Advice for buyers: The ideal NAS solution
Every year each of us generates more and more data with our thousands of digital photos, holiday videos and collections of our favourite music. Our everyday electronic companions, smartphones and digital cameras constantly help us fill the available storage capacity at an ever increasing rate. In small and medium-sized companies, too, the data mountains are growing. Customer databases, digital folders and the paperless office generate dozens, if not hundreds, of Gigabytes of files that need to be stored for easy and rapid access. And then there's the issue of security.
The simplest way of storing files in Windows, for instance, is normally on the local hard disk – often on the desktop or in the "Pictures", "Documents", "Music" or "Videos" libraries. Everyone has their own system for storing data. But how can you ensure that you don't lose this content in the event of system malfunction or damage?
According to a survey conducted by Shuttle in July 2013, most users perform data backups at more or less regular intervals. External USB hard disks or USB sticks are frequently used for this purpose. Despite this fact, almost one-third of all users have suffered data losses at least once. The most common cause reported were hardware problems (e.g. a defective hard disk). These problems normally happen at the most inconvenient time – for instance, long after the last backup took place or on a data storage medium on which data backup has not been set up.
The solution couldn't be easier: a permanently available data storage medium on the local network – NAS (Network Attached Storage). These devices provide storage space for all wired and wireless users on the network. PCs and Macs, notebooks, smartphones, tablets, games consoles and even smart TVs are able to access a NAS system. Plus, mobile access is also possible via app or browser.
Once a NAS system has been set up, data protection can be ensured either by regular manual copying of important content or by means of automatic backup software (e.g. Acronis). In the software the data source and destination as well as a backup cycle can be defined. With regular data backups the user is now protected against any emergency.
As a central data storage system, NASes also offer enhanced convenience. Once data is available at a location accessible to all network users, it can be shared. All family members can, for instance, access the digital photo album or the joint music collection while in the office the most recently updated forms and documents are available to all colleagues. We share text, pictures and video clips on social networks. Why shouldn't we also share content on secure company or family networks? You can define precisely who has permission to access which data.
As well as sharing data, it is also possible to share a USB printer connected to the NAS on the network, thus making it available for use by several people. This saves resources and ensures a better cost-benefit relationship.
Times of having external hard disks and USB sticks as storage media seem to be at an end. Flexible network storage systems on local networks offer contemporary data storage solutions – with Gigabit speed and permanent availability.
Shuttle OMNINAS products
Attractive NAS solutions from the Mini-PC expert - an overview
These quiet 2-bay data storage systems with an aluminium chassis for enhanced cooling are particularly user-friendly. If you are looking for an entry-level model with basic functions, the KD20 is the machine for you. Users with high performance requirements should opt for its powerful brother, the KD21 or even the top-of-the-range model, the KD22 with an integrated Wireless LAN hotspot. Boost your data security at home or in the office and benefit from access to your data wherever you are. Shuttle OMNINAS – your own, personal Cloud.
We help you decide - all models at a glance
| KD20 | KD21 | KD22 | |
| Supported HDD/SSD | 2x 3.5" or 2,5" | 2x 3.5" or 2,5" | 2x 3.5" or 2,5" |
| Maximum storage capacity | 8 TB | 8 TB | 8 TB |
| RAID modes | 0, 1, Single, JBOD | 0, 1, 2x Single, JBOD | 0, 1, 2x Single, JBOD |
| Processing power | 2x 750 MHz | 1 GHz | 1.2 GHz |
| Performance speed (R/W) | 75/55 MB/s | 100/70 MB/s | 110/75 MB/s |
| USB | 1x 3.0, 2x 2.0 | 2x 3.0, 1x 2.0 | 2x 3.0, 1x 2.0 |
| Network | 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet | 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet | 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet |
| SD card reader | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wake-on-LAN | Yes | Yes | |
| Energy-efficient Ethernet (802.3az) | Yes | Yes | |
| Wi-Fi access point (Hotspot) | Yes | ||
| Intuitive user interface | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| File sharing | SMB/AFP | SMB/AFP | SMB/AFP |
| FTP server | Yes | Yes | |
| DLNA server (Twonky) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BT download client (.torrent) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) | Yes | Yes | |
| Printer sharing in LAN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Backup via ... | USB, NAS to NAS | USB, NAS to NAS | USB, NAS to NAS |
| Autocopy | USB, SD card | USB, SD, camera | USB, SD, camera |
| Mobile access by app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| File access via browser | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous server services | Yes | Yes | |
| Acronis backup software | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supports "Time Machine" | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online firmware update | (as Download) | Yes | Yes |
| 2x HDD in single mode | Yes | Yes | |
| ON/OFF time schedule | Yes | Yes | |
| LED/fan (ON/OFF) | Yes | Yes | |
| Energy consumption | 9 - 15.5 Watt | 9.6 - 19 Watt | 9.6 - 19 Watt |
Errors and omissions excepted.
