ARGOSY - HD363N - Network Storage

[HalRogers]

There is a difference between file closing on a drive connected on
Windows platform (all of the examples that worked) and a file closin
across a network to a different operating environment (SAMBA)

There may indeed be a simple fix in SAMBA to deal with windows app
that do not close files the way Word, UltraEdit, Excel, and othe
apps do it

Windows does not have a single standard for closing files, which i
nice I suppose, it gives the developer flexibility to choose th
standard instead of following a single one.

The reason for the problem is related to the allocation of file spac
in chunks. There are always extra bytes at the end of a file, in th
same cluster, so determining the end of file has to follow either th
ASCII standard (an EOF "MARK") or the binary standard (setting th
filesize in the directory entry). The extra bytes used to be used b
some developers to stick extra code on the end of an EXE file, the
close the file and alter the directory entry to a new size, leavin
the extra bytes on the disk, but they would not get copied if th
user moved the file rather than re-install it (since COPY honors th
filesize in the directory when determining when to stop copying)

The errors noted are all fixable if the directory entry is changed t
reflect the actual number of bytes in the usable content of the fil
-- notice the errors reported are always due to extra character
appearing AFTER the expected END OF FILE. Bytes that are on the disk
but should not be read into the application, but ARE read in becaus
the filesize is wrong

Yes, it would be nice to see this fixed, but it's being caused by th
way the files are closed and the directory is (not) updated

As to problems with DVD ISO images

DVD-R ISO images may exceed the 32-bit FAT limitation of 4 GB (o
thereabouts). Microsoft describes the FAT-32 limitations for fil
size as "You cannot create a file larger than (2^32)-1 bytes (this i
one byte less than 4 GB) on a FAT32 partition" - since DVD images ma
be more like 4.7 GB, it's possible that you are exceeding the FAT-3
limit

Ha

 

[fixuser]

Hal

There is a difference between file closing on a drive connected o

Windows platform (all of the examples that worked) and a fil closin
across a network to a different operating environment (SAMBA)

Yes I know. That's why I also included results referencing a 'fil
server' and the 'Linksys NSLU2 NAS' in my previous posts. But,
didn't make that very clear in presenting details about it

The NSLU2 is a network attached storage device that's running a linu
kernel with samba. It can support disks formated with EXT3 (nativ
to the device), FAT32, or NTFS (a new addition to its abilities).
I've been running this device on my network for a few weeks now. I
I edit a text file stored on the NSLU2 using Notepad (or OpenOffice)
I cannot create the same issue that occurs on the Argosy/Tritto
device. And, I've tried this with disks on the NSLU2 formated t
EXT3, FAT32, and NTFS. So, with this network device running Linu
not causing any issues, why should Notepad have a problem with th
Argosy/Tritton devices ... again, I believe its problem in the fil
storage on the device, not the Notepad or OpenOffice programs

And, following up to:[quote:cfcc62c488]As to problems with DVD IS
images:[/quote:cfcc62c488] I don't believ
[b:cfcc62c488]segbert[/b:cfcc62c488] was implying he copied an imag
of the DVD to the NAS, but more so the contents of the DVD to the NA
... suggesting he had lots of files on the DVD like I had described i
the issue

[b:cfcc62c488]segbert[/b:cfcc62c488]
Thanks for checking that out ... very helpful!

 

[fixuser]

Well, I've given up on the Argosy/Tritton device

Even with the latest 06-1013 firmware release, I've not been able t
get a reliable file server. I've waited patiently for 6 months, bu
cannot wait any longer to get a good file server up and running.
Thus, I've returned to investigating other devices available, an
have now setteled into using the Linksys NSLU2

The NSLU2 has matured over time, and now supports EXT3, FAT32 and NTF
disk formats. The security features of the device (password protecte
storage, user allocated space, for example) cannot be used with FAT3
and NTFS formats; all the data is public on these types of disks.
But, this is the first NAS device I've seen that can both read an
write FAT32 and NTFS

