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Linksys NSLU2 Network Storage Link

By Brian Nadel, CNET.com on 20 October 2004

Linksys's NSLU2 is an inexpensive way to add a hard drive or two to a network, but its slow response makes it a poor all-around solution.

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Linksys NSLU2 Network Storage Link Brian Nadel, CNET.com 20th Oct 2004 Linksys's NSLU2 is an inexpensive way to add a hard drive or two to a network, but its slow response makes it a poor all-around solution. Linksys Network Adaptors Linksys NSLU2 Network Storage Link Linksys's NSLU2 is an inexpensive way to add a hard drive or two to a network, but its slow response makes it a poor all-around solution.

• Good: Supports two USB storage devices.
• Bad: Low throughput • Product must reformat new drives • Lacks support for printers, optical drives, and some hard drives
• Specs: USB1.0/1.1/2.0 • See more specifications
• RRP: AU$229.00

Photo gallery: Linksys NSLU2 Network Storage Link

The Linksys NSLU2 Network Storage Link functions as an adapter for your network, letting you connect and remove USB flash and hard drives as needed. It works with a variety of off-the-shelf USB hard drives and flash memory keys, but unfortunately, the NSLU2 is as slow as molasses when it comes to moving files around.

The Linksys NSLU2 contains an embedded Linux-based file server that, together with the NSLU2's hardware, lets you connect a pair of USB drives to an Ethernet network. Powered by an Intel 267MHz XScale processor, the NSLU2 works with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux networks. But we were disappointed to discover that when you connect a drive for the first time, the NSLU2 insists on formatting that drive, destroying any data you've stored there. This happens only the first time you use the hard drive with the NSLU2.

	The Linksys NSLU2 can be connected to various USB drives.

At about the size of a small paperback book, the gray-and-silver NSLU2 will blend into most office decor. Four LEDs up front let you monitor connections to the Ethernet port and any attached hard drives. The rear panel contains two USB 2.0 connectors, an Ethernet port, and a reset button that returns the unit's IP address and password to default settings. The package includes a tiny AC adapter, a network cable, and a CD, but you'll have to provide the extra hard drives.

The Linksys NSLU2's handy printed quick-installation guide walks you through the setup process. The software on the accompanying CD runs automatically when the disc is inserted, scanning your network for the Network Storage Link from a connected Windows PC. Once it finds the Linksys NSLU2, the software configures it for use on your network. If you want to use a flash memory key with the NSLU2, you'll need to load a special utility on all PCs to map the drive. We were able to use the NSLU2 to connect a variety of USB drives, including a Maxtor 160GB OneTouch hard drive, a USB-to-Secure Digital adapter, and three different memory keys. The NSLU2 balked at connecting with our IOGear Ion USB 60GB external hard drive, and it can't be used to connect a printer or an optical drive.

In time trials with an IBM ThinkPad R50, a Hawking 100Mbps router, and a Maxtor 160GB OneTouch drive, the NSLU2 was capable of writing and reading at only 10.1Mbps and 12.4Mbps, respectively -- about one-tenth the drive's speed when connected via a USB link and about one-third the pace set by our Editors' Choice winner, the Buffalo LinkStation, which has a built-in 120GB drive, as well as two USB ports that can be used to connect both an additional hard drive and a printer.

The NSLU2 is covered by an adequate one-year warranty, but the Linksys Web site offers a cornucopia of downloadable support material, including drivers, firmware updates, and manuals. There's also a helpful LinkChat section for conversing with a technician, plus troubleshooting tips and a complete knowledge base. The company provides e-mail support and toll-free phone support 24/7 for the life of the product.

Topics: network, linksys, usb, storage link, nslu2, linksy, drive, connect, hard drives, link

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  Deryk gave 9/10 on 09/01/2009 00:37 Report abuse

  I have had this running for ages now and have 2 drives(500gb adn 320gb) attached which are not required to be formated so I can attach these to my laptops/pcs etc easy. A very good product as far as I'm concerned and will be a part of my media network until it dies.

  • Good: Easy to set up and use
    Does NOT require EXT2 formats of attached hard drives
  • Bad: Possibly a little slow to FTP to
• 

  Ajm1955 gave 2/10 on 25/10/2007 16:26 Report abuse

  Too slow and doesn't support Vista. Also primary disk cannot be swapped to a PC USB connection as the format is not compatible.

  • Good: Cheap
  • Bad: Disk format of primary disk is incompatible with Windows.
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  Steven gave 3/10 on 09/10/2007 19:14 Report abuse

  It is a good idea, but it is not a good product

• 

  mms gave 3/10 on 06/10/2006 17:38 Report abuse

  unreliable

  i wish i could get a refund

  • Good: when it works.. it does.. but slow
  • Bad: painful to set up, download the new firmware before you get going.
    crashes and requires restarting often
    
• 

  Anonymous gave 3/10 on 24/09/2006 23:57 Report abuse

  Extremely slow and generally uncooperative

  I store a lot of music and video on my external HD, in addition to office type files. When I connect to the HD through this link, it takes ages just to find the contents of each folder, especially those for music and video. It takes ages to delete anything from them as well. Also, transferring files from one external HD (plugged directly into the computer) to the linked external HD was extremely slow; 7 hours to copy no more than 100GB. I am sure it would not have taken that long if I had been able to plug both HD's directly into my computer, but I am fairly certain (although I can't find explicit confirmation of this anywhere) that once you format your external HD for use with the link, you can't ever plug it directly into your computer again, which, had I know that and about the initial drive formatting required, plus how slow it is, I would never have bought this product. I wish I could get my money back.

  • Good: When it actually works, it's somewhat useful.
  • Bad: Hugely frustrating to use, extremely slow, and makes you format your external HD when you first hook it up. Also, no instructions for set-up with a mac.
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  Anonymous gave 4/10 on 20/09/2006 12:48 Report abuse

  Had troubles accessing it from the internet.

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  Anonymous gave a review on 25/02/2006 03:55 Report abuse

  Difficult installation

  Difficult installation, poor functionality. Get an ASUS wl-500g deluxe instead

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  M0les gave 1/10 on 10/01/2006 17:07 Report abuse

  Cool hackable network storage box

  Even in "out of the box" configuration, this is a nice piece of hardware. The standard Linksys firmware allows for widely supported SMB/Samba file sharing. The EXT2 format of the disks supports the relatively straightforward permissions system configurable through web interface.
  
  If you re-flash with the Unslung firmware, it effectively becomes a very low-power/cost server that can deliver-up a plethora of network services.

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  Jon Cliff gave 1/10 on 19/09/2005 17:58 Report abuse

  Latest firmware supports FAT 32 and NTFS

  So there are no problems with the old format - which was straight Linux anyway, not a prorietary format. But the best thing about this device is that you can hack it...(Google "Unslung"). It's easy, and it becomes a full Linux server.
  I run a UPNP music/Image/Video server (Twonky Vision) serving two Netgear MP101 music clients and manage the files with iTunes. Many people use it to host home web pages etc...

• 

  Anonymous gave a review on 16/08/2005 17:49 Report abuse

  not worth reformatting

  unfortunatly once you re format to the nslu2 format and save all your information if the device fails you have to buy another or you cannot access your file by just plugging the storage drive into your pc or laptop. I am currently looking for another device which alows the hard drive to be plugged into either the storage device or my laptop with out any complicated formatting.