[Don_S]

I saw this on the Cheap & Cheerful Circle:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/seagate-central-3tb-personal-cloud-storage-external-hard-drive-nas-black/8808815.p?id=1218901227885&skuId=8808815&productCategoryId=pcmcat272200050006

I keep seeing mention of NAS systems but I do not fully understand how they operate. I am wondering how one would integrate into my system and what use it would be.  For one, I see an easy backup option. Would it be automatic or manual?  I do not feel like I am missing any functions but I won't know until I ask. I feel like I am missing something but I don't know what.

Here is my setup:
U-Verse internet
Wireless modem
One wired desktop
Wireless desktop
Wireless Laptop
Wireless (obviously) iPad

LAN consists of two Ethernet cables into my audio/video room.
Equipment with Ethernet connections in the audio/video room:
HT Receiver
DVR
BluRay player
Music server that is self contained for ripping/storage/playback.  I do not think it streams. At least I have not tried that. It has a Windows OS so it is a computer at heart. It does use my LAN to retrieve metadata.

Each of those four devices also has wireless capabilities but it is easier to use the LAN cables since I am not utilizing any streaming functions and do not really need the internet for anything besides the music server.

The BluRay and DVR are equipped to stream programs like Netflix, VuDu, YouTube, etc. but I don't use anything except very rarely YouTube.  I find YouTube really needs a computer interface to search efficiently. 

I guess I should add here that I do not routinely share information between my three computers.  One desktop is an old beast that I only keep as a backup in case my new one has problems.  I have already copied, moved and backed up all important files. The laptop is primarily for controlling the music server. It was for travel until I got an iPad.

Since my use is primitive is there any advantage to an NAS? What gets connected to the LAN and USB connections on the rear of the unit in the link I posted. Are they supposed to be used as inputs or outputs?

Thank you for any help and indulgence. 

[JRace]

NAS = Networked attached storage.

This means the storage is accessible by all devices on the same network, and to access the drive from outside your network (through the internet).
Great when you want multiple devices to be able to see the hard drive.

if all you want is one device to see the hard drive use DAS - direct attached storage (external hard drive).
This will be faster and not affect network performance for other devices.



According to the user manual
http://www.seagate.com/files/www-content/support-content/external-products/seagate-central/en-us/seagate-central-user-guide-us.pdf
The LAN port would go direct to the router, and the USB port is to connect a 2nd external drive to this to act as addition NAS.

[Don_S]

JRace,

Thank you.  That information is very helpful. 

Would a NAS system be more susceptible to hacking? I turn my computer off when I am not using it.  I do not need to access it remotely.   But the NAS would be on all the time.

[JRace]

JRace,

Thank you.  That information is very helpful. 

Would a NAS system be more susceptible to hacking? I turn my computer off when I am not using it.  I do not need to access it remotely.   But the NAS would be on all the time.

Yes as a NAS would be on 24/7 so therefore it could be hacked anytime.

[lowtech]

99.99% of these devices will be used on a LAN behind a router/firewall, so the chances of it being "hacked" are pretty low.

[Don_S]

99.99% of these devices will be used on a LAN behind a router/firewall, so the chances of it being "hacked" are pretty low.

I was thinking about the data on the NAS storage drive.

[lowtech]

So was I.