Reviewer’s Guide: Seagate BlackArmor NAS 440
5
The default RAID setting for the BlackArmor is RAID 5 for the BlackArmor NAS 440
server. This ensures the most reliable and redundant back up of the data it contains.
Hot-Swappable Drives
All BlackArmor NAS products are user-serviceable and feature
hot-swappable drives to ensure uninterrupted operation. No
tools are required. Simply insert the spare or replacement drive
into the cradle and then slide the cradle into the drive bay.
Should a drive ever require replacement, hot swapping means
the unit need not be powered down. Additional drive cradles are
available for replacement or easy swap for archiving drives.
Though Seagate drives are known for their exceptional quality, it
is suggested that a company which cannot risk down time keep
a spare drive in a cradle ready for use on a moment’s notice.
It is important to note that different RAID levels provide differing
levels of protection and performance. The BlackArmor NAS 440 ships with RAID 5
already set up. RAID 5 provides the highest possible level of protection for data.
Seagate strongly urges the use of RAID 5 when three or more hard drives are present.
For two-disk NAS 420 systems, Seagate recommends RAID 1, in which contents of one
drive are duplicated (mirrored)on the second drive. Administrators should be especially
aware that RAID 0 distributes data across several disks in a way that yields improved
performance, but that all data on all disks is lost if any one disk fails.
High Security
With BlackArmor NAS, encryption is possible for entire volumes, folders, and even for an
individual backed up file. This is accomplished with intuitive software management for
access control using a chipset that provides hardware encryption. A bare metal restore
and recovery CD to protect against data loss is included. BlackArmor NAS supports
HTTPS and allows for the import of an SSL certificate to encrypt all communications with
the device. HTTPS is fully support for remote access via the free Seagate Global Access
service.
Synchronization for Up to 50 Computers
With BlackArmor Backup software,
the BlackArmor NAS delivers automatic and scheduled backup of business-critical data
for up to 50 networked computers. This includes full-system backup and RAID options to
provide duplication of data. For any business with up to 50 computers, BlackArmor NAS
is the perfect solution. The product ships with 10 client licenses; additional licenses are
available through the Seagate web site.
Designed for Growth
Not everyone or every small business needs 8TB of storage, even if a portion of that
amount is set aside for overhead in a RAID array. Small businesses and self-employed
individuals can start with a two-drive 2TB configuration (BlackArmor NAS 420 with two
Drive cradle
