Hard Drive & Storage - News & Reviews

NetGear SC101 Storage Central

NetGear SC101 Storage Central looks like a small toaster and comes without any drives. In other words it is just a hard disk enclosure with built-in disc controllers and networking features. It is best suitable for individuals, small businesses and homes that wish to store and backup files, music, photos and games in a networked location with multiple computers. Storage Central functions like a local disk drive but without requiring a dedicated PC. With NetGear SC101 Storage Central you have an option to choose your own hard drives; you can install one or two IDE / ATA hard drives configured as RAID mirroring and then attach it to your network. Well the capacity of the SC101 depends on the size of the hard drives you choose; however maximum capability is slotting two hard drives into the case.

Installing the hard drives: The procedure to install the hard drives is very simple. Turn a coin-slotted screw in the front panel, remove the panel completely and then slide in the drives. If you’re using two drives, you just need to change the jumpers so that one is configured as the master and the other as the slave. The device comes with an excellent setup sheet and user guide to assist in the installation process.

Like other NAS Servers, NetGear SC101 Storage Central is not accessed via an IP address, but you need to install the Storage Central Management Utility software from the included CD on each computer you wish to have access to the SC101. The included software only supports Windows. After you attach the power cord and run an Ethernet cable to your router install the Management Utility software on the network that you want to be able to share the drive. Once that’s done the drive appears with a proper drive letter for easy access.

Features:

• Easy to use and offers expandable shared network storage for all your home’s PCs
• Shareable without dedicated PC.
• Simple installation with Smart Wizard Installation Assistant
• Maximum number of drives: 2 IDE / ATA drives from any vendor.
• RAID Levels supported: RAID 0, RAID 1.
• Accessible from only Windows Machine.
• Shared storage type: Network Access Server.
• Interface type: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet.
• Network Protocols: IEEE 802.3.
• Networking type: Network adapter – Integrated.
• Expandable shared network storage for all your home’s PCs.
• Backs-up and secures critical files by automatically synchronizing with PC’s hard drives.

Drawbacks:

• The case lacks a fan and passive cooling could be a problem with faster hard drives.
• Accessible from only Windows machine.

Comments:

With NetGear SC101 Storage Central add the storage capacity you need to share and backup your valuable digital content; music, games, photos, videos, and office documents—instantly, easily and securely. The device is easy to use and install. It automatically detects and backs-up valuable PC files. I was really amazed with its good look, head line features, web interface and the ability to plug in any IDE / ATA hard drive. SC101 cannot be used with Mac and Linux as it only works with Windows machines. NetGear SC101 Storage Central is best suitable for individuals, small businesses and homes that wish to store and backup any data in a networked location with multiple computers.