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D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure | 
| Brand: D-Link
List Price: $229.99
Buy New: $146.94
You Save: $83.05 (36%)
New (48) Used (3) from $146.94
Rating:  101 reviews
Sales Rank: 514
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Modem: n/a
Shipping Weight (lbs): 8
Dimensions (in): 78.7 x 23.6 x 39.4
nv:Form Factor: Desktop
Compatible RAID Levels: 0
Compatible RAID Levels: 1
Compatible RAID Levels: JBOD
Number Of Hard Drives Bays: 2
Hard Drive Interface: SATA
Hard Drive Interface: SATA II
USB Ports: 1
RJ-45 Ports: 1
Communications Description: Network Adapter
Interface Type: RJ-45
Data Transfer Rate: 1000 Mbps
Data Transfer Rate: 100 Mbps
Data Transfer Rate: 10 Mbps
Protocols: TCP/IP
Built-In Network Services: FTP Server
Networking Standards: IEEE 802.3i 10Base-T Ethernet
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: DNS-323
Model: DNS-323
UPC: 790069298806
EAN: 0790069298806
ASIN: B000GK8LVE
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Secure and share your digital files | | • | Insert one or two internal 3.5 SATA hard drives without tools or cables | | • | Protect your important files with mirrored hard drives using RAID 1 technology | | • | Access stored files over the Internet | | • | Hard drives not included |
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Product Description
The D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure, when used with internal SATA drives enables you to share documents, files, and digital media such as music, photos, and video with everyone on the home or office network. Remotely accessing files through the Internet is also possible with the built-in FTP server. Whether you are allowing access locally or over the Internet, keep data safe by only giving rights to specific users or groups. When configuring the DNS-323, you can create users and groups and assign them to folders with either read or write permissions. This is ideal for an office environment with employee-specific sensitive data or for the home where you can ensure your children will only have access to age appropriate material. LEDs - Power, LAN, HDD 1 and HDD 2 System Requirements - 1GHz Processor, 512MB Memory, 200MB Hard Disk Space, Windows XP SP2 or Windows 2000 SP4, CD-ROM Drive to view Product Documentation and Install Software Dimensions - Width 4.1 x Depth 7.8 x Height 5.2 inch Weight - 2.7 pounds
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| Customer Reviews: Read 96 more reviews...
 Why you should not buy this product October 2, 2007
Martin Anderson (Santa Ana, CA United States)
219 out of 259 found this review helpful
Based upon its specifications and price, this product seems like a great deal. And if you just need to share hard drives over your network without any security or passwords, it seem to work very well.
Here's why I'm returning mine.
1. Although the device is advertised as supporting the EXT3 file format (which is more secure than EXT2), D-link's original firmware apparently had many, many problems with EXT3, so Dlink updated the firmware. Did they re-write the firmware to correct the bugs? No. They just removed all support for EXT3. Unfortunately, they didn't re-write the manual, so if you read the manual, you'll wonder where the EXT3 options went, and whether your unit is defective or not.
If you don't know what EXT2 and EXT3 is, check out Wikipedia. Suffice it to say that EXT3 is better, more robust, and has better protection against data loss. Most NAS devices uses EXT3 by default. Although this device is advertised to support EXT3, it hasn't since a firmware update in early 2007.
2. Dlink did exactly the same thing with the Disk Utilities, including a scandisk and defrag feature. Again, they're still in the documentation, but nowhere to be found on the device.
3. Technical support is absolutely horrid. They've outsourced to somewhere that doesn't speak English, understand their products, or understand customer service. I called to inquire about the above issues. Two of the three times that I called, I couldn't even hear the representative because of what sounded like a very loud fan in the background. The third time, the representative had no knowledge of the product. In fact, when you go through the phone tree, there isn't even an option for this device, so you just have to select something else and pray that you reach the right area.
I ultimately got my question answered by calling sales and asking to be transferred to a level 3 support technician - they're in the U.S.
4. When accessing the network share on the DNS-323 from a Windows based machine, you must be logged in to your machine using the username that you entered on the DNS-323, because the "user name" field will be greyed out and cannot be changed when you attempt to access the files. This creates problems if you have different usernames on each computer because you must now set-up the system. Other NAS devices (Synology, Buffalo, Linksys) don't behave this way, instead letting you change the username and the password when you login. There is a workaround, involving mapping a network drive and selecting the option to login as a different user, but I have too many folders setup to map every single one to a network drive.
5. The password length must be between 5 and 8 characters. Because you must set the username and password on your Windows machine to match exactly with the DNS-323 (see above), you now must make sure your password on your computer is also between 5 and 8 characters. Most other NAS devices don't have this limitation.
