Question 1

Does this unit come with the hard drives or is it simply an enclosure?

Accepted Answer

this is simply an enclosure.  You can pick up a couple of drives cheaply though and it is a snap to install them yourself.  That's the beauty of using a system like this.  it writes to two drives simultaneously and if one of them ever fails, you just swap it out with a new one.  since the data is being written redundantly on two drives, it will instantly make a copy of everything on the new drive you insert.  It takes a little bit of doing to get it set up via your ethernet, but no complaints with mine.

Question 2

Wht kind of networking it provides for multiplle PCs and Macs at home? wire and wireless?

Accepted Answer

I am not sure what you mean by "network" but I have ours attach to a Verizon wireless router. I'm able to view the Discs from a PC connected to the router, a wireless PC, a wireless iPad and a wireless Android phone. I am also able to print to a laser printer from the wired PC, the wireless PC, iPad and Aandroid phone. One of the disc in the Buffalo unit is being used to store family pictures and videos. I am able to send links to pictures and videos to family and friends when I wish to share files.  I have also set up one of the areas on the NAS so my children can upload pictures and videos directly without using email. Hope this helps!

Question 3

Can this be used with any size SATA drive?  Spec sheet lists 1, 2, 3 TB - not sure if I should interpret this as compatability or the sizes available when you purchase it with drives installed.  I am replacing an existing enclosure and want to retain my existing pair of 500 GB drives.

Accepted Answer

I am not sure if the disk-less version of this device will work with your existing 500 GB drives.  Buffalo offers a supported drive list on their website.  You might see if your existing drive is listed in the document or is compatible with any of the drives listed.  If you are unable to use the existing 500 GB drives directly in the unit, you can connect the drives to the device via a USB connection using an external enclosure.  Of course this option would require the purchase of a new drive(s) for use in the disk-less Linkstation or purchase a disk-included version of the Linkstation.

Question 4

Does it support the Seagate 4TB NAS HDD (ST4000VN000) at the SATA 6Gb/s speed?

Accepted Answer

Yes it should support that hdd.  I just installed two Seagate 4tb drives in raid 1.  They are not the nas version you speak of, but it should work no problem.  As far as the 6gb/s speed goes, it wont really matter if you get 3gb/s or 6, the fastest transfer speed I have seen on it over my net work is around 70Mb/s.  Hope this helps.

Question 5

Is this NAS capable of running two 4TB HDD's? If not what is the maximum capacity? According to the website; they say 2TB, 4TB & 6TB. Is per drive?

Thanks

Accepted Answer

I have two LS-WVL/E units and both have (2) WD RED 2TB drives per system running RAID 1. That makes 2TB available for use. My first enclosure came with firmware 1.62 and the second came with 1.65. The 1.65 addressed issues that included 4TB hard drives on the external USB port. If you read up on the 1.65 firmware update you find all the issues they addressed. I think they're great boxes and plan on buying a third. BTW: Buffalo offers 24/7 telephone support.

Question 6

Can i password protect data ?

Accepted Answer

I'm sorry, but I use my system for my personal use so I do NOT use passwords for files BUT I'm NOT sure if that is what you were asking about.  The system has the ability to create permissions that are only accessible if you know the user name and password.  For example, I have created folders that can only be accessed by knowing the user name/password.  For family, I share user name/password that can only assess a “family” folder.  For friends, I have a different folder, “friends” with a different user name/password.  For business communications, I have yet another folder, “Bus”, user name/password setup.  This protects the complete folder including all of the files in the folder so only those that I share the user name/password can access the files in the specific folder.  If you were interested in password protecting a file in the folder then I have NO experience so I can NOT help you.  Not sure if this is a help or not but good luck.

Question 7

How does remote access work? Will it appear as a mounted drive even when I'm away?

Also will it play nice with my Airport Extreme?

Accepted Answer

This unit appears as a standalone device on your network, as long as your network is active the device will work (no CPU requirements).  Remote access is done either through FTP or webpage based interface (accessed through buffalonas dedicated website).  The remote access is very easy to setup and maintain.  I do not know if it will work with Airport Extreme.

Question 8

What kind drive I need for this LinkStation?
Look ingfor 2tb total storage with Raid 1
What will be cost?

Accepted Answer

You have multiple hdd options of course everything depends on your budget. A good value  is the Western Digital Red 2tb drive. These drives are specifically designed for NAS setups. Western Digital has just recently expanded the line with a Red Pro series. A 2tb drive is also available, these drive are a bit more expensive but you gain 2 more years in warranty, the RPM's go to 7400 vs 5400 on the standard Red series. 
From what articles I have read the Pro series was the Se version which was/is one of their enterprise series.
Either way you can't go wrong. I have a pair of 2tb Reds in a NAS for a year with not problems. Also have a 3tb I use for backup.

Good luck

Question 9

I have BUFFALO LinkStation Duo 2 in raid 0 can replace it with pro without format ?

Accepted Answer

I have removed the HDDs but from what I understand; I you remove the HDDs the machine will automatically format the drive once reinstalled.
Good luck

Question 10

Do you have free shipping for this item?

Accepted Answer

Hello,

Thank you for your interest in this item. You can calculate the shipping by adding the item to your shopping cart and entering your zip code. This will give you the shipping options and you can select what type of shipping would be best for you.

Thank you,
Newegg Support.

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