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[P01arBear]

Well, I guess this is probably not even a vital question to the D-Link team, but...

Some people have bought the DNS-323 for media usage, like storing pictures and videos. Having a DNS is interesting for the extra storage space, but...For people who don't use the bittorent thingy addon and such, what more does it do?

I see my DNS and sometimes, I just wonder if it's a sitting duck. I'm not interested to use fun_plug, but I've seen that they can do pretty nice things like hosting a small website - Don't get me wrong, I will never install something that isn't official released by D-Link. I Don't understand why D-Link hasn't brought out something similar and official? Even if it was beta...

Just for an example, you could create an addon that could use a specific folder and host a small, simple and homemade website? Like a photo-album? Personnaly, I think this would totaly change the way I see my DNS. I mean, ftp server is not bad...But some people are complete zero's on PC and don't have a clue how to access it, how do you want to share pictures with them?

Some competitors offer alot of these options for the same price (such as the Synology DS110j)...I was even thinking of selling my DNS to get one. I like D-Link's stuff, I've got a pretty good network of their stuff. But I think it's time bring out some media friendly addons for this beast. We're in 2010, technology as evolved and I think these days such a piece of equipment should offer maybe a bit more functions.

If you tell me that a web hosting addon is on the way before next year...Needless to say I'd be pleased and would think twice before selling it. I just want to know if it's a dead end.

[jamieburchell]

Presumably you knew what the device did before you purchased it? It does everything it was originally designed to do and it does it well. Dlink has also delivered further enhancements free of charge, which is fantastic. To make the box in to something it's not, like a web server, dillutes the main focus of this product- which is an affordable Network Attached Storage device.

From a business point of view it's also not viable for Dlink to continually dream up new uses for it for free. You wouldn't buy a car and keep asking the manufacturer to add features to it for free. Also from a marketing point of view it starts to loose focus- what is this product? Yes, given the nature of the product it can be made to do more, but should it? Where does it stop?

[P01arBear]

I was expecting such a comment.

So you're telling me, we've got a piece of equipment sitting here that is capable of doing more then now, but we shouldn't ask for it? I don't understand that logic. Add a piece of code into it, and you just gave it another utility.

That's like selling me a PC and saying I can surf the web...But not use photoshop or office while the hardware is capable of running them.

[gunrunnerjohn]

That's like selling me a PC and saying I can surf the web...But not use photoshop or office while the hardware is capable of running them.

Sure you can, and you have to buy Photoshop so someone makes some money.  What you're asking is for all that functionality to be added to the box for free!

If you really want all of that stuff, buy a Synology for twice the money, it has a very complete feature set, and it cost me $299 instead of $130! 

[P01arBear]

Actualy, I've been shopping;

Price of DNS-323 at most stores in Canada (See THIS retailer)- 200$
CPU 500mhz
RAM 2x32mb
Features include basic ftp, storage, bittorent.

Price of Synology DS110j  at most stores in Canada - 170-200$ (see THIS retailer)
CPU 800mhz
RAM 128mb
Features include advance ftp, storage, web hosting, firewall (controls anti-hammering wich DNS doesn't do), shared encrypted folders, emule, bittorent, photostation, audiostation, itunes server, mail server, surveillance station, download station, usb single button copy and alot more. All in a easy web interface that people can log onto from distance.


For the same price, the Synology has twice the hardware power and software...Sorry, but the DNS doesn't offer nearly as much.

I bought the DNS because I usualy like D-Link's products. Since the addon module was added, I was hopping it would give us more, but right now it's not the case.

The DNS has the hardware and software to be able to run other stuff, such has a light web host server. Why walk when you can run?

[gunrunnerjohn]

Well, you do skip over the fact that the Synology you mention is a one drive unit and doesn't offer RAID-1.

I have the Synology DS209, 1200mhz processor and 256mb of memory.

Please note that many folks are running a web server using fun_plug.  If it's that important to you, that's the route I'd take. 

I bought the Synology for the speed, it's access speeds are 3-4 times the speed of the DNS-323 and approach the speeds of another computer sharing the files.

[jamieburchell]

So you're telling me, we've got a piece of equipment sitting here that is capable of doing more then now, but we shouldn't ask for it? I don't understand that logic. Add a piece of code into it, and you just gave it another utility.

You can ask but you shouldn't expect. Yes there are more features on the Synology, but they are advertised as having them. That's the difference. They've also got better hardware specs which opens more opportunities. Part of the natural progression. Yes, I like new features in firmwares, but anything added is a bonus IMO.

Apart from development cost considerations, it's rarely that simple to 'add a piece of code'. There is a process involved and that costs money.

[P01arBear]

Indeed, now I agree.

And that is why I'm asking.

