We’re big proponents of redundancy. And also, we tend to repeat ourselves.
Let’s face it — hardware is going to fail eventually. It’s much better to plan for it than to assess the damage after losing a drive and months of data. Here’s our take on what’s become available lately. We hope this saves you some headache!
With the barrage of just-released WD MyCloud press coverage, you may be wondering whether the hype meets the reality. Simply put: Western Digital presents a personal cloud storage system designed to eliminate the ongoing expense of Storage as a Service (SAAS) while retaining the associated features. The equipment, a basic Network Attached Storage device (NAS), provides almost foolproof hard drive data sharing and video streaming via a home-networked Internet connection. According to PC Magazine online, MyCloud provides home users with “smoking access” to a personally controlled NAS system.
The WD MyCloud system is considered quick, reliable, easy to set up and easy to operate. Users of existing cloud storage services will be up and running after five brief steps:
- Plug in any desired external USB drives
- Plug into the gigabit ethernet port
- Browse to the WD setup URL
- Download the software
- Create a username, password and start using the system
MyCloud support includes a visual interface and access to downloadable apps for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows and the Web. It also integrates well with other public cloud accounts. Once up and running, you can easily configure other users, upload files and make a backup of your Mac or PC.
Yet shortcomings exist. The MyCloud remote interface access is somewhat limited in functionality. The USB port provides no printer support. And you are putting all your data into a home storage basket.
Cloud Storage: The Alternative to a Personal NAS System
Cloud storage is a simple solution to users’ need for storing virtual and conventional applications in a ready-access environment. Why bottleneck on a thumb drive when SaaS permits you to store your files in the cloud?
Even though Dropbox, Google Drive and other limited free public SaaS options are readily available, many home users have not taken advantage of the resources. The consumer forecast from Gartner projects a growing increase in consumer digital storage requirements. By the year 2016, Gartner expects a third of consumer digital content to exist in the cloud SaaS environment.
Check out the following storage cost differences:
Public Clouds
- Dropbox – 2TB for $200 per year
- Google Drive – 2TB for $200 per year
- SkyDrive – 107GB for $50 per year
Personal Clouds – One-time price NAS devices
- Seagate Central – 4TB cap at $169
- Netgear Centria – 2TB router and NAS in one device priced at $349
- WD MyCloud – 2 to 4TB starting at $149 on Amazon
High Speeds Required
A high-speed Internet connection is key to making WD MyCloud function efficiently. According to AllConnect.com, a home cloud solution without pure broadband high-speed DSL lacks the power to provide reasonable and reliable service. Research performed at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) found that DVTS (Digital Video Transport System) live video streaming demands a minimum Internet connection speed of 30Mbps.
Getting the WD MyCloud solution to satisfy your personal cloud storage and streaming video requirements demands access to modern equipment and punch-driven Internet speeds. With it, WD MyCloud should satisfy your personal storage needs at a reasonable price.
