Buffalo Linkstation HS-D400GL 400GB Network Attached Storage - £144.99

[binary0110]

Buffalo HS-D400GL Linkstation Home Server 400GB (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000F8XZHM/thedvdforums-21)

£144.99

This is a pretty good price for a good quality 400GB NAS. It has a Gigabit ethernet connection and extra USB ports to add additional drives or connect a printer.

In addition, the firmware can be flashed to support Debian Linux which then allows it to run an Apache web server with PHP and MySQL, Asterisk VOIP server, FTP server etc (for more info, see http://www.linkstationwiki.net). It can also conveniently act as a media server for Apple iTunes, Xbox XBMC, Slimserver etc.

Binary0110

Edit: updated price

[richieuk]

Alternatively Western Digital 500GB World Edition Gigabit Ethernet NAS £136.72 @ Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MSVNM4/thedvdforums-21)

Though there is a 4-6 week backorder on it.

[binary0110]

Alternatively Western Digital 500GB World Edition Gigabit Ethernet NAS £136.72 @ Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MSVNM4/thedvdforums-21)

Though there is a 4-6 week backorder on it.

These drives are reducing in price so quickly! The only issue with the WD World Edition is that you have to use their own software (which only runs on Windows) to access the drive although I suppose it is possible that someone will be able to hack the firmware in the future so that a free distribution of Linux or other OS can be installed (like the Buffalo Linkstation).

[Alastair]

Buffalo HS-D400GL Linkstation Home Server 400GB (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000F8XZHM/thedvdforums-21)

£149.99

This is a pretty good price for a good quality 400GB NAS. It has a Gigabit ethernet connection and extra USB ports to add additional drives or connect a printer.

In addition, the firmware can be flashed to support Debian Linux which then allows it to run an Apache web server with PHP and MySQL, Asterisk VOIP server, FTP server etc (for more info, see http://www.linkstationwiki.net). It can also conveniently act as a media server for Apple iTunes, Xbox XBMC, Slimserver etc.

Binary0110

EDIT. Scrap that, just found answer in wiki

[ROne]

thanks for this, was looking for something this morning to do this role.

Do people have real world experience of large file transfer from one of these?

[gregh]

do either of these support streaming of video to an XBox 360? Last time I looked I couldn't find a NAS box that did this.

[Deron]

I stream off my Maxtor Shared Storage nas to my 2 xboxes no problem...

One connected via router and the other connected via 200mbps power over ethernet.

Stream's dvd's and anything else the xbox can handle fine.

[binary0110]

do either of these support streaming of video to an XBox 360? Last time I looked I couldn't find a NAS box that did this.

You can with the Buffalo drive:

http://linkstationwiki.net/index.php?title=TwonkyVision_UPnP_MediaServer

Edit: Incidentally, any NAS capable of hosting a Samba share (i.e. a Windows network share) should be able to serve media to an old Xbox (but not Xbox 360).

[welshyorkie]

The original Buffalo drive is coming up for me at £253.97 so maybe the bargain has gone.

[richieuk]

The original Buffalo drive is coming up for me at £253.97 so maybe the bargain has gone.

Buffalo HS-D400GL Linkstation Home Server 400GB £151.32 @ Dabs (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p(50662)a(60823)url(http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=419Z))

In stock and free shipping this weekend for orders > £99

[Xeeozees]

it's gone up to 166 on dabs. ordered it anyway.

[richieuk]

Buffalo HS-D400GL Linkstation Home Server 400GB £144.99 @ Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000F8XZHM/thedvdforums-21)

Though there is a 1-2 week backorder on it.

[Art Vanderlay]

Buffalo HS-D400GL Linkstation Home Server 400GB £144.99 @ Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000F8XZHM/thedvdforums-21)

Though there is a 1-2 week backorder on it.

Listed as 300GB in the description, which may be a mistake, but may mean you end up with the wrong thing

[richieuk]

Listed as 300GB in the description, which may be a mistake, but may mean you end up with the wrong thing

I think it's only a mistake in a description, Amazon have copied it from the older 300 GB version (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000F8XZHC/thedvdforums-21) which is no longer available. If you ordered something called Buffalo HS-D400GL Linkstation Home Server 400GB then you would expect to be 400 and not 300GB capacity!