I will caution that performance with NTFS disks is not as good a
FAT32 and EXT3

I've seen many postings on the internet complaining about disk
formatted to EXT3 being useless to PC users. Well, I've found tw
EXT2/EXT3 drivers for Windows that work very well. I've had n
issues reading and writing to EXT3 disk on my PC. So, I have n
concerns all the features of the NSLU2 with EXT3 formatted disks. I
I need to work with those disks, I can easily

Everything I tried to do with the Argosy/Tritton devices I have bee
able to do with the NSLU2 ... including keeping my Outlook *.ps
files on the network. I've been running with my *.pst file on th
NSLU2 for more than a week now without a single issue

The NSLU2 is slightly slower in write speed, and comparable in rea
speed. Given how the NSLU2 has been able to do everything I wanted
this slight speed loss it trivial in my eyes

dilettante you may be interested to kno
that others (at www.nslu2-linux.org) have been able to load
slimserver onto the NSLU2 ... FYI

As for the XBox users out there, I believe the NSLU2 properly support
SMB and works with the XBox. If not, I have seen someone at th
nslu2-linux group post about adding a package to the NSLU2 to wor
specifically with the Xbo
Lin

I image I'll still check back in now and again ... don't know why, bu
maybe after trying my best and contributing what time I could, I'
curious if they ever live up to their potential

Good Luck everyone

 

[eds]

fixuserwrote
Well, I've given up on the Argosy/Tritton device

Even with the latest 06-1013 firmware release, I've not been able t

get a reliable file server. I've waited patiently for 6 months, bu
cannot wait any longer to get a good file server up and running.
Thus, I've returned to investigating other devices available, an
have now setteled into using the Linksys NSLU2

The NSLU2 has matured over time, and now supports EXT3, FAT32 an

NTFS disk formats. The security features of the device (passwor
protected storage, user allocated space, for example) cannot be use
with FAT32 and NTFS formats; all the data is public on these types o
disks. But, this is the first NAS device I've seen that can both rea
and write FAT32 and NTFS

I will caution that performance with NTFS disks is not as good a FAT32 and EXT3

I've seen many postings on the internet complaining about disk

formatted to EXT3 being useless to PC users. Well, I've found tw
EXT2/EXT3 drivers for Windows that work very well. I've had n
issues reading and writing to EXT3 disk on my PC. So, I have n
concerns all the features of the NSLU2 with EXT3 formatted disks. I
I need to work with those disks, I can easily

Everything I tried to do with the Argosy/Tritton devices I have bee

able to do with the NSLU2 ... including keeping my Outlook *.pst file
on the network. I've been running with my *.pst file on the NSLU2 fo
more than a week now without a single issue

The NSLU2 is slightly slower in write speed, and comparable in rea

speed. Given how the NSLU2 has been able to do everything I wanted
this slight speed loss it trivial in my eyes

dilettante you may be interested t

know that others (at www.nslu2-linux.org) have been able to load
slimserver onto the NSLU2 ... FYI

As for the XBox users out there, I believe the NSLU2 properl

supports SMB and works with the XBox. If not, I have seen someone a
the nslu2-linux group post about adding a package to the NSLU2 to wor
specifically with the Xbo
Lin

I image I'll still check back in now and again ... don't know why

but maybe after trying my best and contributing what time I could
I'm curious if they ever live up to their potential

Good Luck everyone

you've been a great asset to this forum and your hard work has helpe
me a lot. Sad to see you go.

BTW - how much was that Linksys NAS? Where did you buy it

 

[segbert]

Yes. I was referring to copying many files from a DVD-R to the NAS i
one operation. The smallest file was a few bytes, and the largest wa
in the range of 1/2 gig

fixuser

I was initially also looking at one of the Linux based NASes (not th
Linksys one, but I don't remember exactly). The Tritton/Argosy ha
the inherent drawback that it would not handle >4gb files, but
review of the Linux one mentioned it would not handle file name
containing spaces. I never put spaces in my names, but a lot o
Windows stuff I might want to put out there does, especially M
stuff, so I thought this was a deal breaker. (Plus I found my Tritto
on sale at Fry's for $50 after rebate) Will the NSLU2 handle spaces i
names

