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Linksys Instant GigaDrive - 20GB NAS (Networked Attached Storage Model EFG20)

The Linksys Instant Gigadrive is the first NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that we have tested. This device could also be called a Linux Appliance, since it offers no real input, and is powered by a Red Hat based Linux OS on the 20Gig hard disk inside.

On the outside, the device is approx 11"x8"x3, and weighs about 5 Lbs. On the front outside, there are several large LED lights for status, power, disk activity, network and more. The LED's actually show the percent of disk usage when the device is in normal operation. On the back of the unit. there is an RJ45 10/100 port, a reset switch, a power switch, a small cooling fan, and a standard parallel port for the attached printer. Inside the sleek purple and black plastic case, you'll find a very small hard disk, with a small processor, 1 DIMM, and all other components are integrated onto the motherboard.

The GigaDrive has a great Web
Setup and Admin Interface (Click to Enlarge)

The GigaDrive is powered by a small 12V DC power supply and a Linux OS. The Web Admin interface allows a quick and easy setup, or Windows users can use the CD included for a super simple setup. The Linux OS is Red Hat based, and is very simple to work with using the supplied web admin interface. The Supplied manual on the CD is also very detailed, and this device has many options for sharing access, such as groups modes to set user rights for more than one user at a time.

The GigaDrive web based admin allows setting of user and group accounts. (Click to Enlarge)

Overall, the Instant GigaDrive is a great NAS Linux powered device, and is a super simple way for anyone to add Network Storage to their LAN. It literally takes less than 5 minutes to set the device up and start using it. We loaded ours with MP3 files, and use it as a jukebox. The user interface is simple to use and easy to learn your way around. Anyone looking to add a Printserver and storage at the same time should look no further than the Linksys Instant GigaDrive.

Here are some of the features of the Linksys Instant GigaDrive:

- Easy setup, quicker than adding a hard disk!
- 10/100 LAN port and Printserver included
- Unit comes with a 20GB or 40GB option (20GB reviewed)
- DHCP Client and Server, Server supports 253 IP Addresses
- Supports all clients, Windows, Mac, Linux
- Easy to use Web Interface for administration
- Documentation included on CD, simple setup
- LED's on front show status and disk capacity, and more
- Based on Red Hat Linux OS, easily modified/customized

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars - This thing sets the standard for Linux Based NAS with a Print Server included!
Pros: Simple setup, Platform Independent, 20Gb Hard disk and printserver built-in, Based on Linux, Lots of LED's keep you informed of status and activity
Cons: Price. At $600 or so for the 20GB model, it can get pricey!

Linksys Instant GigaDrive - Model EFG20
Current Street Price for 20GB: $599.99
Current Street Price for 40GB: $800.00

Linksys - The Linksys Group Inc.
17401 Armstrong Ave
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 261-1288
http://www.linksys.com

Available now at:
http://www.insight.com
http://www.computers4sure.com
http://www.egghead.com

TIPS for using the Linksys Instant GigaDrive:

*We got the idea to hack the gigadrive after seeing a Linux Journal article on the subject. We decided that since the base OS on the hard disk was Linux, that would allow us to hack into the OS and install the TZO.COM Dynamic DNS client for Linux.

By doing this, we have created the world's first Linux appliance with a Print Server and Instant Storage/File Sharing with a Dynamic DNS client built in. This allows someone to plug the Linksys Instant GigaDrive in on a DHCP network (as a DHCP client), and any user can contact the device by the DOMAIN NAME, vs. an ever changing Dynamic IP address. This means that if a user wants to reach the print server or storage device (the 2 main functions of the GigaDrive), and the IP address changed overnight or while they were away from the office, they would still be able to reach the device via the domain name "gigadrive.tzo.com" for instance...

This works great since the TZO.COM Dynamic DNS servers would be in contact with the gigadrive via our client software, which keeps the domain updated with the proper IP address (since it may change anytime)

Great, but what does this all mean?:
This means that no more remembering the IP address for the print server or device. I can't tell you how many times I forget the IP address of the Linksys TCP/IP print server we have here in the lab, and I cannot set the driver up without it. Imagine knowing the device was always reachable at "printserver.tzo.com", your installs would be simple and easy, just remembering the domain name for the device, instead of the IP Address. Simple and Easy!

Click here for a detailed look at the GigaDrive and how it operates on your Network. (Large Pic)

Check out the new NAS products coming from Linksys. They had all of these products on display at this years 2000 Comdex last week in Las Vegas.

Linksys unveiled many new NAS or Networked Attached Storage devices. These devices, such as the Linksys 40GB GigaDrive with Raid, a Router/GigaDrive and more! The Linksys RAID solution holds two 40GB hard drives with RAID 1 (mirroring) as well as disk rebuilding and security access control. The disk drive's hot-swap capability allows for the exchanging of drives without network down time. The RAID Server also acts as a DHCP server, which automatically assigns IP addresses to everyone who connects to the LAN, eliminating the need for administrators to type in and assign every user an IP address.



