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[marklyn]

First let me say that I really like my DNS-321 but I don't know if I like it enough, despite the problems and concerns I have, to keep it.
I have two Vista machines (new builds) that use the NAS configured with two new 500GB (7200rpm) drives (Standard/JBOD).  I also have gigabit adapter cards in both machines and my switch is also gigabit. I use volume_1 as my 'primary' data drive and volume_2 is strictly used to back up and sync critical files and folders (from volume_1).  All of my programs that use data files (outlook, excel, etc.) all 'point' to folders on volume_1.
The convenience of having a network attached drive to share common data files (instead of mapping to a computer that has to be 'on') is very convenient.
Here are my issues:
The obvious reboot and lose your permissions issue.  This is a tough one to get past.  No, I don't reboot the unit frequently; however, if I am experiencing a problem and I'd like to know if a re-boot clears up the problem, I don't want to be bothered with setting up permissions again.  It is a hassle and is very disconcerting when you have to always finagle a way to get back at your data.
Secondly, even with the NAS benchmark tester, I'm only getting an average of 5MB read and 3MB write rates.  Opening a file can sometimes be periously slow compared to the file being on your own hard drive.  I've upped the jumbo frame rate (switches support it/one computer supports this) and didn't notice any significant speed increase.  Most of the time, opening files/writing to files is acceptable, although slower than if it were locally, but the convenience of it being on a NAS somewhat negates that.

I have written to the D-Link tech support on these issues but never get a response.  I suspect that D-Link is putting their tech support energy in more mainstream products; understandable, but I have another week in which I can decide to return this and look for something 'better'.  I really want to keep these but I'm reading the same posts over and over on potential fixes.  I really don't want to change my disk configuration, I really do want a NAS that I can depend on.

Did any of you experience some of this doubt and what did you ultimatly do for your issues? Live with them or change something about your configuration that works better?

[BillGalbraith]

I have one of these units myself, and one set up for a friend. Neither is set up as a RAID device because it looked to be ****e to SERIOUS errors. You cannot do incremental backups by a job on the DNS, so I have to have a backup app running on each computer to push the incrementals to the DNS.

If I were to rate this unit on a 1-5 scale, I'd probably put it at a 2. I d not recommend this unit to anyone.

Bill

[djy8131]

I am having the opposite experience.  Once I set up RAID1, my permissions stay after a reboot.  I am having the problem that I can't use windows backup.  All in all, the machine is solid.  I get between 9-16 mb/s speed depending on file size.  (1gb network all the way around)  I use the WD 1gb black drives.

[marklyn]

I am having the opposite experience.  Once I set up RAID1, my permissions stay after a reboot.  I am having the problem that I can't use windows backup.  All in all, the machine is solid.  I get between 9-16 mb/s speed depending on file size.  (1gb network all the way around)  I use the WD 1gb black drives.

Can you shed some light on how you're getting faster speeds, like what settings you did.  Anything might help me.  What about access time when opening a file like Quicken, or Outlook or something on those lines?  Could it be that you're getting faster speeds because of the RAID 1 setup?

[djy8131]

It seems to depend on the file size.  Large files go fast.  (As I recall, the TCP payload size gets larger on big files allowing for potentially faster network transfers)  I also use a quad core PC and have certified the network with a fluke cable tester to cat 5e.  The one app that does not work well for me is Photoshop elements organizer.  I ended up keeping that on the local job and having the DNS automatically copy the pics to itself from my pc once a week.  Things like itunes work great.  9mb/s is probably my average speed

[marklyn]

I also use a quad core PC and have certified the network with a fluke cable tester to cat 5e.  The one app that does not work well for me is Photoshop elements organizer.   9mb/s is probably my average speed

I also have a quad core machine, in fact, my gripe about speed is that I paid dearly for a quad-core only to be slowed down somewhere else.  I understand network speed (even here at work) can be a little of a drag, but I was sure hoping to see much faster speeds than what I'm getting now.

[dlandon]

I have had my DNS-321 for about a month and overall I'm pretty pleased with it.  I use two 250 Gb drives in a RAID 0 configuration.  RAID 0 does offer some performance improvement.  I have not run any benchmarks, so I don't know the actual performance of the DNS-321.

I especially like the small footprint of the DNS-321.  I've read about some who use an old PC and dedicate it to NAS tasks.  I do not have room for another PC case.

I use the DNS-321 for:
- Media storage.  I've finally been able to collect my Music, Photos, and Movies in one central location.
- I stream Music and Home Novies to a Philips Streamium NP1100, an xBox 360, and workstation PCs.  All work well using WMP 11.  I use WMP 11 for streaming because I have more control over my media collection.  Things such as album Genre can be modified easily with WMP 11.
- FTP Server for remote computers to use for backup.  I currently have about six users on the FTP server.  It is used to back up critical data from several business and personal users to an off site location.
- Local PC backup.  I have local PCs set to do backups to the NAS automatically once a week.
- Common file location for all users to share files.

I backup the DNS-321 each week using a Western Digital USB Hard Drive.  This is stored during the week in a Bank Safe Deposit Box.

The only issue I have with the DNS-321 is with the permissions that disappear when the DNS-321 is reset or a saved configuration is loaded.  I don't power the DNS-321 off at any point and it is on a UPS so it should not shut down.

I'm confident that D-Link will offer a firmware fix to solve this problem on the next release.  Having been in software developnment for many years before starting a business unrelated to software, I can appreciate the issue of reproducing the problem so a fix can be deleloped.  Most of the issue with fixing these issues is reproducing the problem so it can be fixed.

The best thing we all can do is to offer as much information as possible on our own particular set up and how we are using the DNS-321.  The more information we can offer, the better for the DNS-321 firmware developers to find a fix.

[djy8131]

How do you do your backup of the DNS to the external hard drive?  (what software do you use)  I assume the hard drive is connected to a pc on your network

[marklyn]

I also have a quad core machine, in fact, my gripe about speed is that I paid dearly for a quad-core only to be slowed down somewhere else.  I understand network speed (even here at work) can be a little of a drag, but I was sure hoping to see much faster speeds than what I'm getting now.

I just tried the NAS benchmark tester on my quad-core box last night and discovered my Intel network card doesn't support jumbo frames.  I'm suprised that a new machine wouldn't have a built in networking card that supports jumbo frames, but, oh well.  On that machine I get about 6.5mb/s transfer speed average.
On my other machine, also with gigabit card, I can use the 4088 jumbo frames but not 9000 because it 'flakes' out and I don't always see my NAS folders.  At the 4088 jumbo frames, I consistently get 12.7mb/s one way (forget read/write) and around 9.5mb/s the other way.  Very pleased with that.

I'm still leary about the rebooting and losing your permissions thing and I'd feel much better if I felt certain D-Link will address this in a firmware upgrade but I can't seem to get them to respond on that.

[dlandon]

I use Genie Backup Manager on my laptop.  The USB drive is connected to the laptop.  Genie Backup puts an Icon on the desktop that will perform the backup.  I just plug in the USB drive and then click the Icon and let it run on it's own.  I do an incremental mirror backup which doesn't take long after the first time it does a full backup.