I personally would be interested if you did report back on you
experiences with other units. I like my two HD363N type units ver
much, but I don't feel confident yet using them for working storage
such as the local copy of a web site, which gets edited a lot. I'
going to hang in a little while longer, and in any event I can alway
use them as simple file servers for bulk data storage. However, I ma
eventually be willing to invest in a somewhat more expensive devic
to house working data

 

[HalRogers]

I bought two more HD363N cases and the latest ones seem to have
quieter fans, much quieter. Not sure if they were using sleeve
bearing fans and switched to ball bearing types, but there are ball
bearing 25x25x10mm fans available for less than $5 so I bought some
and the shipping was about $7 for the batch of fans.

My primary use of the devices is to setup FTP servers. The HD363 lets
you setup ports other than 21, which is helpful, and it supports both
Anonymous and Username/Password access, which isn't supported by some
SOHO NAS devices.

As to all the messages about EOF problems, it would be helpful to have
a list of applications that don't work. A list of apps that DO work
include Word for Windows, WordPad, Ultraedit, Edlin, Edit.

If you have Notepad, you have Wordpad. Try the "open with" Wordpad, do
the experiments described for Notepad, and you will find that the
filesize is correctly reported, and none of the extra characters
appear at the end of the file as they do in Notepad (because Notepad
file close doesn't cause the directory filesize to be updated).

Excel also works fine. Create a worksheet with 200 rows of 2 columns,
the row number and lots of Asterisks, save it. Close Excel. etc
etc.,
you will find that the directory entry (in the file properties)
properly reflects changes in the filesize, and inserting, deleting
rows does not produce the problem seen with Notepad.

I think the file closing problem is a Windows application issue as
much as anything, and using Notepad for editing text files --- well,
there are better text and other editors, that work correctly.
Notepad, unfortunately, isn't a very capable text editor and it
clearly has problems.

Hal

 

[segbert]

RE: Nois

Note that the way to create a siren is essentially to have a fan blo
through slots. Each time a fan blade sweeps past a slot, it emits
pusle of air. Do that fast enough, and the pulses add up to a whine

Once I get a chance, I'm going to pop the fan out and cut out th
funky fan grill slots in my generic HD363N. This will leave a hol
about the size of a quarter where the fan is, instead of a bunch o
little slots, but it should mostly eliminate the whiney part of th
fan noise. It wil
also invalidate your warranty. Where I put my NAS, there should no
be a problem with people sticking their fingers in the fan, so a fa
guard is not really needeed

I have two NASes. I put an old (4 years) 20 GB drive in the first one
It makes a noise like a coffee grinder whenever the drive is spinning
Can't hear the fan whine at all. I put a new Segate in the other one
Can't hear the drive at all, just the fan whine. So the dirv
loudness is a major factor with this unit, and it is probabl
worthwhile to get a newer drive with fluid bearings if the driv
noise is a problem

 

[segbert]

What's the deal with the forum posting multiple times

I hit reply, logged in, composed my message, and hit submit
I saw a typo once I saw it in the forum, so I clicked edit, fixed it
previewed it, and submitted. I've done this a bunch of times befor
without multiple posts. This time, the EDITED version is poste
twice, once as segbert, regular user, and once as segbert, guest. Th
original version does not show up, where I spelled will as wil in "i
will also invalidate your warranty". It did take an enormous amoun
of time to submit the edit, but I specifically did NOT click on th
submit button more than once, because I did not want to create
double post

Anyway, sorry for the double post

 

[eds]

edswrote
[quote:b5288ba03d]fixuserwrote

Well, I've given up on the Argosy/Tritton device

Even with the latest 06-1013 firmware release, I've not been abl t
get a reliable file server. I've waited patiently for 6 months

bu
cannot wait any longer to get a good file server up and running.
Thus, I've returned to investigating other devices available, an
have now setteled into using the Linksys NSLU2

The NSLU2 has matured over time, and now supports EXT3, FAT32 an
NTFS disk formats. The security features of the device (passwor

protected storage, user allocated space, for example) cannot be use
with FAT32 and NTFS formats; all the data is public on these types o
disks. But, this is the first NAS device I've seen that can bot
rea
and write FAT32 and NTFS

