Iomega Storcenter ix2 2TB

External hard disks that connect via USB or Firewire might be a convenient way to add extra storage to one PC, but if you have a couple of computers, they’re far less convenient. Iomega’s Storcenter ix2 is a small Nas device that adds up to 2TB of storage and makes it easily accessible to several networked PCs.

The Storcenter is small, measuring 8x12.5x20cm, but feels very sturdy and weighs a little over 2kg. The case design is Spartan, with only a Gigabit Ethernet port, two USB sockets and the power socket on the back. There’s also a small fan, but the device isn’t particularly loud in use. A rather large external power adapter is required.

Setting up the device is easy enough: it leases an IP address via DHCP and the supplied software will find it and start the web configuration process. A few shares are automatically configured. One is designed for media files, and copying files into it makes them accessible via a UPnP network media player. Another is designed for backups and is used by the included EMC Retrospect HD software. Adding extra storage devices is simple: just plug them into one of the USB ports.

The Storcenter’s web interface is simple enough to use, allowing you to add users, create new shared drives and perform maintenance operations, but for some operations you need to use the included client software running on a PC instead. We also liked the fact that, by default, the device is set up to provide 1TB of storage with Raid 1 mirroring, so even if one of the two disks inside fails, your files will be safe.

All in all, the Storcenter does a simple job well enough. It’s not pretty or cheap, but it is easy to set up and provides both mirrored backup storage and a handy media server.