Intel Entry Storage System SS4200-E NAS Server w/ Intel Celeron 420 1.6GHz, DDR2 512MB & eSATA support

Pros: I researched over 20 different NAS boxes before deciding to purchase the SS4200. The hardware is incredibly well designed. The hard drives can be installed in minutes and other than fan blast at start up it is amazingly quiet. I was able to attach a HP printer directly to the SS4200. Hard drives must have a low level format performed on them prior to installation if they have been used in other systems. I also like the open design of the system which I think will allow me to tailor the box to my liking as different hacks become available. I would have given it 5 stars if the problem with the Raid 5 configuration and its corrective action were more readily available from Intel.

Cons: When I bought this there was only one review. I had a problem with the Raid 5 array build until I called Intel and found out I had to hold the reset button on the back while powering up on the front. Some units were factory tested with only 2 drives and this causes problems with 4 drive integration. Wish the other reviewer had posted before I purchased, it would have save me a headache.

Overall Review: I am hoping EMC releases an update that integrates a utility that allows scheduled backups to my external E-Sata drive. Even though 2 simultaneous drive failures are a low percentage occurrence I do not want to suffer through another data loss like the one that prompted me to purchase this unit. The Retrospect software bundled with the unit is only licensed for one computer so I am using FB Backup for my other two machines (free) It seems to have the same level of configuration and the price is right. I plan on purchasing and storing an identical HD in case I lose a drive in my Raid 5 array.

Pros: Nice inexpensive, unobtrusive box with 4 HD bays and all the hardware you need for a basic NAS or Windows Home Server. Supports 2T drives (I used WD green) in WHS.

Cons: (1) This is really Microsoft's fault because of their hardware specs, but to install WHS you first need to do a treasure hunt for parts (see other thoughts). Once you have them, the install is easy, and you don't need those parts again. (2) To get Intel's WHS Hardware Monitor working, follow the step-by-step WHS driver instructions from Intel's website. Don't rely on auto-install, because their are several I/O drivers compatible with this board, and you need the specific WHS versions. (3) The F6 drivers! How can it be that the latest and greatest SATA hard drive technology is completely dependent on a stupid floppy drive to install???

Overall Review: There are other ways to install WHS on this box, but I used the "hardware" route. That means I had to find (1) a usb keyboard and mouse, (2) a usb external floppy drive to install the F6 driver, (3) a usb external dvd drive (4) a 6" pci-e1x extension cable (cheap on e-Bay), (5) a pci-e1x=pci-e16x adapter, and (6) a spare pci-e16x video card. For the video card, I used an MSI made ATI 3450. It is small, fanless, and has rgb, dvi, and hdmi output (so you can use your TV instead of a monitor for the install!). Also, this card adapts to low-profile use, so the bracket can be removed, leaving the rgb connector dangling free on a short cable. The SS4200 has a suitable knockout near the eSata ports, so that it is possible to secure the video card in the fourth hard drive bay, with the pci-e cable to the motherboard and the rgb cable to the case. Voila -- the box now has a permanent vga port.

Pros: Writing this review after reading others. I've just purchased this device and it looks like people should have a few links for the config. Power point presentation on installation of WHS and config of advanced features of the device: http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/storagesystems/sb/helenacombinedcontentfinal_np.pdf Drivers and software http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/ss4200-e/index.htm Max Memory 2gb DDR2 (not necessary unless installing a server product) Processor Upgrades (not necessary unless installing a server product) E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz or 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Cons: None so far

Pros: Low Cost 3 Year Warranty! WHS Ready Gigabit Ethernet Plenty of USB and eSATA ports Backup every system in your home or small office and stream/share media Share printers (fax sharing available in WHS) *Possibly can run IOMEGA EMC Lifeline OS with some hacking HTPCUser's excellent review

Cons: ****There are no cons to this device, this is just a list of things that could be improved. This is a top of the line device offered at an incredible price. EMC Lifeline software might not be upgraded to the more capable 2.* version Installing WHS is not for beginners with this device You bring your own disks LEDs and RAID initialization could confuse people who do not read the manual Not small shiny and black No hotswappable bays No true hardware RAID