I will caution that performance with NTFS disks is not as good a
FAT32 and EXT3

I've seen many postings on the internet complaining about disk
formatted to EXT3 being useless to PC users. Well, I've found tw

EXT2/EXT3 drivers for Windows that work very well. I've had n
issues reading and writing to EXT3 disk on my PC. So, I have n
concerns all the features of the NSLU2 with EXT3 formatted disks. I
I need to work with those disks, I can easily

Everything I tried to do with the Argosy/Tritton devices I hav bee
able to do with the NSLU2 ... including keeping my Outlook *.ps

file
on the network. I've been running with my *.pst file on the NSLU
fo
more than a week now without a single issue

The NSLU2 is slightly slower in write speed, and comparable in rea
speed. Given how the NSLU2 has been able to do everything

wanted
this slight speed loss it trivial in my eyes

dilettante you may be interested t
know that others (at www.nslu2-linux.org) have been able to load

slimserver onto the NSLU2 ... FYI

As for the XBox users out there, I believe the NSLU2 properl
supports SMB and works with the XBox. If not, I have seen someon

a
the nslu2-linux group post about adding a package to the NSLU2 t
wor
specifically with the Xbo
Lin

I image I'll still check back in now and again ... don't know why
but maybe after trying my best and contributing what time I could

I'm curious if they ever live up to their potential

Good Luck everyone

you've been a great asset to this forum and your hard work has helpe
me a lot. Sad to see you go.

BTW - how much was that Linksys NAS? Where did you bu
it?[/quote:b5288ba03d

this forum is screwed up. that last post was not mine

 

[brady4747]

Check out this link about notepad issues, especially number 4:

http://blog.natbat.co.uk/archive/2003/Jul/22/NotepadBugs

Sounds kind of like the bug y'all are experiencing, and I am pretty
sure he didn't have an HD363N. BTW, notepad has lots of bugs

 

[brady4747]

My personal experience with this device has been good, but I have had
to learn to use it within its performance parameters. It is a nice
device at a cheap price, but it will never be able to serve up all of
your files to use in your various apps like excel, word, quickbooks,
etc daily. I think many of you are expecting far too much out of a
sub-$100 device. This thing is nothing more than some some storage
available online. Some of you here seem to want a file server and I
wholly encourage you to set up an old win95 or linux box to do that for
you. You will get much greater performance. Try an ebay search for a
"dell gx110 SFF" put a bigger hard drive in it, install FreeNAS or
NASLite or Openfiler on it and voila, great file server with oodles
more power than this device for about the same price.


That said, here are a few things I have figured about using this
device:

1. Don't put a bunch of small files on there. Because of the large
cluster size, I was using more than twice the necessary space to save
all of the samll emailed images from my d-link door cam. I solved this
issue by using procmail to decode the mime attached jpgs and add them
to a gzip archive with the date as filename and then move the archive
to the nethdd nightly.

2. Don't perform functions on more than about 400 files at a time on
the device. The low memory of the device causes performance to really
slow when copying, pasting, deleting more than a few hundred files at
once. Although inconvenient it is much faster to do these type
operations in batches.

3. Avoid situations requiring you to list the entire contents of large
folders on the device. This is due to the small amount of memory as
well. Most everything I put on there is serially named or named with a
datetime which would be known, so I can fetch just that file whenever
necessary.

4. Avoid using files or folders with very long or specially charactered
names or multiple extensions. I tend to think this is a good practice
on any computer, but on such a limited device it is necessary.

5. Avoid creating elaborate folder structures. Maybe this is memorey
related too, but if you have a buttload of folders with a buttload of
subfolders, you will have problems viewing them all. They are all there
if you access them directly, but if you try and browse to them, you
might not see them. I use 6 top level folders only with only files
under that.