6. Each time you set-up a user permission to access a directory, the system creates a new, different share name. For instance, suppose that I have a directory called "Test." I choose to allow a user named "John" to access "Test" with read-write permissions. The DNS-323 will create a share named "Test" which John can access. Suppose that I then allow a user named "Mike" to access "Test" with read-write access. The system will create a separate share named "Test-1" which Mike can access. Mike will not be able to access the share named "Test" and John cannot access "Test-1." With multiple users, this could be a serious nuisance. Other NAS devices (Synology, Buffalo, Linksys) don't behave this way, instead letting every user simply access "Test."
8. The scheduled backup feature does not work properly. I set it up to backup all the files from an older Linksys NAS device. It got about half-way done and then stopped for no apparent reason. To make matters worse, when I attempted to delete the files that it did copy, it gave me an error claiming that the files were read only. Apparently, it set some kind of read only flag on all the files that it copied. I tried changing the flag, but it wouldn't let me do that either. Yet, I have read/write permissions for the folders and I can change the file names. I just can't delete them.
 The little NAS that could December 9, 2007
Y. Chang (Mamaroneck, NY)
196 out of 199 found this review helpful
I needed a network storage, and I wanted some degree of user-extensibility (hackable). After much research, DNS-323 became an obvious choice, at least based on specification, figures, reviews and user reports. The budget was under $200, and it's incredible how expensive NAS boxes are in general.
Here are some models I considered and why they didn't make the cut:
Linksys Storage Link for USB 2.0 Disk Drives NSLU2 an amazingly flexible NAS that's also cheap. It has a very large and healthy development community for its hacks. However it requires external enclosure and is much slower. NSLU2 also doesn't spin down the drives by default (reports say you can with some tweaks). Has the least functions out of the box. Very tempting alternative however, due to its being a favorite platform for hackers/developers and consequently a legendary bang for the dollar.
Linksys Network Storage System with 2 Bays (NAS200) follow up on the NSLU2, has two SATA bays, seemed perfect. However Linksys decided to drop a dog of a chip in there, making it slower than even the old NSLU2 out of the box. The chip is also different and odd compared to NSLU2, making it a dubious candidate for development projects. Heat dissipation is also a reported problem, as well as fan noise. It's relatively new so no development projects (hacks) are centered around it. I wonder with the lackluster hardware if it ever will.
Buffalo LinkStation Pro Shared Network Storage LS-320GL - NAS - 320 GB - Serial ATA-150 - HD 320 GB x 1 - Gigabit Ethernet Has everything--gigabit, speedy processor, large ram-but only 1 bay and comes with a drive that I don't need. Replacing the drive voids warranty, and the drive doesn't spin down (big no). Isn't as well made as there are numerous reports of it failing after a few months. Also a very hackable unit like NSLU2, and were designed to encourage it.
I came into the decision on my DNS-323 with a slight mistrust of D-Link products, after having owned several buggy network hardwares in the past. The justification for the purchase was its reported speed by many, often comparable or beating units more than several times its cost. It's one of the few "budget" boxes that actually delivers the speed it promises.
It has a 500mhz processor, the Marvell 88X7042 SATA controller and marvell's 88E1111 gigabit network handler. All proven workhorses. a very efficient case design with small volume/footprint, the dual bay sata with raid, standard linux file format (ext2), the ability to spin down and its operating power efficiency. For the money, there's really none other on the radar with these credentials.
Receiving the product is another revelation. I'm the obsessive-compulsive type who can see every single flaw, which tend to be plenty on mass produced products these days. I couldn't find one scratch on the brushed metal sides of this NAS case. The product is very solid, with hefty metallic casing (I don't think you can find any NAS box made of metal under $200.. or maybe even $500), that actually has a suede rubberized finish on top and bottom. The metal case proved to be important as it helped dissipated the heat of the drives as I turned off the fan with scripts later. It is also VERY spatially efficient, with no space wasted. The only gap between the drives were well thought out as cooling channel. I don't think it could get any smaller without hurting its function. The speed-controlled fan is very quiet to the point of being nearly silent; an amazing feat due to its size (40mm). I don't think I have ever seen a small fan that quiet. The lights are discreet, no Christmas colors. The box looked great and exuded quality. I can't complain about the build quality at all. It's just well made with solid components. D-link's accountant must be asleep at the switch.
Installation is easy. You just open the front face cover and slide in the drives. Connect the power and network cable and that's it. It comes with (or you can download) a software that automatically maps the drive for you. (you can do it yourself too quite easily. it's not proprietary in any way) The configuration page is also very straightforward. Perhaps a bit too plain vanilla, but what it has just works. Have been using ftp and itunes server extensively. I haven't tried raid 1 (which reportedly have issues with older firmwares) or the upnp media server. Otherwise I haven't had problems with the firmware, which I upgraded to 1.03. Firmware 1.04 is due soon, and I tried the beta versions as well without yet running into problems.