Overall Review: This NAS box is fantastic. I debated buying a HP Media box, an Acer EasyStore and this. I had 2 one tb drives waiting to be dropped into whatever I chose. The Acer is eye candy and comes with a drive and a nice price point + has hotswap capability. The HP offerings have great software and again drives are hotswappable. I settled on the SS4200-E because of a few things *3yr warranty (Acer and HP are 1yr) *Buying WHS myself (HP cripples its WHS OS so it can't backup WinServer systems) For the same money I got more control, more warranty and the same or more storage space. I have 4 wd caviar green 1tb drives in here. I originally just wanted the EMC software at version 2(with torrent support) and RAID 10 but since it does not look like Intel will be updating the LifeLine OS I went with WHS. Different companies take this same device and add WHS to it and a drive or two and charge 5 times the newegg price. *For a headless install of WHS via USB stick try wegotserved

Pros: 1) Cheap RAID-5 SATA w/ Gigabit Ethernet 2) Reasonable built in software including UPNP server 3) Reasonable performance - about 18-20MB/sec for RAID-5, can get faster on Raid 1/10. I'd like a little better, but for the price I can't complain, it is about the same that I hear people get from a Drobo but is 1/4 the price including NAS. 4) If you want to, I hear you can get WHS working on it. RAID5 is more important to me, and I don't feel like bothering with it, so I am sticking with the EMC software. 5) Supports 1.5TB hdd's even though it does not specify this. I am running 4 in RAID5 and it shows a usable space of slightly over 4TB.

Cons: 1) All HDD's must be the same size, even for RAID-5. Unlike a DROBO you can not mix sizes. 2) Software is almost too simple. 3) Software RAID-5, not hardware. This was expected. 3) Out of box firmware is garbage, and it tells you it is up to date. See my 'other thoughts'.

Overall Review: If you are sticking with the built in software, be sure to upgrade the firmware from this link http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=16295&ProdId=2910&lang=eng There is a upgrade page on the device that tells you that you are using up to date firmware, but it lies. I had all sorts of problems with not being able to copy files over 4GB in size. After updating it has been smooth sailing. Note that on Intel's forum they recommend using IE for this - firefox has problems.

Pros: Relatively small, pre-wired for 4 SATA drives, vibration reducing hardware used throughout, very quiet while running, easy admin management through I.E. or Firefox from any networked computer without any additional client side software. Guided setup was pretty simple once the install CD runs.

Cons: Install CD says "run install.exe if autorun doesn't work"... there is no "install.exe" on the setup CD. There is a setup.exe file in a subdirectory several levels deep- found it by snooping around the setup CD. Not great documentation on front LED lights- read "other thoughts" about the drive prep...

Overall Review: Critical issue- if you're using drives from an existing system, you must zero them out before use in the NAS. If you don't zero them out (all of the drives, not just #1)- the NAS won't boot. Use WD Datalifeguard (free app) to write zero's to the drive- quick zero fill option is ok. One of my four drives wasn't zero'd out and it prevented the NAS from booting. If your power LED just flashes blue on initial setup for 10+ min, then check your drives and fill em with zeros.

Pros: Easy install. RAID 5 Linux.

Cons: This was originally designed to run Windows Home Server, and Microsoft imposes a lot of restrictions on OEMs building devices for WHS, such as no VGA connector. BIOS defaults to booting from the first SATA drive (not the DOM), so drives have to be zeroed out before they can be used.

Overall Review: RAID configuration could be a little more full-featured, but that would probably take away from the just-plug-it-in ease of install. The processor is slow, but this machine runs a u-Clibc based Linux distribution, which doesn't require much processing power, so a faster chip would probably be overkill.

Pros: Cheap full system, just add drives. Installs other OS' as long as you do some research. Built like a brick, no cheapo case and parts here! The hard drive bays are silent rubber held, and easy to install. 4x hard drive spots.

Cons: If you plan on installing a different OS like WHS, it's hit or miss without a PCI-Express x1 riser cable and a pci-express video card laying around. Only 1 memory slot and it caps out at 2gb. Memory and processor are upgradable, but not by much. Built in gigibit lan does not support jumbo frames, and you're stuck with that.

Overall Review: For the buck fitty I spent on these, I bought two, I spent about 8 hours on them and got WHS installed by using no video card with a 2gb flash drive. Once installed you will need a windows system on the network to install the connector software to finish the WHS install. If you see your new server in the network on your windows PC, after the WHS is fully installed, remove the usb drive, place it in your windows PC and navigate to X:\WHS and double click the Setup.exe. It will find your server and take you through the rest of the setup process. Slipstream only SATA and network drivers into the SVR_2003 folder ONLY, not in the boot.wim. Quick summary: Slipstream drivers into SVR_2003 folder using vlite, replace SVR_2003 folder back into WHS install disc files, create qs.ini file then make a bootable usb and dump all files onto it. Hold reset button in, turn on keep holding reset button for 5 seconds, let go...wait an hour