Again, I have to say, this device has been great and stable for me for
nearly a year now. I have not lost any data. I updated firmware once
when changing to a larger drive in it.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[brady4747]

Oh yeah, one more thing, performing some operations seems to be much
faster over ftp than if you are browsing using nautilus or Explorer

 

[benjamintm]

Does anyone know how to fix a bad flash? I flashed my NAS and no
when it powers up, it almost immediatly powers down

Thanks
Be

 

[dilettante]

brady4747wrote
Check out this link about notepad issues, especially number 4

http://blog.natbat.co.uk/archive/2003/Jul/22/NotepadBug

Sounds kind of like the bug y'all are experiencing, and I am prett
sure he didn't have an HD363N. BTW, notepad has lots of bugs :

I'm not seeing any of these "bugs." I can reproduce th
NotePad-demonstrated problem with HD363Ns using my own programs. I
is a bug in the NAS firmware, of that I have very little doubt now

 

[Quest]

vgear released a new firmware a few days ago. (V 024
http://vgear.com/cs/support/downloa...7-001&SubID=AMVG1-017-001&PName=V-Gear+LANDIS

New Feature
1. Data is displayed by multi-language under Windows XP
2. The Hostname and Group name is restricted to 15 bytes


Fixed Issues
1. Firmware sometimes will destroy the Hostname and Group name t default value
2. ARP bug
3. DHCP Server auto start when disable and link down then up
4. MAC OS X Tiger 10.4.3 or above can't login issue
5. NT4 SP6 samba issue

best regard
Ques

 

[fixuser]

As per Argosy's warranty: Argosy does not warrant that the operation
of Argosy products will be uninterrupted or error free. If Argosy is
unable, within a reasonable time, to repair or replace any product to
a condition as warranted, you will be entitled to a refund of the
purchase price upon prompt return of the product.

Given that I feel waiting 6 months for a properly working unit was a
reasonable amount of time, I pursed getting a refund for my HD363N.
Well, I've been talking with Argosy since late November, and as of
today they have been true to the statement in their warranty ... I
have received a full refund for the unit.

Argosy themselves did not provide the refund, instead they worked with
the store from where purchased it so they would provide the refund.

Either way, I was pleased that they honored the warranty as stated.

 

[fixuser]

In response to some of the inquiries regarding my notes about th
NSLU2

1. I purchased mine at zipzoomfly ... it was between them and Newegg
but zip had free shipping at the time. (If you are also interested
the external enclosure I'm using with the NSLU2 is the Rosewil
RX30-U2FA purchased at Newegg ... you can see my comments there.)
paid about $80 for it. Then there's the cost of the externa
enclosures on top of that, so it does add up a bit. But, I've foun
it all worth it after considering the amount of time and effort tha
went into the HD363N

2. The device has no issues using paths or directory names wit
spaces. In fact, some of the default directories it creates includ
spaces

Some remaining overall comments

Everything I had wanted to do with the HD363N I have now been able t
do with the NSLU2. Every single issue discussed in this thread doe
not happen with the NSLU2. So, I'm convinced that the HD363N ha
some issues unique to itself, and my system/network is fine

The fact that the NSLU2 supports EXT3, FAT32 and NTFS file systems ha
made it a little more versatile

When I first began looking at NAS devices, I was not interested in an
devices using a file format that could not be read from a Windows PC.
If I wanted to move large amounts of data to or from the drive,
wanted to be able to hook it up to the PC directly and not have t
deal with long network file moves. And, if anything ever went wron
with the NAS device, I wanted to be able to read the data on the NA
disk to recover it.

At the time, there were no NAS units that supported NTFS, so tha
meant I was looking for a NAS with FAT32 file system. (There is th
issue with FAT32 that it cannot support files over 4 GB, but for m
personally that wasn't a big deal as I currently already limit mos
of my large files to be less than 4 GB so they can be burned to a DV
if needed.

