Price : Too low to display
Coolmax CN-390 3.5 inch RJ-45&USB2.0 Network Attached Storage Enclosure (Black)
This review is from : Coolmax 3.5-Inch RJ-45 & USB 2.0 Network Attached Storage Enclosure CN-390BK (Black)
Good for Windows: Update for Mac too!!! . This NAS case is easy to setup and works fine for windows, but although the manual claims it works with OS X, I was not able to access it from 10.6.6 and spent several days researching and attempting with SMB and otherwise. The manual is very brief. I did upgrade the firmware along the way and some of the features did not work right. I was not able to set a hard IP for the unit. Although I could ping the unit and access it with a winxp box, I could only see the box, but not authenticate with SMB. I had a simplenet previously and went to a NUS1000 which works great all around with the latest firmware on OSX and all win boxes. You must set it up with a winX machine first though. I used a vm on a mac to do it. Once you've done that and upgraded the firmware you can configure it with win or OS X with almost any browser. Use FAT32 ext for the partition.
02/11/2011 Update
I received a email with firmware upgrades from coolmax. The instructions he gave me in the email to make the NAS work were as follows:
1. Using USB, delete all the partitions made on the drive
2. Create another partition but DO NOT format the drive.
3. Remove USB and plug RJ45/Ethernet cable
4. Reset the unit.
> When you reset, you turn on and press the reset immediately before the
> lan port blinks for 10 seconds. Turn it off and use scantool to
> search for ip again.
5. Once you have the IP address, do not use scantool to configure the NAS; use web interface.
6. Login to web interface
7. Format the drive using web interface
8. You have the option to do the firmware update again; the attachment contains 3 firmware updates. You can choose any of the three.
9. You should be ready and all else are in the manual
They sent me 3 versions of the firmware of which 2 I tried. The firmware version R3282-1.56d W1.31 works perfect for Win or Mac platforms and is much faster and more reliable than the NUS1000 now. I must forewarn anybody that you need to use smb to access the cn-390 (CMD K) on a mac. I'm used to a corporate environment and this is typical. Initial access/setup will need to be done on a win machine or VM. Although I got a very good firmware upgrade for the NUS1000 I decided to send it back because I have had it crash during long copy sessions and this cn-390 has not. They're support email is: tech@coolmaxusa.com
Good for Windows: Update for Mac too!!! . This NAS case is easy to setup and works fine for windows, but although the manual claims it works with OS X, I was not able to access it from 10.6.6 and spent several days researching and attempting with SMB and otherwise. The manual is very brief. I did upgrade the firmware along the way and some of the features did not work right. I was not able to set a hard IP for the unit. Although I could ping the unit and access it with a winxp box, I could only see the box, but not authenticate with SMB. I had a simplenet previously and went to a NUS1000 which works great all around with the latest firmware on OSX and all win boxes. You must set it up with a winX machine first though. I used a vm on a mac to do it. Once you've done that and upgraded the firmware you can configure it with win or OS X with almost any browser. Use FAT32 ext for the partition.
02/11/2011 Update
I received a email with firmware upgrades from coolmax. The instructions he gave me in the email to make the NAS work were as follows:
1. Using USB, delete all the partitions made on the drive
2. Create another partition but DO NOT format the drive.
3. Remove USB and plug RJ45/Ethernet cable
4. Reset the unit.
> When you reset, you turn on and press the reset immediately before the
> lan port blinks for 10 seconds. Turn it off and use scantool to
> search for ip again.
5. Once you have the IP address, do not use scantool to configure the NAS; use web interface.
6. Login to web interface
7. Format the drive using web interface
8. You have the option to do the firmware update again; the attachment contains 3 firmware updates. You can choose any of the three.
9. You should be ready and all else are in the manual
They sent me 3 versions of the firmware of which 2 I tried. The firmware version R3282-1.56d W1.31 works perfect for Win or Mac platforms and is much faster and more reliable than the NUS1000 now. I must forewarn anybody that you need to use smb to access the cn-390 (CMD K) on a mac. I'm used to a corporate environment and this is typical. Initial access/setup will need to be done on a win machine or VM. Although I got a very good firmware upgrade for the NUS1000 I decided to send it back because I have had it crash during long copy sessions and this cn-390 has not. They're support email is: tech@coolmaxusa.com
Coolmax 3.5-Inch RJ-45 & USB 2.0 Network Attached Storage Enclosure CN-390BK (Black) Reviews
Adequate Performance; Great Value . I like how simple this unit is. One simply removes the two rear screws and the installation of your hard disc is obvious. The user manual is absolutely wretched, written by a Taiwanese person with only a basic understanding of English. The device works with Linux as well as Mac & Windows, but the manual and the setup are only geared toward Windows users. I use Ubuntu Linux, and the device was recognizable and usable immediately, both via USB and over the network. The browser page interface, especially the Samba and FTP setup, takes some pondering before you know what you're doing (again the manual is pretty much worthless to this end).
