Buffalo 1.6TB TeraStation NAS Storage Center Buffalo’s TeraStation Series of Terabyte Network Attached Storage offers powerful storage, server and multimedia solutions for both the SMB and consumer markets. Combining advanced fault tolerant data solutions, robust file security and Gigabit Ethernet networking, TeraStation allows users to deploy a simple, cost-effective data or media server to their office or home network in literally minutes without cutting corners on features or expandability. By offering a total of four USB 2.0 ports, the device can accommodate additional external USB hard drives for expanded networked storage or as backup targets. Additionally, a USB printer that can be attached and shared over the network via TeraStation’s built-in Print Server. Compatibility with Buffalo’s LinkTheater Wireless HD Media Player allows wired or wireless streaming of your multimedia files to your television in almost any audio, video or graphic format. With its sleek, aesthetic design and ultra-silent operation, the TeraStation will get envious looks whether it is located in a busy office environment or on the entertainment system in your living room without adding any distracting fan noise or taking up much space.
1 RAID 5 Operating Mode is SLOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!
I was excited when I was finally able to pick up the 1.0gb Terastation at Fry's 3/14. Got it home and followed the start-up manual for setting up a RAID 5 array (700gb total capacity -- not the 750gb volume as advertised).
Immediately I noticed very slow writes when copying files to the Terasation (63 seconds to copy an 80mb file; 2:24 minutes to copy a 140gb file). I had the unit plugged into a Netgear 5-port gigabit switch and was copying files from a gigabit equipped workstation; therefore, I know the slow copy issue is not network related.
I called Buffalo Tech Support; they could provide no useful answers and escaled the problem to a senior support specialist, then said I would receive a call from him within 48 hours. I then investigated the problem on my own by reformatting the unit into Spanning mode (1tb config). The copy times were significantly better (15 seconds to copy an 80mb file) and what I would normally expect across a gigabit backbone. Next I tried RAID 1 (mirroring mode) and copy times were only slightly slower than Spanning mode; again as expected due to writing across two drives. But when I switched back to RAID 5 again I had very slow write times.
Another call to tech support revealed that RAID 5 mode is software-based, not hardware based which obviously is the problem. However, there is no mention of this in Buffalo's literature about the Terastation. Again they could not supply any solutions to the problem. Incidentally, I never received any call backs from their senior support person. So they then told me that someone from the engineering staff would call me the next business day. I'm still waiting.
I could only recommend this product if you want to use in Spanning mode, but then of course you need a way to back-up 900mb worth of data. RAID 1 only mirrors 2 individual drives so you only get two 230gb volumes, even though there are four separate 250gb drives in the unit. It would be more logical to RAID two drives together into a 500mb volume then mirror that to another 500mb volume but the set-up doesn't allow you do this.
This could have been a good product but it's half-baked and tech support is useless. I'd wait on buying until they work the bugs out.
