ZyXEL NSA310 1-Bay NAS Media Server (With 500GB HDD) - €90.37 delivered [Dabs.ie]

Basq

Picked this up last night for two reasons:

1. Primarily to keep important things backed up on both my machine and girlfriend's machine. Dropbox is great and all but not for the quantity I'd be backing up.
2. ATV / ATV2. Nuff said!

Has all the bells and whistles - BitTorrent, FTP, eMule etc. And it's one of the better reviewed NAS boxes available.

You can buy it with a 500GB disk installed from Dabs.ie - and that's in stock now (they even appear to have the diskless one at €3 more)!

PS - I bought it diskless from CCLOnline for £45 / €55 delivered but they seem be be out of stock now.

Simply Play Media Server for Streaming and Sharing Multimedia Includes 500GB Hard Drive

Easily enjoy HD videos and music everywhere

With a powerful CPU and ample memory, the NSA310 1-Bay Media Server can easily stream HD multimedia to different UPnP and DLNA-certified devices such as the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PS3 and DLNA TV in every room at home simultaneously. Acting as an iTunes server and SqueezeCenter, the NSA310 can make it easy to stream music on PCs, laptops, and SqueezeBoxes.

Simply play with Intuitive interface

Through NSA310’s intuitive user interface, you can quickly preview files through thumbnails and play photo slideshows directly from your Web browser. The NSA310 also allows you to create a music playlist and play it in the background for your slide shows.

Share with your family over home network

Want to share the photos and videos taken in family trips or your children’s birthday parties stored in your laptop or PC? Just store all of your favorite photos, music, videos from your PC to the NSA310, as your centralized digital media library, and your family can immediately access the files on their laptops and tablet PCs over your home network.

Share with your friends in a snap

What if you want to share the photos or videos you just taken with your friends? Without powering up your PC or laptop, just plug your digital cameras, smart phones or USB mass storage devices into the NSA310’s USB ports and push the copy/sync button to save the photos and videos in the NSA310. Few minutes later, your newly-added photos and videos will be automatically uploaded by the NSA310 to the social media sites like Flickr and YouTube and ready to share with your friends!

*It is recommended to create a specific share first for back files.

BitTorrent and eMule

The NSA310 features a BitTorrent client for fast downloading and sharing large files. With high-speed DHT (Distributed Hash Tables) mode and TCP/UDP tracker protocols support, the NSA310 overcomes the drawbacks of slow and disrupted downloading and also supports eMule for downloading.

RSS

After you subscribe to RSS feeds and add the links to the NSA310, the built-in RSS client enables the NSA310 to automatically download the latest digital contents, such as TV programs and Podcasts. With RSS server support, the NSA310 makes it easy for you to share the files with your friends by subscribing to the RSS feeds you set.

FTP server

With the NSA310, you can establish your own FTP server and manage access authorization for it. The auto-upload function can automatically upload files stored in the NSA to FTP servers; it’s a very efficient way to update multiple FTP servers simultaneously and share with your friends and family.

One-click hosting sites downloading

In addition to serving as an eMule/BitTorrent/FTP server, our one-click hosting download manager makes it easy for you to manage large files downloads from RapidShare or Megaupload.

Organize media at your fingertips

The zPilot™ file auto-classification function of the NSA310 enables you to easily store and manage media files through simple drag-and-drop operations. With zPilot™ software installed on your computer, you can drag one or more files or folders to the zPilot™ icon on the desktop, and they will be identified and delivered automatically to music, photo, video or other designated folders on the NSA310.

Soarer

I assume it's not limited to 500gb?

Don't see an hdd limit quoted, so a 3TB internal would suit?

Basq

Soarer wrote: »

I assume it's not limited to 500gb?

Don't see an hdd limit quoted, so a 3TB internal would suit?

Yep, from a review above:

It accepts the latest 3TB hard disks and you can even plug in an external eSata disk to create a Raid array to protect data should the internal disk fail.

WeleaseWoderick

Would it be possible to hook up an external hard disk to this instead of installing an internal one?

Basq

WeleaseWoderick wrote: »

Would it be possible to hook up an external hard disk to this instead of installing an internal one?

No, it hasn't got USB support.

EDIT: Sorry.. actually, it has 2 USB ports. I know they can be used for off-site backups. e.g plug in a USB key, click a button on front of the device and it'll copy from NAS to that USB. But it appears to support external storage alright.

Official Site

I should make it clear I haven't recieved the device.. just ordered it, and was despatched earlier.