The speed didn't disappoint. I didn't have a gigabit network at home though, but at the 100mbps ethernet, it registers 99%+ throughput on transfers. It was able to sustain the speed for the entire 400+gb I transferred on initial set up without any breaks or stops. In other words I haven't been able to touch its limit yet. After almost 3 weeks of constant use, there's not one problem on its basic features: storage and serving files over the network. It just does what it should, even if I fancied more imaginative features.
Now the hacking part: I've discovered after my purchase that there's a sizable contingent of users on the web who have tackled and extended the capability of this solid piece of hardware. I really hoped D-link was stronger on their firmware design or implement more features, but it looks like they have had problems and thus became conservative, resutling in the plainness of the standard firmware.
If you google fun_plug or check out dns323.info, you'll find all the information you need to explore the untapped potential of this rather capable hardware set. I was able to get this little puppy to be a bittorrent client, a web server, upgrade the itunes server, deliver media streaming over http, customize its fan control (it really doesn't run that hot with my wd5000aaks, helped by the metal case. The hack cuts on fan power and the already unnoticeable noise, and maybe even lower dust levels), and use its usb for storage as well as print server; and I just started playing with it 3 days ago! There are also many security enhancements that solves many of the network functional lackings mentioned in other reviews here. Due to the way the firmware is written, you don't even need to change the firmware to attach all these features. I'm not good with hacking, but it's really not that hard for most of these "hacks". I suspect most people can follow the instructions just fine.
To conclude: this is a solid NAS hardware that has a doubter and a miser convinced of its value for the dollar in the course of the past 2.5 weeks. As a basic network storage, this thing works very well. If you venture into the available hacks, you can really make it work like you dreamed it and maybe even more. I am not giving it 5 stars only because I wish D-link provides some if not all these wonderful hacked features to suit its rather robust hardware, and that I only had limited exploration of its features. However, as it stands, it works quite reliably and fast out of the box. That is probably the most important to most people. For me, it delivered.
A young product, but works very well. December 31, 2006
D. Sanders (Irvine, CA)
28 out of 30 found this review helpful
It's a new product, and surely firmware updates will make it more stable as time goes on. Now on v1.02. But overall, I've had a great time with this, and few problems other than the normal Windows network browsing issues.
I am now running backups from three systems to this NAS without any issues (Mac, Linux, and XP). The speed is very good on gigabit ethernet.
Power management works well - the disks spin down after 5 minutes of inactivity, and it's more economical than running a full-blown PC to share data.
Using the Western Digital 400GB disks on the compatibility list.
 Fast, cheap, silent NAS. New firmware fixes problems, December 18, 2006
C. Carroll (Orleans, CA USA)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
I currently have this working with a 400GB Samsung Spinpoint drive. It shows fast transfers (see tests against other NASs at tomshardware site), near silent operation, and is relatively cheap. The problem with transfers of directories with large number of files has been fixed in firmware 1.02 (available 12/18). I tested it today with a 8,000 file directory which had previously not copied fully, it now copies to the dns323 perfectly. The spinpoint drives are great companions to this NAS, I just ordered 2 500gb drives to install in the dns323 to create a terabyte NAS. Spinpoints aren't on dlink's list of drives tested to work with the dns323, but the 400GB at least works great with it.
Edit 12/30/2006: Other reviewers have found that updating to firmware 1.02 doesn't resolve problems if you chose the ext3 file system. If you choose ext2 fs and firmware 1.02, hopefully you will have the same experience as I have had: a great problem-free NAS.
Good SATA Drive Enclosure January 24, 2007
Gotta Have It (Half Moon Bay, California USA)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
One of the few of these type of items available on the market. I bought it with great trepidation after reading all the reviews. I had received some free drives from Newegg (Seagate) and needed to house them. This was a no brainer set up. The utility found it immediately without me having to mess around with turning virus protection or firewalls off. (XP pro SP2). The firmware was one rev prior so I updated it - absolutely smooth as silk. Reformatted the drives. I chose the RAID 1 option and ext3 format. I like the fact that you can specify RAID size and the leftover is formatted as striped volume. The drive is fairly solid. The fan is not very noisy. The front slide up access door is a little kludgy. Good user interface. I was also surprised with the speed of transfer especially having chosen RAID and ext3. The only thing I can never get to work and it is 100% MY lack of knowledge is the email alerts. I couldn't get Infrant to do it and same with this one.
As an aside I love Amazon and NewEgg. Great retailers both of them.
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