[ArthurDent]

Ah what the hell, ordered one.

I've taken a screen grab just in case they send the wrong one. But it looks like they'll be sending the 400Gb version as stated in the confirmation e-mail: 1 "Buffalo HS-D400GL-1 LinkStation Home Server 400GB"

[silmonli]

Is the WESTERN DIGITAL HDD 500GB (or even 1TB) MYBOOK WORLD EDITION ETHERNET any good?

I've seen the 500GB going for about £150 and the 1tB version going for £250...

[Pheonix]

Is the WESTERN DIGITAL HDD 500GB (or even 1TB) MYBOOK WORLD EDITION ETHERNET any good?

I've seen the 500GB going for about £150 and the 1tB version going for £250...

As previously mentioned in the thread, you have to use some software to access the drive, the buffalo one presumably doesn't, and as said, you can flash the firmware to install Debian Linux, and use it as a server (which is damn cool. If I didn't have a server already, I'd be tempted!)

[NX3]

I can access my Buffalo HS from anywhere on the network without having to run extra software. The OpenLink firmware stuff is all very neat and the HS version of the Linkstation can now be modified :) I've not tried it yet but I've seen a ordinary LinkStation running Linux and its all very neat.

[Xeeozees]

REMOVED - Discussion of piracy is not allowed here.

Well worth it, especially since at peak it only uses 18W of electricity!

[simonbenn]

it's gone up to 166 on dabs. ordered it anyway.

Back in stock @ 151 at dabs

It appears that these are supremely hackable devices, better then the LS Pro versions which have a different ARM9 chipset. Cheers OP.

[ArthurDent]

Nice comparison of the different linkstations here: http://www.buffalo-technology.com/products/linkstationchart.php

[suniil]

REMOVED - Discussion of piracy is not allowed here.

REMOVED - Discussion of piracy is not allowed here.

Well worth it, especially since at peak it only uses 18W of electricity!

[Chris]

Review inc speed comparisons of the Pro model and standard model on which the HS model is based: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/28111/75/

[spinynorman]

Thanks OP & others :thumbs:

Just ordered one from Amazon for my slimserver....I must be mental :cuckoo:

[chuteless]

Is all this firmware updating and getting it to run as an Apache web server with PHP and MySQL quite easy? Would like to be able to test websites out but don't really want to buy another computer to use as a server, so this sounds ideal.

Also can anyone tell me how much noise these things make? Just made my PC nice and quiet so don't really want to ruin that!

[spartacus101]

How does this unit work with a media centre PC? If I connect this to my router, does it show up in my netwrok places on my media centre like my shared drives on my PC do now?

Or is the only way to access stuff on this drive via a webpage/unique software?

[ArthurDent]

I've not got mine yet, but I believe that you can just map the drive using Tools-Map Network Drive in "My Computer", like this:

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4253/nasbk2.jpg

Although it says that the software mapped the drive, I am of the opinion that you can map the drive manually.

[Chris]

Although it says that the software mapped the drive, I am of the opinion that you can map the drive manually.

Yes it's just a standard windows share so you can either just map the drive manually or go via my network places. Works well with XBMC as well and will appear as an smb share.

You also have ftp access if you want (I find it slightly faster for transferring files to my HS-D300GL).

If does support apple file sharing but uses an older version so has limited file size for transfers and file name length is limited. You can turn of apple file sharing on the linkstation and connect via windows shaing or ftp without these limitations on a mac.

If you want to mod it follow the guides on linkstationwiki.net, you can do things to speed it up such as changing the disk format from ext3 to xfs. (the newer pro and live models already use xfs). They also have guides on upgrading the harddisk etc.

[snow-munki]

REMOVED - Discussion of piracy is not allowed here..

Well worth it, especially since at peak it only uses 18W of electricity!

It records TV shows for you, how do you manage that ? Or do you mean it is linked to a HTPC which does the recording ?!?!