Captain Darling

So you can download torrents directly to this? My laptop is ancient and utorrent keeps crashing it. Even itunes wont operate on it, i use it strictly for browsing the internet.

Could i use this to download torrents, music on itunes and then stream them to my xbox/HDtv etc?

I'm not familiar with these things at all.

Basq

Yep..

AFAIK, you use it's web server to upload torrents, or use an RSS feed.

AdMMM

You mention your use of the ATV. Do you have to convert all your videos over to .m4v using something like Handbrake for all your videos?

Captain Darling

Damn you bargain alerts. Tempting me with all this hi-tech giggery pokery.

adox

AdMMM wrote: »

You mention your use of the ATV. Do you have to convert all your videos over to .m4v using something like Handbrake for all your videos?

Jailbreak your ATV and you can throw pretty much any format at it.

Captain Darling

I've a ton of CD's (how quaint) that i want to upload onto a hard drive and store. If i load them onto my laptop can i then transfer them across to this unit?

Can i then sync my ipod with the unit and not the laptop?

Basq

AdMMM wrote: »

You mention your use of the ATV. Do you have to convert all your videos over to .m4v using something like Handbrake for all your videos?

Yeah, as adox said.. slap XBMC on it and add the NAS as a share. Sorted!

Captain Darling wrote: »

I've a ton of CD's (how quaint) that i want to upload onto a hard drive and store. If i load them onto my laptop can i then transfer them across to this unit?

Can i then sync my ipod with the unit and not the laptop?

You can transfer them across alright.

With regards syncing with iPod, I don't think so.. you'd need iTunes or an equivalent to do that. EDIT: There is an iTunes server on it though..

OT: From reviews, speeds are decent but not mind blowing. So if you're using it for backups, I'd consider one big backup (may take a long time) and then incremental backups.

If speed is a concern.. maybe pick up one of the more expensive highly rated units on the list.

johnny_adidas

asked for an update on stock from CCLOnline as im interested and have a hard drive already. got an email 20 mins later saying it was back in only to discover it wasnt

kaizersoze

Considering a 500gig hd on it's own costs between €70 & €90 this is good value.

Basq

johnny_adidas wrote: »

asked for an update on stock from CCLOnline as im interested and have a hard drive already. got an email 20 mins later saying it was back in only to discover it wasnt

Yeah, they had 90+ when I ordered last night. Sold out quite quickly.

They had it for £6 cheaper last week!

AdMMM

adox wrote: »

Jailbreak your ATV and you can throw pretty much any format at it.

I did have it Jailbroken but restored it because XBMC wasn't completely stable. My ATV is connected to the family TV so I just let them work away on Netflix which suits them down to the ground.

wolfyboy555

Think i might get one of these! Have an atv so think i'l get use of it! I have a hdd plugged into my router but that means my laptop has to be on for it to be shared. Does this mean the drive will be shared regardless of my laptop?

Basq

As long as the NAS is powered and plugged into a router, the share / drive will be accessible.

wolfyboy555

Cheers thanks think i'l get one! Having content on network far more reliable than streaming from a filehost esp after megaupload disaster

manster

it doesn't say if it supports nzb downloads - anyone confirm?

Basq

manster wrote: »

it doesn't say if it supports nzb downloads - anyone confirm?

From a quick Google, I see no mention of it.. so that's a no-go I'd say!

Soarer

Just got notification from CCLonline that the diskless is back in stock with them.

johnny_adidas

before i buy one whats the difference between the 310 and the 2 bay 221 on amazon here? is it just speed?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NSA221-Network-Attached-Storage-Appliance/dp/B003UMJSLM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1329999300&sr=8-4

310 additional features according to spec sheets:
One-click hosting sites download manager
Maximum 2 USB printer servers (by CIFS protocol)
APC UPS monitoring and auto shutdown
RAID features differ
eSATA hibernation support
Wake-on-LAN support
E-mail notification when finish BT download task

so i guess ill go with the 310 although a second bay for a dedicated backup drive would be handy

Basq

johnny_adidas wrote: »

before i buy one whats the difference between the 310 and the 2 bay 221 on amazon here? is it just speed?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NSA221-Network-Attached-Storage-Appliance/dp/B003UMJSLM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1329999300&sr=8-4

Well.. it can run RAID 1 for proper backup enthusiasts.. but it's reviews are more middling!