Well, I've come to learn I was probably a bit naive in m
understanding of the EXT2/EXT3 Linux file systems. I've come t
learn that a Linux EXT2 file system driver for Windows, a
http://www.fs-driver.org/, works very, very well. I have not had
single problem using it in over 2 months now

As such, I'm now running the NSLU2 with the EXT3 file format, and a
able to easily move files onto and from the drive when connecte
directly to the PC via USB or Firewire (I have a dual optio
enclosure) using the Linux file system driver

FAT32 is not the best if you have a wide range of file sizes, as I do
Given the default cluster size is so large, a lot of disk space ca
be wasted. With NTFS and EXT3, this is managed much better

The NSLU2 had not problems reading disks formated with EXT3 and FAT32
However, even though it has recently added support for NTFS, I stil
had difficulties move large files (> 100 MB) from the NSLU2 to th
PC over the network

The NSLU2 can be overclocked (as discussed on other user groups).
have overlcocked mine and found it responds rather well. Funn
thing, the issue with moving NTFS files I mention above went awa
after overclocking the unit

I get very good data rates ... NTFS is the slowest (a little slowe
than the HD363N), FAT32 next (on par with the HD363N) and EXT3 is th
fastest (about 10 - 20 % faster than the HD363N). The resulting dat
rates don't affect my thoughts too much, because once I start movin
data over the wireless network, it becomes the limiting facto
anyway

When I started using the HD363N, I had high hopes for it. Especiall
seeing support coming from both Argosy and Tritton. But, my outcom
is such that I'm sorry I wasted so much time trying to get it t
work

My experience with the NSLU2 has been very different, and as such
decided to post this outcome in case others continue to stuggle wit
the HD363N so that you might have some input as to othe
possibilities, without having to configure your own PC file server

I also like the built-in backup feature of the NSLU2, which I hav
enabled so the files stored on the first are regualarly backed up t
the second ... without any PC on the network running

I would not consider the NSLU2 simple to setup. I has features that
will require some learning. It use Linux at work, so I'm a little
more comfortable with the idea of shares, users, and groups. But,
for those coming from the HD363N, you'll probably have to play around
with it a little more to get a good understanding of how it operates
... specifically referring to how access to files is granted/denied.
But, from what I've seen of most persons posting in this thread, I
think you'd be able to work it out just fine.

One thing I specifically do NOT like about the NSLU2 is that it does
not support communication to the NTP time server, you have to
maintain the clock on the device yourself. Not a big deal, but it
would be helpful for maintaining accurate file timestamps between
machines operating on the network.

Good Luck to ALL!!

 

[Odie Ferrous]

As per Argosy's warranty: Argosy does not warrant that the operation
of Argosy products will be uninterrupted or error free. If Argosy is
unable, within a reasonable time, to repair or replace any product to
a condition as warranted, you will be entitled to a refund of the
purchase price upon prompt return of the product.

Given that I feel waiting 6 months for a properly working unit was a
reasonable amount of time, I pursed getting a refund for my HD363N.
Well, I've been talking with Argosy since late November, and as of
today they have been true to the statement in their warranty ... I
have received a full refund for the unit.

Argosy themselves did not provide the refund, instead they worked with
the store from where purchased it so they would provide the refund.

Either way, I was pleased that they honored the warranty as stated.

I honestly cannot believe you are *still* going on about this piece of
shite.


Odie

 

[Odie Ferrous]

In response to some of the inquiries regarding my notes about the
NSLU2:

1. I purchased mine at zipzoomfly ... it was between them and Newegg,
but zip had free shipping at the time. (If you are also interested,
the external enclosure I'm using with the NSLU2 is the Rosewill
RX30-U2FA purchased at Newegg ... you can see my comments there.) I
paid about $80 for it. Then there's the cost of the external
enclosures on top of that, so it does add up a bit. But, I've found
it all worth it after considering the amount of time and effort that
went into the HD363N.

2. The device has no issues using paths or directory names with
spaces. In fact, some of the default directories it creates include
spaces.

Some remaining overall comments:

Everything I had wanted to do with the HD363N I have now been able to
do with the NSLU2. Every single issue discussed in this thread does
not happen with the NSLU2. So, I'm convinced that the HD363N has
some issues unique to itself, and my system/network is fine.

The fact that the NSLU2 supports EXT3, FAT32 and NTFS file systems has
made it a little more versatile.

