The Buffalo DriveStation FlexNet is an affordable network storage solution that doubles as a standard USB external storage drive. The DriveStation FlexNet is a simple-looking black plastic enclosure that contains a standard SATA desktop hard drive designed to connect to your computer either as “Direct Attached USB Storage” or as “Network Attached Storage”.
Buffalo DriveStation FlexNet specs:
- Internal Hard Drive: One SATA
- USB Port: One USB 2.0
- LAN Port: One RJ45 10/100Mbps
- Dimensions: 6.15″ (D) x 6.89″ (H) x 1.78″ (W)
- Weight: 2.5 lbs.
- Power Consumption: 17W average
- Power Supply: AC100-240V 50/60Hz
If you’re using a desktop computer as your network drive then that desktop (and the system resources) are being shared with multiple users and the desktop being used becomes slower as a result. The DriveStation FlexNet solves this problem by giving you a completely independent network storage solution at the expense of read/write speeds.
The main feature of the DriveStation FlexNet is that this external drive works as either a standard USB external drive or as a NAS at the touch of a button. The drive comes pre-formatted for immediate use, so this is literally “plug-and-play” storage. There is no additional software to be added in order to manage the hard drive. The FlexNet’s main NAS configurations are all accessed through a web browser by simply typing in the IP address.
Like most consumer-grade Network Attached Storage (NAS) enclosures from Buffalo, the DriveStation FlexNet makes it difficult to access the drive inside the enclosure. In fact you would need to break the enclosure to get inside, therefore voiding the warranty. This hard drive is designed for anyone who needs an independent network storage drive that can be shared by multiple computers but also wants that drive to work like a simple external hard drive at the touch of a button.
The enclosure is all black and has a very simple design with the Buffalo logo on both sides. The top, bottom and back of the dual hard drive enclosure has vents to keep the drive from overheating. Also, on the front there is small Function button. The back of the enclosure has a USB connection, power button, DC plug, LAN plug and reset button along with the vent. There is one security lock slot on the bottom of the enclosure; an odd location since you would need to leave the enclosure turned over on its side in order to connect a security cable to the lock slot.