NETGEAR ReadyNAS Pro 2 (RNDP2000-100NAS) Diskless System Network Storge for Business

Pros: Easy Set up
Active Directory Capable
Expandable

Unit setup pretty easy, popped in to WD Red drives, picked the RAID and it took it from there.

Settin up shares a little wonky when using Active Directory. It shares to all users, then you have to declare users and groups you DONT want to have access. I pretty much just skipped the NAS permissions and just shared through the folder shares.

Seems pretty quiet.

USB3.0 for additional drives, another unit, and back ups

Cons: Little slow on write speed. Copying large folders/files, seems the best I can get is around 40~50mb/sec. Using both NICs set to teaming.

I feel I should clearify for anyone that does not know. In the description, it states RAID 0,1,5,10. You can not achive RAID 5 or 10 with 2 disks, so this unit alone CANT do RAID 5 or 10. Straight out of the box, best you can do is RAID 0,1 Little misleading in my eyes.

Pros: Solid build quality! Easy setup. Fast transfer speeds. ReadyNAS site has great information to help a newbie. If you are a newbie, do a little reading prior to setup and you won't have any issues.

Cons: Fan is slightly more noisy than anticipated, but not worth a star deduction.

Other Thoughts: Firmware update went smoothly, latest software worked with Win8 Pro. Initial set up with single WD Red 2TB, added 2nd matching HDD and the unit automatically set the NAS up as redundant RAID, (using default XRAID-2). Fortunately this is the setup I wanted, but would have preferred the option of the redundant RAID or expanded storage and not have the RIAD setup automatically.

Pros: Very impressed with online support, documentation and general useability. I was temped to buy some really low cost NAS from a Shell Shocker but started to read reviews. Then on the same day a deal for this one was going on with two 2TB WD Red drives. It was $100 more but it w as well worth it. The construction of the enclosure is good. You can hear the fan but it is not loud at all even when I'm rebuilding the RAID.

While the RAID was rebuilding I was getting about 33%-37% network utilization on a Win 7 64-bit going through two 1Gb network switches. Actual file write is around 40.3 MByte/sec, while the RAID was rebuilding.

Cons: The clearance with the right drive bay is narrower so you'll need low profile screw heads to clear the enclosure.

Be warned that any drive you stick in it will be AUTOMATICALLY converted for RAID. That means it gets blown off. That sucks but makes it very simple for the less technically inclined (newbies).

Other Thoughts: There recommendations of changing on board fan
with a quieter one. There is automatic variable speed fan control.

Pros: Overall, extremely easy setup as the user interface is created for a user with limited to virtually no tech knowledge needed. There is an easy "wizard" based setup or a more complicated "Advanced Mode".

Online, there is an abundance of manuals and support documentation and user forums at their readynas.com website.

These 2 were actually purchased by myself for home use, but the reason I purchased them was due to the fact that we have been using the ReadyNas Duo's for file servers in all of our smaller offices and we use their business commercial rack products in our larger offices that have accounting hubs. The only failure's we have had over the many years in our work environment has been the Hard Drives (self provided), not the units themselves. When we have had a HD problem, we just ship one to the branch office, plop out the old one and put in the new one. No muss no fuss.

The primary use for these two Pro's will be to replace the whs2011 that I previously had, which I liked the folder (which is called shares on the Pro 2) and the user setup menu's and controls for same. I get one for myself and my wife/kids get the other one for their things. From the looks of it, some good iOS fule support and iTunes functions (for the girls...)

The customer support is incredible for NetGear. Since I had to fiddle around and ask some questions late at night, NetGear uses two groups of support teams that I was involved with on my questions, one in San Jose, Calif. and one in Ireland, read 24 hour tech support. These guys are top notch, quick, and courteous. Quite frankly, I wish some other tech companies we deal with would follow their model.

I'm able to use their recommended 3TB HDrives, that so far are giving me more than enough space that I need.

Cons: None so far.

Other Thoughts: If you purchase any of the diskless models, be SURE to check out their website and query or call these folks to make sure you get an approved/tested Hard Drive Make and Model. It will eliminate any potential hardware conflicts or support issues.

As stated earlier, I've had these for only a couple of weeks, but NetGear's other products on my corporate side, we've been using for years without a problem.

Also as stated above, if you do have any setup problems, call or use their excellent support services they have.

I'm Happy :)

Pros: Fairly easy setup. Recognized my 3TB WD red drives and NO firmware update was necessary. Setup up some shares for me, some for my wife and its great. Very fast....

Cons: ALOT of options so it can be overwhelming but if you just start with some simple things and want to save your picture forever... its great

Other Thoughts: I wouldnt buy without a UPS... it works great but i have alot of power issues around here which have hurt my computers. It uses 4% of my 600watt UPS so about 24 watts.... after i had $700 in this NAS... protect it