I can place the unit anywhere within 300 feet. So this makes it very convenient to place the unit where I have space, or is a specific office, etc.

If the NAS hardware support print services that would be even better. The Dlink DNS-323 does support connecting to a printer via USB cable. So now your NAS as well as printer are able to go anywhere on the network that you want them to go. Need that printer assessable in so and so's office? No problem, place the NAS unit in there and the printer can print from the built in Print Server found in the NAS.

Installation of drives and configuration of the unit went very well. I was very surprised to find that I did not need to use any tools to install the drives or to take off the case cover. The front case cover slides up and off the unit exposing to SATA drive bays. Once you line up the drive, correctly you just slide it into the bay. When you have them in all the way, you will hear a little click. The click is the automatic drive lock mechanism to ensure that your drives do not move. Then just put on the front cover and get ready to plug in the power and network cable.

Plug the unit in to a power source and the network cable into our router/switch/etc and you are ready for configuration. I found it easier to wait and configure the printer last (if you are going to attach one).

The unit comes with a quick install utility. This will find your installed drives and walk you through the setup items. It should automatically find your drives and be ready to configure. You will need to know the user name and password, once logged in you will be asked to pick a RAID type and configure will begin.

WARNING NOTE: ALL DATA DURING THIS PROCESS WILL BE LOST.

The utility will then format your drives and you are ready to begin sharing out folders or moving data to the unit. There are of course a few other steps to setting the unit up, but the interface is easy to work with and the manual was well written. I was very impressed on the ease of use of this product. As a final note, you will want to verify that the drives that you want to install are on the manufacture's list of compatible drives.