	05/13/08


Linksys Instant GigaDrive 20GB NAS Storage PRODUCT REVIEW "The Linksys Instant GigaDrive sets the standard for Linux based NAS Storage and Printserver devices" "The GigaDrive has a bunch of LED's on the front to inform you of disk space usage, network and file activity, and more!!" "The included print server also allows shared printing through this device as well" "Linksys has newer versions of the Instant GigaDrive coming with even more options - such as a Cable/DSL router built in!
			Linksys Instant GigaDrive - 20GB NAS (Networked Attached Storage Model EFG20) The Linksys Instant Gigadrive is the first NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that we have tested. This device could also be called a Linux Appliance, since it offers no real input, and is powered by a Red Hat based Linux OS on the 20Gig hard disk inside. On the outside, the device is approx 11"x8"x3, and weighs about 5 Lbs. On the front outside, there are several large LED lights for status, power, disk activity, network and more. The LED's actually show the percent of disk usage when the device is in normal operation. On the back of the unit. there is an RJ45 10/100 port, a reset switch, a power switch, a small cooling fan, and a standard parallel port for the attached printer. Inside the sleek purple and black plastic case, you'll find a very small hard disk, with a small processor, 1 DIMM, and all other components are integrated onto the motherboard. The GigaDrive has a great Web Setup and Admin Interface (Click to Enlarge) The GigaDrive is powered by a small 12V DC power supply and a Linux OS. The Web Admin interface allows a quick and easy setup, or Windows users can use the CD included for a super simple setup. The Linux OS is Red Hat based, and is very simple to work with using the supplied web admin interface. The Supplied manual on the CD is also very detailed, and this device has many options for sharing access, such as groups modes to set user rights for more than one user at a time. The GigaDrive web based admin allows setting of user and group accounts. (Click to Enlarge) Overall, the Instant GigaDrive is a great NAS Linux powered device, and is a super simple way for anyone to add Network Storage to their LAN. It literally takes less than 5 minutes to set the device up and start using it. We loaded ours with MP3 files, and use it as a jukebox. The user interface is simple to use and easy to learn your way around. Anyone looking to add a Printserver and storage at the same time should look no further than the Linksys Instant GigaDrive. Here are some of the features of the Linksys Instant GigaDrive: - Easy setup, quicker than adding a hard disk! - 10/100 LAN port and Printserver included - Unit comes with a 20GB or 40GB option (20GB reviewed) - DHCP Client and Server, Server supports 253 IP Addresses - Supports all clients, Windows, Mac, Linux - Easy to use Web Interface for administration - Documentation included on CD, simple setup - LED's on front show status and disk capacity, and more - Based on Red Hat Linux OS, easily modified/customized Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars - This thing sets the standard for Linux Based NAS with a Print Server included! Pros: Simple setup, Platform Independent, 20Gb Hard disk and printserver built-in, Based on Linux, Lots of LED's keep you informed of status and activity Cons: Price. At $600 or so for the 20GB model, it can get pricey! Linksys Instant GigaDrive - Model EFG20 Current Street Price for 20GB: $599.99 Current Street Price for 40GB: $800.00 Linksys - The Linksys Group Inc. 17401 Armstrong Ave Irvine, CA 92614 (949) 261-1288 http://www.linksys.com Available now at: http://www.insight.com http://www.computers4sure.com http://www.egghead.com TIPS for using the Linksys Instant GigaDrive: We got the idea to hack the gigadrive after seeing a Linux Journal article on the subject. We decided that since the base OS on the hard disk was Linux, that would allow us to hack into the OS and install the TZO.COM Dynamic DNS client for Linux. By doing this, we have created the world's first Linux appliance with a Print Server and Instant Storage/File Sharing with a Dynamic DNS client built in. This allows someone to plug the Linksys Instant GigaDrive in on a DHCP network (as a DHCP client), and any user can contact the device by the DOMAIN NAME, vs. an ever changing Dynamic IP address. This means that if a user wants to reach the print server or storage device (the 2 main functions of the GigaDrive), and the IP address changed overnight or while they were away from the office, they would still be able to reach the device via the domain name "gigadrive.tzo.com" for instance... This works great since the TZO.COM Dynamic DNS servers would be in contact with the gigadrive via our client software, which keeps the domain updated with the proper IP address (since it may change anytime) Great, but what does this all mean?:* This means that no more remembering the IP address for the print server or device. I can't tell you how many times I forget the IP address of the Linksys TCP/IP print server we have here in the lab, and I cannot set the driver up without it. Imagine knowing the device was always reachable at "printserver.tzo.com", your installs would be simple and easy, just remembering the domain name for the device, instead of the IP Address. Simple and Easy! Click here for a detailed look at the GigaDrive and how it operates on your Network. (Large Pic) Check out the new NAS products coming from Linksys. They had all of these products on display at this years 2000 Comdex last week in Las Vegas. Linksys unveiled many new NAS or Networked Attached Storage devices. These devices, such as the Linksys 40GB GigaDrive with Raid, a Router/GigaDrive and more! The Linksys RAID solution holds two 40GB hard drives with RAID 1 (mirroring) as well as disk rebuilding and security access control. The disk drive's hot-swap capability allows for the exchanging of drives without network down time. The RAID Server also acts as a DHCP server, which automatically assigns IP addresses to everyone who connects to the LAN, eliminating the need for administrators to type in and assign every user an IP address.

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