When I first began looking at NAS devices, I was not interested in any
devices using a file format that could not be read from a Windows PC.
If I wanted to move large amounts of data to or from the drive, I
wanted to be able to hook it up to the PC directly and not have to
deal with long network file moves. And, if anything ever went wrong
with the NAS device, I wanted to be able to read the data on the NAS
disk to recover it.

At the time, there were no NAS units that supported NTFS, so that
meant I was looking for a NAS with FAT32 file system. (There is the
issue with FAT32 that it cannot support files over 4 GB, but for me
personally that wasn't a big deal as I currently already limit most
of my large files to be less than 4 GB so they can be burned to a DVD
if needed.)

Well, I've come to learn I was probably a bit naive in my
understanding of the EXT2/EXT3 Linux file systems. I've come to
learn that a Linux EXT2 file system driver for Windows, at
http://www.fs-driver.org/, works very, very well. I have not had a
single problem using it in over 2 months now.

As such, I'm now running the NSLU2 with the EXT3 file format, and am
able to easily move files onto and from the drive when connected
directly to the PC via USB or Firewire (I have a dual option
enclosure) using the Linux file system driver.

FAT32 is not the best if you have a wide range of file sizes, as I do.
Given the default cluster size is so large, a lot of disk space can
be wasted. With NTFS and EXT3, this is managed much better.

The NSLU2 had not problems reading disks formated with EXT3 and FAT32.
However, even though it has recently added support for NTFS, I still
had difficulties move large files (> 100 MB) from the NSLU2 to the
PC over the network.

The NSLU2 can be overclocked (as discussed on other user groups). I
have overlcocked mine and found it responds rather well. Funny
thing, the issue with moving NTFS files I mention above went away
after overclocking the unit.

I get very good data rates ... NTFS is the slowest (a little slower
than the HD363N), FAT32 next (on par with the HD363N) and EXT3 is the
fastest (about 10 - 20 % faster than the HD363N). The resulting data
rates don't affect my thoughts too much, because once I start moving
data over the wireless network, it becomes the limiting factor
anyway.

When I started using the HD363N, I had high hopes for it. Especially
seeing support coming from both Argosy and Tritton. But, my outcome
is such that I'm sorry I wasted so much time trying to get it to
work.

My experience with the NSLU2 has been very different, and as such I
decided to post this outcome in case others continue to stuggle with
the HD363N so that you might have some input as to other
possibilities, without having to configure your own PC file server.

I also like the built-in backup feature of the NSLU2, which I have
enabled so the files stored on the first are regualarly backed up to
the second ... without any PC on the network running.

I would not consider the NSLU2 simple to setup. I has features that
will require some learning. It use Linux at work, so I'm a little
more comfortable with the idea of shares, users, and groups. But,
for those coming from the HD363N, you'll probably have to play around
with it a little more to get a good understanding of how it operates
.. specifically referring to how access to files is granted/denied.
But, from what I've seen of most persons posting in this thread, I
think you'd be able to work it out just fine.

One thing I specifically do NOT like about the NSLU2 is that it does
not support communication to the NTP time server, you have to
maintain the clock on the device yourself. Not a big deal, but it
would be helpful for maintaining accurate file timestamps between
machines operating on the network.

Good Luck to ALL!!

No - good luck to *YOU*.

Sheesh - all the time you've spent whingeing about trying to get
sub-standard products to work in a manner in which only high-end units
work - I await with fascination your comments and discussions about this
new NSLU2.

Crikey - cut to the chase. You want something decent - you spend decent
money on it. Simple.

What a total, utter waste of time.


Odie

 

[fixuser]

For anyone interested, here were some performance numbers I recorded

HD363N
Write = 37-40 Mbits/
Read = ~29 Mbits/

NSLU2 with EXT3 file system
Write = 34-35 MBits/s (bursts upto 41-43 Mbits/s
Read = 47-48 MBits/

NSLU2 with NTFS filesystem
Write = ~34 Mbits/
Read = ~27 Mbits/

In each case above, the NSLU2 is overclocked (to 2x clock speed a
supplied by Linksys)

These are based on mounting a drive from a PC across the network t
the NAS device. Different speeds were observed using FTP, but
never wrote those down