That's where you setup your Storage Central. It configures the unit for your network, partitions and formats the drive(s), sets up virtual volumes, even provides for mirroring one drive onto the other (or onto a different Storage Central) so you'll have an absolute backup of your shared data. It's all done through an on-screen Q&A session, with simple enough explanations of what things mean, that the process is painless. The single rub to the operation is that the Storage Central Management Utility software must also be installed on all of the computers that will be accessing Storage Central. With the unit itself already configured, the extra software installations take all of two minutes, at most. When you're done, the drive's icon will appear among Windows' list of drives, as if you'd manually attached it.
Naturally, you can drag and drop anything from any of the attached PCs into Storage Central for community use. However, NetGear provides a trial copy of SmartSync Pro backup software. (A live copy will cost you $35, or $30 if you're buying one for each PC. The software has a per workstation, not a per network, license.)
SmartSync Pro addresses your backup requirements as well as giving you the ability to move from one workstation to another without needing to remember to take files with you. For example, my server and primary workstation are in my office. I work downstairs during the day on a WiFi enabled laptop. I configured SmartSync Pro to automatically copy the directory on my portable that contains my files onto Storage Central every few minutes. When I'm back in my office, those files are waiting for me on the attached SC101 drive should I need to review them. I've also setup Storage Central for mirroring, meaning that my work files exist on the WiFi PC, on the visible attached drive in Storage Central, and on the mirror image of that drive it also contains. It's redundancy plus one. There are a variety of backup and restore options available and a more comprehensive list possible if you purchase the package.
So far, the only problem I've had is with the WiFi system. The connection sometimes drops and, when it returns, Windows treats the attached Storage Central like a portable drive or a CD and wants to do something with it. That's more of a minor annoyance than problem, and clicking the Cancel button solves it. Other than that, NetGear's Storage Central has created a credible addition to any home or SOHO network with the installation and operational simplicity even a relative novice will appreciate.
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