[binary0110]

Is all this firmware updating and getting it to run as an Apache web server with PHP and MySQL quite easy? Would like to be able to test websites out but don't really want to buy another computer to use as a server, so this sounds ideal.

Also can anyone tell me how much noise these things make? Just made my PC nice and quiet so don't really want to ruin that!

I had absolutely no knowledge of running Debian from the command line prior to updating the firmware but it didn't take long to learn how to use it. Someone has conveniently developed a script which will batch install Apache with PHP and MySQL (as well as other useful applications). The script also installs Webmin, an http based GUI to manage the Linkstation instead of having to use the command line. Here's a brief summary of what to do:

(i) Flash the freelink firmware to the Linkstation (http://linkstationwiki.net/index.php?title=Freelink_-_Convert_the_LinkStation_into_a_Full-fledged_Debian_Linux_Server)

In order to do this, you need to download the firmware for the HG model (whose hardware is identical to the HS model from Amazon) but use the firmware flasher for the HS model in order to communicate with the HS Linkstation. All the necessary files are available from Linkstation Wiki. Do not be worried if the firware flasher says that the update process has failed - it has still worked. This may happen because it isn't picking up the correct IP address after the firmware update is complete and so believes that the update has failed.

(ii) Install Freelinkomatix Script (http://linkstationwiki.net/index.php?title=FreeLinkomatix)

Install both the scripts (remembering to reboot the Linkstation in between each one). The script is completely automatic but requires the Linkstation to have internet access (if your ADSL/broadband router uses DHCP to assign IP addresses, there is no need to configure internet access - it should be automatic). It is pretty self explanatory - just accept the default settings if you are presented with an option you don't understand.

After this is complete, you can access the Linkstation via Webmin by pointing your internet browser to https://LinkstationIPaddress:10000

The only other thing you need to do is to modify the hosts file on the Linkstation to add all the IP addresses of computers which you will use to access the Linkstation. It is important to do this otherwise the Linkstation will be painfully slow. This can be done via Webmin or through the command line. Further details on the Linkstation wiki.

Hope this helps,

Binary0110

[Xeeozees]

Mine arrived from Dabs on Tuesday DOA.

D'oh!

[chuteless]

Thanks for that reply Binary0110 - very helpful. Think I'll probably give one a try.

[coastersteve]

Is the WESTERN DIGITAL HDD 500GB (or even 1TB) MYBOOK WORLD EDITION ETHERNET any good?

I've seen the 500GB going for about £150 and the 1tB version going for £250...

Where did you see the 1TB version for £250?

[Chris]

Where did you see the 1TB version for £250?

$499 (approx. £250) from the Western Digital US online store. So UK RRP will most proberly be around £300.

[ArthurDent]

£270 here: Western Digital My Book 1000GB / Ethernet / 7200rpm (WDG2NC10000E) (http://www.lambdatek.co.uk/componentshop/index.pl?searchString=WDG2NC10000E&level1_uid=0&go=go)

Although not currently in stock.

[ArthurDent]

My Buffalo HS-D400GL has just turned up, and I can confirm that Amazon are supplying the 400Gb version, not the 300Gb version in the description.

Can't believe how easy it was to set up the NAS using wireless from my laptop. :D

[gregh]

does anyone who has this have it hooked up to an Xbox 360? I'd like to now if pics, vids etc stored on the NAS can be seen from the Xbox 360.

cheers,

greg

[spartacus101]

My Buffalo HS-D400GL has just turned up, and I can confirm that Amazon are supplying the 400Gb version, not the 300Gb version in the description.

Can't believe how easy it was to set up the NAS using wireless from my laptop. :DI'm on the verge for one of these... can you confirm if this model is usable without software in XP?

I don't want to have to install some bloatware across 4 PCs if I can at all help it!

Just want to plug it into my router, and hopefully that'll be it!

Thanks!

[pingu]

Bit of an unusual request, but are any owners of this device able to tell me whether it accepts 110-240V input?

I'm looking for a NAS that will work on both sides of the pond without any external step-up or step-down voltage conversion being required. Hopefully it says something on the rear? Any help appreciated.

