The DSM-604H is portable and removable network data storage device that connects to an Ethernet port on a PC hub or switch.
1 One of the worst products on the market
Save you money and buy a real cheap computer. The device hangs when you copy a bunch of files to it and rarely works when you try to access it. And don't bother to call D-Link support about this product, because no one over there even knows how this product works.
2 The Perfect Data Storage Solution for your Home Network
I looked all over for a product like this. I didn't want a firewire or USB 2.0 hard drive that had to have a PC running, and I didn't want a $1000 network storage device with fancy features. I wanted something that just sat on the network silently, and could be accessed by anyone on the network at any time.
That's exactly what this does. I have this 40Gigs of space storing my web site files, my MP3 collection, and digital images from my digital camera. I back it up regularly aka. when I get around to it :) and this way any PC on my ome network. The laptop, the Kids' PCs, or my own can stream MP3s, movies, and view pictures without a certain PC having to be powered up.
The price was well worth what this can do.
Setup was rather simple, just follow the instructions, get the new firmware, and Windows XP automatically ads this device to your network places. I think it is call UPnP and XP and this device recognize each other automatically and communicate easily.
two thumbs up for D-Link.
3 Home Network Must-Have
This is a great little unit, and really the only affordable consumer option I managed to find.
At 40GB, it adds a nice amount of space for both music and pictures, and any other files you might want to share over your network.
The set-up was actually a little more complicated than I had expected, since the unit actually came with static IP set as default from the factory. The default IP was actually out of range from the default IP of the DI-624 I was trying to connect it to. The DI-624 came default as 192.168.0.1, which I never had any reason to change. However, the DSM-604H cam default as 192-168.1.111 ... odd set-up! Anyway, after I figured out that the IP was static, temporarily changed the IP of my router to within the range of the central home drive, and set the IP to dynamic, everything connected like a charm.
One piece of advice: I have fairly intermediate network skills, and it took me a little fiddling around to get this connected. Nothing impossible by any means, but worth a quick call to customer service if you've never done this before.
Once it was up and running it adds a lot of flexibility that most home networks don't have. The key is that you don't need to leave your computer powered on in order to access your data files ... an absolute must if your computer sits in your bedroom (where I for one, don't want it runnning 24/7).
Love this unit ... definetly worth the price.
