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LaCie 2big Network 2 - 4TB
| MARCHANDS | € |
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| Amazon marketplace | 367.00 | ||
| Amazon marketplace | 435.67 | ||
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| Caractéristiques | |||
| CPU / RAM | N.C. / N.C. | ||
| Bays (2.5/3.5'') | 2 (no / yes) | ||
| Empty enclosure? | no | ||
| Network | 1 x 1000 Mbit/s | ||
| Ports: USB / eSATA / FireWire 400 / FireWire 800 | 2 / 1 / 0 / 0 | ||
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| Server: Print / Web / Photo / Audio | yes / no / yes / yes |
| Supports USB webcam? | non |
| Downloading: BitTorrent / eMule / FTP / HTTP | yes / no / yes / yes |
| Dimensions | 9.1 x 20.5 x 18.4 cm |
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Vincent Lheur
Translator: Catherine Barraclough
Test date: November 3, 2010
Translator: Catherine Barraclough
Test date: November 3, 2010
Noise Output & Power Consumption
With 25 W consumed while the drives spin but are inactive and 29 W used in write mode, the 2big Network 2 falls well within the average power consumption for an NAS. It does, however, use quite a bit of power on standby, guzzling almost 8 W. Plus, we had some trouble waking it from its slumber when it fell into Sleep mode, and we actually found it easier just to let the drives fall into their regular standby mode with a stable power consumption of around 22 W.
This NAS isn't so easy on the ears. We recorded a noise level of 37.1 dB in a room with a base level of 32.3 dB. Bearing in mind that the intensity of sound doubles with every 3 dB, it's safe to say that this NAS won't go unnoticed, even more so because the frequency of its noise output is particularly audible. We therefore recommend you keep it somewhere out of the way.
This NAS isn't so easy on the ears. We recorded a noise level of 37.1 dB in a room with a base level of 32.3 dB. Bearing in mind that the intensity of sound doubles with every 3 dB, it's safe to say that this NAS won't go unnoticed, even more so because the frequency of its noise output is particularly audible. We therefore recommend you keep it somewhere out of the way.
After the fairly unexceptional 2big Network, LaCie is probably hoping this updated version will correct some of its predecessor's faults. One major improvement is the removal of the 100 Mbps Ethernet port, which has been replaced by a Gigabit connection for improved network performances.
Hardware & Handling
The casing is almost identical in design to the original 2big Network NAS. It has a hefty aluminium outer shell with a very high-quality finish. The only visible difference is in the connections at the rear of the device, as there's now two USB 2.0 ports (one host, one slave), an eSATA connection, a Gigabit Ethernet port and a power connection for hooking up the transformer, which unfortunately isn't built-in. A mechanical on/off switch is also on hand.
Our test model came supplied with two Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 hard drives, each with a 2 TB capacity and a spin speed of 7200 rpm, which should help bring out the best in this storage server's performances. One thing we can't be sure of though, is how good these drives' lifespan will be, as 7200 rpm models do tend to heat up more than the regular 5200 or 5400 rpm drives that are usually used in network attached storage systems. Plus, only a few small vents let air circulate from the small internal fan (6 cm).
Set-up
As is usually the way with NAS systems, a software application supplied (LaCie Network Assistant) is used to detect the 2big Network 2 in the network the first time you switch it on. The DHCP server assigns the NAS an IP address the first time you switch on, but the administrator is then free to assign the IP of his or her choice.
From then on in it's plain sailing, as unlike many other models, this NAS is supplied with two pre-installed hard drives, set up in a RAID 0 configuration for optimal performances. You can switch the set-up from RAID 0 (for max. performance and capacity) to RAID 1 (safe back-up) via the NAS management platform. Beware though, as this will wipe any data already stored on the drives.
From then on in it's plain sailing, as unlike many other models, this NAS is supplied with two pre-installed hard drives, set up in a RAID 0 configuration for optimal performances. You can switch the set-up from RAID 0 (for max. performance and capacity) to RAID 1 (safe back-up) via the NAS management platform. Beware though, as this will wipe any data already stored on the drives.
Performances
Halleluiah! The poor performances of the original 2big Network NAS are officially a thing of the past. Here, performances are in the better-half of average for an NAS of this kind. Models with four or five drives, like the Synology DS1010+, obviously do much better but they're simply not in the same league. The 2big Network 2 4TB NAS is basically comparable to a Synology DS209.
SMB performance measured in RAID 1 with the drives supplied (2 x Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000)
This NAS certainly gets the most out of the Gigabit connection, working at bitrates comparable to using a small local drive, but with all the added advantages of data back-up, security, file sharing and flexibility that come with a network-attached solution.
That's not the only good news either, as performances are also good when transferring data to and from a drive connected to the 2big Network 2 via the eSATA port. It' a far cry from the limited write speeds of the Qnap TS-219P! Via the eSATA connection, this NAS behaves as if you were working with one of its internal drives.
Performance with an external drive connected via the eSATA port
Things aren't quite so impressive for drives hooked up via the USB port, but performance is still better than in most competitors' models. While other NAS generally struggle to go higher than 10 MBps for average-sized files, here, the NAS practically maxes out the bitrate supported by USB 2.0 in read mode, with transfer rates pushing 30 MBps.
Performance with an external drive connected via the USB port
Functions & Operation
Although the dashboard may look busy and complicated the first time you load it up, it's actually pretty easy to get the hang of. A few minutes is all it takes to find your way around the various menus and options.
Functions include the regular file-sharing options (SMB, AFP, FTP, HTTP), as well as user, group and quota management, a Time Machine server for easy back-up with a Mac, a Bonjour server and a BitTorrent client. We did find the latter rather prone to bugs, and it doesn't allow you to work with time schedules. You can, however, programme on and off times for the NAS as a whole.
Functions include the regular file-sharing options (SMB, AFP, FTP, HTTP), as well as user, group and quota management, a Time Machine server for easy back-up with a Mac, a Bonjour server and a BitTorrent client. We did find the latter rather prone to bugs, and it doesn't allow you to work with time schedules. You can, however, programme on and off times for the NAS as a whole.
Web-based administration tool
A DLNA server is included, as well as a photo server that we think could be better-designed. The file manager could also be improved, as you can only see files on the NAS and not those on the local PC. Similarly, saving back-up copies of files to the NAS can only be done at your request as automatic back-up can't be programmed.
Pluses
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Good performance over a network
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Good performance via eSATA and USB
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Good price for an NAS supplied with two hard drives
Minuses
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Not many options for advanced users
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Very noisy
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Standby issues
Although it's not the best NAS out there, the 2big Network 2 is excellent value for money. Only users looking to make regular use of advanced options and additional services (automatic back-up, BitTorrent, plugins etc.) would need a higher-performance (and more expensive) model.
| MARCHANDS | € |
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|
| Amazon marketplace | 367.00 | ||
| Amazon marketplace | 435.67 | ||
| Compare prices | |||
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