Network Storage - Freecom classic 160GB Ethernet

Not really OT as so many posters have SoHo networks.

Just installed a Freecom classic 160GB Network Storage drive. £120 from
PCW.
# 2 machines using it are XP though there are 2 W98 to follow
# 100MB switch
# 802.11B WLAN
Noting that this is a USB2/Firewire and 100BaseT product - no GigaLAN
support

The copying of DVD/CD media has led to HDD capacity problems and I did
not want a single PC solution or one which required any particular PC to
be booted first. I also wanted a better data backup solution.

I read the CD based manual 1st. Shock horror!! It's a fair idea in this
instance.
Almost idiot proof though, I think.
1 hour had it running and active on the 1st 2 machines (all my PC's are
laptops of one sort or another)

I know you can get 250GB of USB2 storage for the same price but if you
want the added functionality this unit comes *highly recommended*. It
rocks a phat one, *Delighted*

If you have another spare Switch port then 2 can be nested providing
320GB of primary storage or 160BG Raid-1

Data transfer:
# many small files and folders - 160seconds/GB
# large mpeg files - 130seconds/GB

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Hog belched forth and ejected the following:

Coo!

So tell me, for the relatively uninitiated, is it simply a case of
plugging one into the free ethernet slots in my router?

I've had to stop using uknova and the like, see.

 

Correct, then load up a small application on each pc which will access
it. Enter the device ID and PIN into the pc app and Bob's your cross
dressing auntie.

Security seems to be pretty good and the drive can mounted/unmounted
from the app which is resident in the systray

 

I don't know about the drive in question, but for the Maxtor one I
have here, it's to handle the encryption.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Hog belched forth and ejected the following:

Many thanks, Mr.Hog.

 

As Darsy comments it is probably about security. Whatever, it works and
I am liking it a lot today.