Linksys NAS server

If you’re shopping around for an inexpensive NAS server, don’t overlook the Linksys EFG80 EtherFast Instant GigaDrive, an entry-level NAS device with 80G bytes of shared storage, password protected directories, and a  print server for only $500.

If you went out and bought hard disks for your PCs, you might save money compared to the cost of the Linksys NAS box. But the device offers better performance and security. Plus it runs an embedded Linux system so it can support more users than any Windows nonserver desktop system.

Not only that, it is expandable to 120G bytes. Can your Windows desktop do that?  And it includes a DHCP server so you can allocate IP addresses to all the PCs on your LAN.

Installation of the EFG80 EtherFast Instant GigaDrive was quick and easy. You can attach it to a single PC for an external disk, or put it on your LAN by linking it to a wiring hub.

Administration is straightforward. You provide the system’s network name, set the time zone and decide whether to allow standard FTP access. Users can connect as guests with full access to all defined disk shares, or you can add users and set aside private disk areas for each.

The EFG80 can be configured to send e-mail alerts to two addresses when there’s low disk space or drive failure. If you hang the EFG80 on the public Internet, users can connect via FTP or any Web browser. Using the browser, clients can download files, but not upload them. FTP allows both and provides security by assigning FTP users to private directories.

For the full report, go to https://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/reviews/2003/0120networker.html