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Not too long ago, we looked at the Thecus N5200 storage server system. We liked the N5200 (very much), but felt it might be a bit overwhelming for the typical home user. Enter the Thecus N3200, a NAS system with much of the functionality of its bigger brother, but targeted at the home or small business user. At least, that's what we were told. Is it true? Let's find out!
First, however, a quick refresher in that which is NAS.
In its most basic form, the NAS system is exactly what its acronym implies: a Network Attached Storage system. The physical NAS system is often referred to as a “NAS box” or “NAS Device”. You can think of NAS as a stripped down data server on a local or wide area network. It's a computer system that holds a large amount of data securely and makes data accessible to authorized users on a network. Unlike a data server, NAS access is typically restricted to a network and services are very basic (i.e., no web service, game server, or additional intranet service). Also unlike a data server, the NAS device is usually only directly accessible through the local network (no keyboard or monitor hook ups).
Until a few years ago, the NAS box was seldom, if ever, seen in a home or small business setting. Most home and small business users did little data sharing, many had no local network, and the size and value of most data files was not such that disk space and simple backups couldn't handle it.
Times have changed. Home networks sporting multiple computers or computer like devices are common. The commercialization of home end user data (think legitimate video and music downloads) mean some data files now have a monetary value associated with them. Home users have more reason than ever not only to share their files along their network, but also to secure them.
Features
The N3200 comes with nearly everything one needs to get going with NAS. The package includes the NAS box, software CD, power brick, Quick start guide (not shown), warranty card, and Ethernet cable (nice include!). While the quick start guide is certainly enough to get you going, there is also a 90 page manual on the CD (and it's worth a read).
Looking a bit closer at the NAS box itself, we find three ventilated drive bays. These are not "quick swap" bays, but a bit they are hot-swap bays, and really, they are not that hard to swap. Three drives means RAID 0,1,or 5 if you would like, and that's important. Remember, this device is designed to securely handle data – RAID goes hand-in-hand with that function. What you will not find as part of the Thecus package are hard drives. These are supplied by the end user. That's actually a good idea. You know how picky we all are about particular brands and models of drives. Further, you get to pick how many (up to three), and what size drives you want to spend your hard earned sea shells on.
The N3200 also sports a front USB port, activity LEDs, an LCD information screen, and a set of simple controls. During operation, the LCD screen updates service status every three second, as well as being the selection screen for the front panel controls.
Looking on the back end of the Thecus N3200, we see LAN and WAN (wide area network) hook ups, another USB port, an eSATA data port, DC power in, the 120mm cooling fan, a reset button, and a slot marked as an expansion port (discussed below). The USB ports allows one to hook up external drives and expand the N3200 capabilities, or drop data from a drive (or thumb drive) to the NAS disk(s). These features, taken with those of the front panel, show the N3200 as more than a basic NAS box. And, all of it is stuffed into a 8”x7”x7” box!