Years ago, a 100MB hard disk drive might be considered "more space than you'll ever need". Today there are systems with terabytes of storage, and people are able to fill them! It is not only important to have enough space, but it is becoming increasingly desirable to share the files with the other computers on a network. You can address this by either setting up a separate computer to act as a file server or by purchasing a stand alone, network attached storage (NAS) unit.
Geeks.com has provided us a stand alone network attached storage device manufactured by TelStar. This unit uses a 3.5" IDE hard drive to provide an external storage solution via an Ethernet or USB 2.0 connection. Let's take a look and see how this unit holds up as a home file server.
Before taking a look at the unit provided for review, let's look at some published data on the TelStar TLD-3500 Network Attached Storage Enclosure...
Features / Specifications:
» Network Direct Attached Storage Enclosure
» Silver aluminum construction
» Supports 3.5" IDE ATA 100/133 hard drives (not included)
» 250 GB max hard drive size
» USB 2.0 connection
» LAN 10/100 M connection (RJ45)
» Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, Aggregation
» No IP configuration needed
» Power and Link/ACT LEDs
» Regulatory Approvals: CE
Packaging:
The TelStar TLD-3500 arrived packaged in a retail style box. It provides ample information for the consumer to know what the device is capable of. The front, back, and one of the sides of the box are identical, showing the device and listing several features of the device. The final side shows the specifications, as well as showing how it can be setup for use.
 
Opening the box, we get our first look at the TLD-3500 NAS device. The main portion of the unit is held in place by slots in the cardboard insert, which did well to protect the unit during shipping. The power supply and cable are on opposite sides of the unit, with the other accessories stored below the cardboard insert. The packaging appears to be sufficient for shipping, as all components arrived undamaged.
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