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Click here to read more about the DNS-323

I have been through many NAS devices.  When my Linksys GigaDrive failed, I purchased the Linksys NSLU2.  When that finally bit the dust, I did some research and came up with the DLink DNS-323.  I liked what I saw, so I took the plunge and ordered it.  I have been using it for quite a while now and so far it is aces in my book.

For those of you who do not know what a NAS is;  NAS stands for Network Attached Storage.  It is usually a collection of one or more storage devices attached to the network directly.  Think of it as a USB drive with an IP address instead of a USB cable.  You can read more about NAS devices at Wikipedia.

One of the biggest draws (for me) of a NAS is the fact that most of them are very low power, especially when compared to a full-powered PC.  Using my trusty Kill-A-Watt, I was able to determine that it costs me about 20-25$ per month to keep my computer running all the time.  That sucks (power)!  After some metering and calculations I found that the DNS-323 will only cost me 1-2$ per month to run 24/7.  WOW!

So I saved some cash and I have some storage on the network.  Now what?  These are the things I use my DNS-323 for:

• Streaming video files to my Xbox 360 using TwonkyServer - trial version found here
• Backup for all my important files (I have 2 drives mirrored on the DNS-323)
• Torrent client so I don’t need to keep my PC running - installation instructions here

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Jason Networking 323, dlink, dns, nas