RobertFoster

Just ordered from CCL as I already have a 2TB internal drive with my media on it. It'll be nice to have centralised media, though I suppose I'll have to do something with the DVDs I ripped as the PS3 isn't particularly happy with the way I ripped them. Oh well, something to do.


Ever since I got my first modem from Esat, I thought ZyXEL was pronounced like zekiel... looking at a video about this NAS, turns out it's pronounced zi-cell. I wonder what tech support thought every time I mentioned that I had a Hebrew prophet as a modem.

Basq

RobertFoster wrote: »

Ever since I got my first modem from Esat, I thought ZyXEL was pronounced like zekiel... looking at a video about this NAS, turns out it's pronounced zi-cell. I wonder what tech support thought every time I mentioned that I had a Hebrew prophet as a modem.

I've been pronouncing it "Ziks-Ell" like some kind of German dictator! :pac:

WeleaseWoderick

Would something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sumvision-100Mbps-Network-Attached-Storage/dp/B004OILAD0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330005064&sr=8-1 do a similar job if your media is already on an external HDD?

Don't have much experience with the world of NAS but want to be able to stream to XBMC on ATV2.

ED E

Dont really need this, but I'm very tempted. Current nas we have on the network is an old 1TB WorldBook and god is that fecker slow.

rai555

RobertFoster wrote: »

Just ordered from CCL as I already have a 2TB internal drive with my media on it. It'll be nice to have centralised media, though I suppose I'll have to do something with the DVDs I ripped as the PS3 isn't particularly happy with the way I ripped them. Oh well, something to do.


Ever since I got my first modem from Esat, I thought ZyXEL was pronounced like zekiel... looking at a video about this NAS, turns out it's pronounced zi-cell. I wonder what tech support thought every time I mentioned that I had a Hebrew prophet as a modem.

Just be aware - if you stick in your drive with gigs of goodies - it will be formatted

mp3ireland2

Possibly a bit off topic but is there much differnce between using something like this and using a router that you can attach a hard drive too via usb.... The latter probably wudn't do torrents i suppose... and would be slower? any other disadvantages?

brock92

Bought this NAS recently for € 171.72 from dabs.ie
I think its good value

LaCie 2TB LaCie Network Space 2 Ethernet/Hi-Speed USB


http://www.dabs.ie/products/lacie-2tb-lacie-network-space-2-ethernet-hi-speed-usb-6LQ1.html?src=7

uck51js9zml2yt

I ordered a 310 this evening.cant afford it but its done now.:D

how easy are these things to connect up?

daingeanrob

sorely tempted, can't justify it but that never mattered before. cheers op!

Basq

This arrived from CCLOnline this morning.. delivered via DPD.

Keith186

Dual bay NAS going cheap on Amazon which will let you do a RAID set up.

Not sure if I need it at all myself. Havent ordered yet...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-ShareCenter-Network-Storage-Enclosure/dp/B004AIWOXY/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1330342886&sr=1-1

Basq

In my experience - most cheap 2 bay NAS's are cheap for a reason.

nodolan

I have a ZyXEL NSA221 from Dabs.

It has:

2x1TB internal
1TB External
2TB External

(BTW: Set up as JBOD and not Raid)

If you have a lot of data on various disks it takes a bit of calculating to transfer all your data over as you have to format the internal disk(s) for it to be used. The front USB port is used for backing up USB thumb drives mainly (there's a setting that allows you to do it automatically when you insert the thumb drive).

Have to say though that I ended up switching off all the extras (web sharing (LAN), torrents etc.) as the system was constantly indexing. I suppose with 4.5TB of data that's to be expected but it got very annoying. Also, I gave up on the zPilot software as it was very slow and I just mapped a network drive to it to transfer new data.

It runs a small Linux kernel and you can install add-ons from within the web interface - there's also a middling sized community out there that provides 'patches' to enable other stuff on it.

We use it almost every day and we stream movies and music across our home WiFi network to two laptops and an Android phone from it (with no stuttering etc.) so I'd highly recommend the ZyXEL.

mp3ireland2

Bought a dislkless one just now for CCL... thought it had been reduced by a tenner, but the shipping was £15 :-( Just wondering does anybody know where to get a good value internal hard disk to use with it? I want a least a 2tb, do 3tb exist? are they a lot more pricey?

Basq

Do bear in mind... the security seal will be broken on the Zyxel from CCLOnline.

They come with a 500GB HDD pre-installed so CCLOnline open them, removed the HDD and then bundled it back together for sale.

My security seal was broken..however all plastic covering was intact, I've it installed and it works fine.

