SMEs looking for a NAS with solid performance, ease of use and upgradeability will find the powerful Dell 725N has plenty to offer.
Dell's Powervault 725N is a network attached storage (NAS) device that space-starved administrators will love. The AU$5,469 entry-level Windows-powered network storage appliance runs on a fast 2GHz Pentium 4 processor and packs a whopping 480GB of hard disk space for users to share. But it's the device's expandability, easy operation and strong data-protection facilities that make it such a good choice for users looking for a robust workgroup NAS solution.
The 725N comes in a versatile 1U rack-mountable metal box with a removable chassis and front-panel. A screw secures the 725N's chassis and the front panel can be propped open for users to access internal components such as CPU, memory and hard disks. The components are upgradeable and users get to choose between affordable trimmed-down or higher-priced souped-up configurations. Our test unit was a Pentium 2.0GHz (upgradeable to 2.6GHz) model equipped with 512MB of memory (upgradeable to 3GB) and four 120GB IDE hard drive units for a total 480GB capacity. The drives are hot-swappable so you simply pull them out and replace them with spare ones in the event of disk failure. However, the drive replacements and other upgrade components are only obtainable from Dell.
Other notable features include an impressive array of connections like dual fast (100Mbps) and gigabit (1000Mbps) Ethernet connections, PS/2, USB, VGA and a serial input for configuring the 725N directly with a keyboard and monitor. Three powerful but noisy fans help keep the storage device cool during its daily operation.
In addition to the usual paperwork, Dell provides users a single power cord and Cat-5 cable for linking the NAS to an Ethernet network. Documentation comes in the form of a written user manual (in four languages including English and Chinese) and illustrated quick start guide to assist network administrators in setting up the NAS in ten steps. Three utility CD-ROMs are also supplied, each containing system resource software, support documentation and the NAS's backup operating system.
Unlike some Linux-based NAS systems we've seen, the Dell runs on an embedded full-version of Microsoft's Windows 2000 server operating system (OS). The OS is network-optimised for a variety of protocols including TCP/IP for PCs and AppleTalk for Macs so anyone with an administrator account and Ethernet connection can simply log on to the 725N's Web-management console to alter device settings.
Installing the Dell NAS was a straightforward affair: With the Windows 2000 server operating system already pre-installed, all we had to do was to plug the 725N into our CNETAsia local area network (LAN) for the device to be recognised. Most of the 725N's configuration settings are done via the centralised Web manager using browsers such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The Web-based menu system allows users to configure almost every aspect of the Dell's network functions, from creating/editing disk volumes to setting-up user permissions. In addition, the robust Windows 200 server OS keeps tabs on other important network information such as user logs, RAID/drive status, traffic load and total drive capacity of the NAS.
Advanced controls like RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) configuration and drive management services are accessible only via Windows Terminal Services or with traditional command-line interfaces like Telnet, which administrators can use to logon directly to the 725N. Apart from the host of security and administrative functions, the Dell 725N's redundancy offers data protection for network administrators and users: Support for RAID levels 0, 1 and 5 comes standard--RAID-0 creates a single logical drive of 480GB while RAID-1 mirrors a drive but halves the storage space. Automated scheduled backups to hard disks or external tape drives are also supported. The Windows server's flexible image capture facility also allows users to backup their personal contents and then restores data back to a certain point in time.
Using standard LAN connections, we took 30mins to set up a 30GB RAID-1 mirrored NTFS volume. In our throughput tests, the Dell averaged 4.2MBps for a 900MB file transfer across a fast Ethernet connection.
Dell backs the 725N with a one-year onsite warranty including parts and labour, but enterprise buyers needing extra technical support and expertise can opt for the company's extended warranty plan (AU$556.60) which covers the NAS for an additional two years.
SME administrators suffering from severe storage shortfalls should consider the well-endowed Dell Powervault 725N network attached storage device. For AU$5,469, you get all the bells-and-whistles of a standard Windows 2000 server, including RAID and hot-swappable drives, plus onsite support and a lengthy warranty.
Dell PowerVault 725N NAS
Company: Dell Australia
Price: AU$5,469
Phone: 1800 812 393
8%
1%
