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[NAS_user]

I have just ordered a DNS-321. I am still waiting for its arrival. I just want to use it to share files between computers in my home network (all Windows XP with NTFS). As a start , I'll only have a 1T byte drive in the unit. I only have limited NAS knowledge. It would be greatly appreciated if some one can help me on these questions
1. I think I can start with 1 drive just for file sharing, right?
2. I've read some forum entries. I must format the drive in EXT2 or EXT3 format. I assume the DNS321 have some magic build in which allow all my WINXP PCs to read and write to the NAS drive and I do not have to install any EXT2 or EXT3 drivers on my XP boxes, right?
3. I am not sure what firmware level is shipped with the box. Should I upgrade it to the latest firmware 1.03 before I install the HD in it?
4. When I have the budget for my next 1T drive and decided to use RAID for availability (I think this is what RAID can provide). Do I have to reformat the existing drive and start from scratch. I am looking for advice to avoid painful migration in the future.

Any other advice for a new user will be very welcome.

[gunrunnerjohn]

1. you can run it with one drive.
2. You indeed must use EXT2/EXT3, this is a Linux based box.  There is no issue of file format when accessing the files from Windows, the file system is transparent over the network.
3. Yes, upgrade to 1.03 before you do anything with the box.
4. You should be able to do this, but be aware people have had issues and lost all the data on the first drive in the process.  Remember, RAID is NOT backup, you need to have a backup of your files anyway.