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An Excellent Network Storage and Backup Solution!

The Media Vault has made it very easy (finally) for me to put all my files in one place that everyone on my home network can access. Here’s what’s great about it:

1. It’s very easy to install. Just plug in the power supply, plug the included ethernet cable into your router, turn it on, and it’s ready to go. The Media Vault is one of the more attractive techno doo-dads out there, so you’re not forced to hide it when entertaining guests. If you do want to get it out of the way, its small enclosure allows it to fit nicely in a closet or cabinet.

2. It’s easy to configure. The interface is simple, even for regular folks who are new to administering a home server or shared storage device (technically, the Media Vault is a NAS, which stands for Network Attached Storage). The included software, which is PC-only, works as advertised, giving you control over user accounts, backup schedules, sharing, and other functions.

Fortunately, if you’re not on a PC, or if you don’t want to install yet another piece of software on your computer, you can easily control the router via your Web browser. Just type in the Media Vault’s address on your network and configure to your heart’s content. As far as I could tell, most of the features of the PC software are available via the Web interface. Mac users will need to opt for this method.

3. Sharing is easy. The Media Vault is set up to share videos, music, photos, and documents right out of the box. You can open, edit, and save files that live on the Media Vault just as you would with a file that lives on your computer. Another plus: the Media Vault is immediately recognized by streaming media devices such as an xbox 360 or other network-connected media players. That means you can enjoy videos and photos from the comfort of your TV room. The Media Vault also comes with a built-in iTunes server. It’s great having all my music ready to play in iTunes, no matter which computer I’m using.

4. Remote sharing is surprisingly simple. The Media Vault sets you up with your own custom Web address, which people outside your network can visit to browse your files. Don’t worry, they have to be authorized to do this! It’s a great way to share photos and files with friends and family far away. There’s even a function called “Photo Webshare” that organizes and displays photos stored on the Media Vault via the Web.

5. Backups are a snap. I configured the Media Vault to automatically back up the contents of the user folders on my PCs (My Documents, My Photos, My Music, etc.) This way, my most important files are always getting backed up to the Media Vault and I don’t have to think about it. Another great feature of the Media Vault that I plan to take advantage of is the hard drive expansion bay. I can easily add another internal hard drive, allowing me to make automatic backups of the Media Vault itself. You can also back up the Media Vault by hooking up an external USB drive and copying your data to it.

And what about negatives? It would be nice if the device were a bit quieter when in use. The internal fan is a little distracting. That’s why I would recommend placing the Media Vault in an out-of-the-way part of your home, or in a closet or cabinet with good ventilation. That’s my only nit-pick for now, but I’ll see how it goes as I use it more!

Update (2/8/2012):

The featured review for this product, HP Media Vault 500 GB Network Attached Storage mv2120 Electronics Apr 1, 2008, was written by Joshua R. Gunn.

The average rating for this item is 5 out of 5 stars, according to 3 reviews.