Tech gurus, need NAS setup help

Picked up a buffalo l220 NAS and the set-up is not very intuitive. Who's knowledgeable enough to help?

 

What are you attempting to do?

 

Their basic setup instructions:

https://www.buffalotech.com/knowledge-base/initial-setup-of-linkstation-220de-diskless-enclosure

Once you complete these, you should be able to install/run their navigator app and go.

 

Damn it! Thats not how things work around here. Its still . . . sorta the offseason. This thread could have gone a couple of pages before the OP's question was answered.

 

He still needs to create volumes, shares, users and assign users to shares.

This can easily go several more pages.

 

This

 

After talking to tech support they neglect to mention that none of these instructions work with current windows security protocols. No big deal for a tech guy but the instructions are worthless to even a mildly tech savvy home user

 

Well, as a Land Rover owner you should be used to taking the oil pan off because the headlights don't work.

 

Did you ask Jay-Z?

 

Wait, I thought that was a Honda thing for when the rod takes out the stator...

 

Hints:

In the NAS create users that match your Windows Users. Set the passwords the same as the Windows password for that user. it will make things work a lot easier.

In Windows networking, make sure you have configured your networks as "private" not "public". If you can't change them, google how to enable the ability to change networks from public to private. You won't be able to connect to the NAS from File Explorer if the network is marked public.

 

Not really happy I have to utilize web access to access the drive from my phone. Really wanted this isolated from the world as much as possible.

 

Well, That's another kettle of fish. Proxies and firewalls and certificates....oh my...

 

Starting to sound like you bought the wrong NAS.

 

check for firmware updates before putting data on there. my model gets updates periodically.

 

We knew that when he said "Buffalo".

 

So what is a good NAS solution to replace doing a drive/folder share over a simple small business office network for Windows 11 PCs? Is there a benefit vs converting an old PC using free NAS software with existing SSD(s) or buying RAID HDs.

 

One of my buddies that does IT for a living said "Synology" was good for NAS.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/668510/synology-ds-223j-diskless-2-bay-nas

 

How important is the data? Your options range from 'yolo hope it works' to 'If I loose one bit the world ends' and the cost and complexity ramps to match.

 

Depends on your skillset and or how much you want to learn. You start with "how important is this data?" then you design around that. If you are low on knowledge and skillset then you move towards a OEM pre-built solution that meets your needs. Hopefully something with reliable support from that OEM. The folks over a Truenas do a pretty damn good job. The software will let you stay as simple or get as complex as your skillset allows. It you want something dumbed down then the Synology, AsuStor and some other OEM products would likely be ok.

At the end of the day they are a computer. A computer tailored to do specific things and do them pretty well.