@gunrunnerjohn: Yeah, I heard of fun_plug but I don't know how it works and was wondering if it can dammage the firmware. Isn't like a sorta hack?

[gunrunnerjohn]

Well, it's "sort of a hack", but it isn't likely to damage the hardware.  Now, when you move into the advanced uses, it can well "brick" the unit if you're screw up.  For simple stuff it's pretty safe.

Obviously, adding stuff like this isn't supported by D-Link for obvious reasons.  If they get stuck supporting 3rd party add-ons, it could get very expensive.  Just too many configurations to try to understand.

[ttmcmurry]

I believe P01arBear has a good point.  Both Synology & Netgear are running circles around D-Link at the moment with their NAS offerings. 

Let me be fair, over the last 4 years I've bought a DNS-625, a DNS-655, a DWA-652, a D-Link 8-port gigabit switch, and a DNS-323.  A lotta cash has been sent over to D-Link's way.

As time has moved on, I've noticed D-Link hasn't kept up with their competition and the only market for the 323 seems to be aimed at the low-end now.  That may be D-Link's angle, I don't know and I cannot speak for them.

What I can say with certainty is a product refresh is very necessary.  There has been no news of any new DNS-style models coming out, nor any real captivating features or anything to keep up with what other vendors offer.  I *want* D-Link to catch up.  But at the rate they offer updates, I fear nothing special or good is coming out anytime soon.

Heck, I've already ditched both my DIR routers for a Netgear WNDR3700 and am amazed at what it can do, how much better (read: faster & more reliable) the same laptops are with it, and the feature set for the price (it's cheaper than a DIR-855).  Synology is my next target for a NAS -- and it has 10x faster read speeds than the 323, not to mention the feature set.

So.. I'm not as huge a fan of D-Link as I once was, but I feel I owe a balanced point of view on this topic.  The 323 is perfect for a low-cost, 2-bay, simple feature set.   It's remarkably slower than the competition, it doesn't have the most features, of the features it has some are dated (or don't work as they ought) and in some cases impractical to use.  However, the 323 is utterly reliable and simple to use.

[jamieburchell]

Perhaps they should introduce an "upgraded" model for those customers who want more bells and whistles- but for me, I want a simple, reliable NAS and this fits that criteria.

I'm not interested in running Torrents or add-on packages nor hosting a website or making the tea. That's also why it was one of the cheapest NAS boxes around when I purchased it. If the absense of those things makes the box "low end" then that's fine by me.

[sport404]

I agree 100% with ttmcmurry's statement above. I also was once a big link fan starting back in roughly 2005. Over the past few years though I feel they aren't keeping up with the competition. To  be honest their firmware releases for the DNS series and DIR series has been somewhat questionable. The amount of bugs and the long time frame to fix them if at all has pushed me towards other vendors now.

[P01arBear]

Come to think of it...I don't even understand sometimes why new features aren't created as an addon.

DNS-323 already has "GoAhead Web Server" integrated in it's firmware, it could probably also be used to host a simple HTML personnal web page...

GoAhead Web Server Overview

The GoAhead WebServer is a fast and efficient standards-based Web server designed for cross-platform support. While WebServer is designed for embedded devices it is nevertheless a fully functional web server and its use is not limited to embedded devices. WebServer's small foot-print and efficient design make it well suited for a wide range of applications.

WebServer is offered for use under two licenses: a royalty free license is available as well as a commercial license.

Download WebServer 2.1.8

Feature Overview

General
    * 60K memory footprint
    * Standards compliant
    * Open scripting architecture
    * Only dependant on standard C runtime library.
    * Compatible with GoAhead's Embedded Management Framework.

Dynamic Content
    * ASP (not Microsoft IIS compliant)
    * In-Process CGI
    * Traditional CGI support (Most OS Platforms)
    * Embedded JavaScript
    * Open scripting architecture

Protocols and Standards
    * HTTP 1.0
    * Persistent connections (consistent with HTTP 1.1)
    * Security via HTTP 1.0 basic encoding
    * 65 connections per second

Security
    * HTTP/1.0 Basic Encoding Security
    * Secure Socket Layer (SSL) v30 (RSA implementation)
    * Digest Access Authentication (DAA)
    * User management (user level Directory access control)

This is...ALREADY IN DNS-323!? What must I say more?

[cklassen]

basically it sounds like, if you don't like what d-link offers, go somewhere else. that's not a good/real business case. won't make people want to buy nor stay with d-link, and therefore there goes the business.

good job guys!

guess i should start thinking about moving my business else wheres; doesn't hurt me though.....

[gunrunnerjohn]

basically it sounds like, if you don't like what d-link offers, go somewhere else. that's not a good/real business case. won't make people want to buy nor stay with d-link, and therefore there goes the business.

good job guys!

Please explain to me what company doesn't operate the same way?