[moko7t8]

does anyone who has this have it hooked up to an Xbox 360? I'd like to now if pics, vids etc stored on the NAS can be seen from the Xbox 360.

cheers,

greg

I'd be interested in knowing this too

[binary0110]

Bit of an unusual request, but are any owners of this device able to tell me whether it accepts 110-240V input?

I'm looking for a NAS that will work on both sides of the pond without any external step-up or step-down voltage conversion being required. Hopefully it says something on the rear? Any help appreciated.

Yes, it will work. Just for info, the back of the unit states that it is double insulated and will run off 100-240V 50-60Hz input drawing 0.6A.

I'm on the verge for one of these... can you confirm if this model is usable without software in XP?

I don't want to have to install some bloatware across 4 PCs if I can at all help it!

Just want to plug it into my router, and hopefully that'll be it!

Thanks!

That is correct - you will not need to install any additional software to get it to work in Windows XP. You can access it directly as a Windows network share.

As for Xbox 360, yes you can stream to it but it isn't a simple task. You need to install a compatible media server on the LinkStation. This would mean flashing the firmware to unlock the LinkStation (btw this is completely legal as the operating system is open source) and then compiling and installing a media server and configuring it to serve media to the Xbox 360. I believe TwonkyVision and Ushare are both capable of doing this. Further info available here:

http://linkstationwiki.net/index.php?title=TwonkyVision_UPnP_MediaServer

http://www.linkstationwiki.net/index.php?title=Ushare_-_UPnP_Media_Server_for_Linux

[pingu]

Yes, it will work. Just for info, the back of the unit states that it is double insulated and will run off 100-240V 50-60Hz input drawing 0.6A.

Cheers mate! Guess I'm off to buy one now. :thumbs:

[spartacus101]

Thanks, binary0110!

[johnrevill]

Does this NAS contain any kind of sleep timer so you can schedule it to turn on/off at certain times?

[john316]

Does this NAS contain any kind of sleep timer so you can schedule it to turn on/off at certain times?

Does indeed - you can set it via the web interface

[jon smith]

Does the Buffalo work Ok with a mac?

[ArthurDent]

Think I'm sending mine back because it's too damn noisy for my living room. The fan noise is just unbearable and there doesn't appear to be any way to change the fan speed. You would have thought that the fan speed would vary with the temperature of the unit, but no it just runs full speed all the time.

Shame really because it's such a neat solution.

Edit: Just turned it off to give my ears a rest!

[Chris]

Does the Buffalo work Ok with a mac?

Yes, no problems with samba shares or ftp.

[Chris]

Think I'm sending mine back because it's too damn noisy for my living room. The fan noise is just unbearable and there doesn't appear to be any way to change the fan speed. You would have thought that the fan speed would vary with the temperature of the unit, but no it just runs full speed all the time.

Shame really because it's such a neat solution.

Edit: Just turned it off to give my ears a rest!

The fan has 2 speed - slow (quiet) or fast (loud). You can only control fan speed manually if you have used openlink/freelink etc.

Do you have a gigabit network as I have heard that can sometimes cause the linkstation fan to run at the loud fast speed.

[kjmacphee]

I've got a 300GB non-Gigabit version and I too find the fan pretty noisy. It's by my front door so not really an issue but I couldn't, say, have it in the front room as it is way too loud.

[kamaran]

Yes, it will work. Just for info, the back of the unit states that it is double insulated and will run off 100-240V 50-60Hz input drawing 0.6A.



That is correct - you will not need to install any additional software to get it to work in Windows XP. You can access it directly as a Windows network share.

As for Xbox 360, yes you can stream to it but it isn't a simple task. You need to install a compatible media server on the LinkStation. This would mean flashing the firmware to unlock the LinkStation (btw this is completely legal as the operating system is open source) and then compiling and installing a media server and configuring it to serve media to the Xbox 360. I believe TwonkyVision and Ushare are both capable of doing this. Further info available here:

http://linkstationwiki.net/index.php?title=TwonkyVision_UPnP_MediaServer

http://www.linkstationwiki.net/index.php?title=Ushare_-_UPnP_Media_Server_for_Linux

Any idea if these support transcoding to wmv from divx? EDIT: No they dont :(

[MartinC]

It can also conveniently act as a media server for Apple iTunes, Xbox XBMC, Slimserver etc.

does this work with Itunes then as a separate server?