But a tad poor and unprofessional that it was never mentioned.. I only found mention of it over on HotUKDeals just there.

I've sent CCLOnline an angry e-mail.. but judging by the responses over on HotUKDeals, you can send it back if you want or reject it outright when it arrives.

Basq

This thing is bloody AWESOME!

Couple of things I've noticed / tested so far:

- transferring over WiFi to a SATA Internal Disk over FTP steadies out at 3MB a second so a 178MB file took a minute to transfer.
- 'Download Services' ability seems cool too. Input a direct link to download direct to NAS or even better, an RSS feed with your favourite TV shows / music / podcasts and it'll download it as soon as it's published and ready for your viewing in the morning.
- copy / sync to USB seems nifty. Pop in a USB key in the morning with your latest downloaded music / podcasts / TV shows (etc) and let it do a sync to your USB key and it'll beep when finished.
- couple of nice packages too including Polkast (browse your media easily on iOS devices) and auto upload to YouTube / Flickr - not used but promising enough from the sounds of it.

And loads more packages to do with Wordpress, SqueezeBox etc.

Very impressed with it!

wolfyboy555

cool. Mine was only dispatched today but looking forward to getting it now!

uck51js9zml2yt

Are there any clear instructions anywhere on how to use this thing.

I've it ordered but where do I go from there

Basq

Kensley Rancid Pumpernickel wrote: »

Are there any clear instructions anywhere on how to use this thing.

I've it ordered but where do I go from there

There's a decent quick start guide.. basically:

a) use a coin or screwdrive to open the enclosure
b) install a SATA hard drive in it, and close it (all data will be wiped off, so bear that in mind!)
c) connect power supply to wall and ethernet cable to router (both supplied). Prop it alongside your router and turn it on.
d) install the software from CD, or get it from here!
e) follow configuration instructions in here / access the web interface.

wolfyboy555

Balls it wipes off the data on the hard drive? I've all my stuff on this http://aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_13501.htm .It took me like a full day to put it on it from my computer! Also do i need a new cable other than usb to connect it?

AntiRip

Can you use Jdownloader on this?

Also, is the bittorrent client any good?

I got one of these before, cheap thing, but the client was crap. No scheduling function etc.

Does the client have the same functionality as uTorrent so u can use with private sites?

If it does have these functions it would be brilliant


Just wondering also why it wipes the hdd's? I have 2 1tb external hdd of media so I wouldn't be able to connect these to it?

Any help in understanding what it can do appreciated thanks

Basq

AntiRip wrote: »

Can you use Jdownloader on this?

Can't see why not.. once the drive is mapped to your PC, you could just set your download path in JDownloader as the mapped drive,

AntiRip wrote: »

Also, is the bittorrent client any good?

Does the client have the same functionality as uTorrent so u can use with private sites?

Tried both a public and private RSS feed.. both worked as expected.

AntiRip wrote: »

Just wondering also why it wipes the hdd's?

Standard practice that NAS boxes format drives for use.

uck51js9zml2yt

Basq wrote: »

There's a decent quick start guide.. basically:

a) use a coin or screwdrive to open the enclosure
b) install a SATA hard drive in it, and close it (all data will be wiped off, so bear that in mind!)
c) connect power supply to wall and ethernet cable to router (both supplied). Prop it alongside your router and turn it on.
d) install the software from CD, or get it from here!
e) follow configuration instructions in here / access the web interface.

I assume that since mine is the 500gb version that the "wipes your data" part is irrelevant.:)

Basq

Yep, it'll come formatted.

AntiRip

Basq wrote: »

Yep, it'll come formatted.

So basically, to add the external hdd's through the USB you'd have to transfer your data(media) to another hdd and upload that media again through the web interface?

Basq

Yep.. sounds about right AntiRip.

Although "upload that media through the web interface" is a tad misleading.. you can see the drive as a network share so you just upload the files / folders same as you would for any other drive.

Woke up this morning to a NAS box full of last night's telly.. automated and downloaded overnight. Sweet!

AntiRip

Basq wrote: »

Yep.. sounds about right AntiRip.

Although "upload that media through the web interface" is a tad misleading.. you can see the drive as a network share so you just upload the files / folders same as you would for any other drive.

Woke up this morning to a NAS box full of last night's telly.. automated and downloaded overnight. Sweet!

Awh that is sweet! Please don't say anymore... too late actually cause once it's in the head you'll keep thinking about it until you just impulsively buy it