I thought this was only the more expensive LinkStation Live models?

[moko7t8]

does this work with Itunes then as a separate server?

I thought this was only the more expensive LinkStation Live models?

That's what I have bought it for so hopefully it does.

[Chris]

does this work with Itunes then as a separate server?

I thought this was only the more expensive LinkStation Live models?

You have install the itunes server yourself on the non-live models, so you need to have openlink or freelink installed on them. http://linkstationwiki.net/index.php?title=Firefly (if you plan to use freelink and the FreeLinkomatix script it can automate the installation of the server)

The Live model already has the itunes server on it.

[ArthurDent]

The fan has 2 speed - slow (quiet) or fast (loud). You can only control fan speed manually if you have used openlink/freelink etc.

Do you have a gigabit network as I have heard that can sometimes cause the linkstation fan to run at the loud fast speed.

No just standard 10/100BaseT ethernet connection to my Sky Netgear router.

It's definitely go back, can't stand the racket. :oh-hum:

[bs7]

does the fan stay on constantly or slow down when not being accessed?

[ArthurDent]

does the fan stay on constantly or slow down when not being accessed?

Well the one I've got starts off at low speed for the first 30 seconds or so and then launches straight into full speed mode where it stays until I've had enough and switch the bloody thing off.

Have to say though that it's much quieter now that it's in the box by the front door waiting for DHL to come pick it up! ;)

[eric2]

Would a Packard Bell Medi@ TV 2 media center be able to access and work with this?

[gregh]

wish I'd got one of these at the time, now up to £253 on amazon :(

[johnkilleen]

These NAS boxes are great for just plug and play. But for those who are not aware, if you are comfortable with building your own PCs and setting up a home network, you can save money on a NAS (and more importantly, have something far more flexible) if you build your own.

It doesn't need a high power PC. I bought an old motherboard on Ebay (£5), a 700MHz Celeron chip (£4), 256MB of RAM (£6) and a copy of NasLite (http://www.serverelements.com/) ($30 and solid as a rock). Add a case and power supply, and any number of ordinary hard discs as you need more storage. Mine sits in a cupboard and has been running non-stop for months. I have a Slimserver (Squeezebox) and a Pinnacle Showcenter server and both servers point at the NasLite NAS for content. All works very well. Just thought it was worth a mention.

[shy1807]

Is the http://www.linkstationwiki.net site still working?

It doesn't seem to load for me. :?:

[RAPepper]

It's fine for me.

RAP

[Alastair]

These NAS boxes are great for just plug and play. But for those who are not aware, if you are comfortable with building your own PCs and setting up a home network, you can save money on a NAS (and more importantly, have something far more flexible) if you build your own.

It doesn't need a high power PC. I bought an old motherboard on Ebay (£5), a 700MHz Celeron chip (£4), 256MB of RAM (£6) and a copy of NasLite (http://www.serverelements.com/) ($30 and solid as a rock). Add a case and power supply, and any number of ordinary hard discs as you need more storage. Mine sits in a cupboard and has been running non-stop for months. I have a Slimserver (Squeezebox) and a Pinnacle Showcenter server and both servers point at the NasLite NAS for content. All works very well. Just thought it was worth a mention.

Power consumption is another contributing factor for me looking into these.

[brendonw]

anything else at this sort of price point that'll do the Itunes server thing ?

Seeing as the price is back at 263ish

[brendonw]

Direct Link (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000J0LEV0/thedvdforums-21)

This also sounds a reasonable deal - will it do the same as the other ?

Including the Itunes server ?

[shy1807]

It's fine for me.

RAP

Ah, working now. Must've been down when I was trying this morning. Thanks!

[Enginjon]

dabs have the 500 Gb pro for 149.20

here (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p(50662)a(60823)url(http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=44R8))