I like that it has a hard drive sleep function and a cooling fan. I would have liked to have a setting for what temperature the fan comes on and goes off at. Overall a good performer and a great value, albeit slightly slow and with poor documentation.
Adequate Performance; Great Value . I like how simple this unit is. One simply removes the two rear screws and the installation of your hard disc is obvious. The user manual is absolutely wretched, written by a Taiwanese person with only a basic understanding of English. The device works with Linux as well as Mac & Windows, but the manual and the setup are only geared toward Windows users. I use Ubuntu Linux, and the device was recognizable and usable immediately, both via USB and over the network. The browser page interface, especially the Samba and FTP setup, takes some pondering before you know what you're doing (again the manual is pretty much worthless to this end).
I like that it has a hard drive sleep function and a cooling fan. I would have liked to have a setting for what temperature the fan comes on and goes off at. Overall a good performer and a great value, albeit slightly slow and with poor documentation.
Coolmax 3.5-Inch RJ-45 & USB 2.0 Network Attached Storage Enclosure CN-390BK (Black) Opinions
It works . Like others mentioned, the user manual is a bit incomprehensible, but it does it's job. For the network storage, you have to set up users who automatically get their own shared space on the drive. But after not seeing a public shared directory accessible to everyone I was a bit concerned. The manual did mention modifying the user to give them access to the public space. I added the Public dir to each user and a Public share showed up!
Setting up the printer wasn't as I expected either (don't add a network printer), but the manual adequately explained how to do it and I was able to get both XP machines and a Windows7 laptop printing using the shared printer. I didn't mess with the settings on the device to give it a fixed IP, but set my router to always give this device the same IP.
If you are not familiar with networks and partitioning, it could be a challenge to set up. I am and was able to get everything working in just over an hour. I don't plan to use this to stream media, so I can't comment on the speed. I may try it with some music just to see.
It works . Like others mentioned, the user manual is a bit incomprehensible, but it does it's job. For the network storage, you have to set up users who automatically get their own shared space on the drive. But after not seeing a public shared directory accessible to everyone I was a bit concerned. The manual did mention modifying the user to give them access to the public space. I added the Public dir to each user and a Public share showed up!
Setting up the printer wasn't as I expected either (don't add a network printer), but the manual adequately explained how to do it and I was able to get both XP machines and a Windows7 laptop printing using the shared printer. I didn't mess with the settings on the device to give it a fixed IP, but set my router to always give this device the same IP.
If you are not familiar with networks and partitioning, it could be a challenge to set up. I am and was able to get everything working in just over an hour. I don't plan to use this to stream media, so I can't comment on the speed. I may try it with some music just to see.
Cons Review
Poor Customer Support and Poor Quality . I purchased this item and a 1.5TB Western Digital Drive. Upon installation of the drive, the data cable would not reach the data port on the hard drive. I had to dismount the hard drive and attach the data cable first, then use the hard drive as leverage to stretch the cable far enough to where I could physically mount the hard drive to the chassis. The yellow wire is now as tight as a rubber band and is trying to pull the data connector back off the drive. I have written to CoolMax support four times now, and all they keep telling me is that they have sold hundreds of these and have never had a problem. I even sent them a close up image showing the taughtness of the yellow wire. I only requested that they send me a cable about .5 to 1 inch longer so that the stress can be relieved, but they have refused to do so. I have also requested they elevate my request, but their replies are still signed as CoolMax Support.
I am now forced to cut the yellow wire and lengthen it myself so that the stress can be relieved.
I must also note that I am unable to get a Gigabyte data connection from this device to my D-Link Gigabit switch. It is advertised as being 10/100/1000.
Not recommended.
I am now forced to cut the yellow wire and lengthen it myself so that the stress can be relieved.
I must also note that I am unable to get a Gigabyte data connection from this device to my D-Link Gigabit switch. It is advertised as being 10/100/1000.
Not recommended.
Feature Coolmax 3.5-Inch RJ-45 & USB 2.0 Network Attached Storage Enclosure CN-390BK (Black)
- Built in Ethernet switch port; provides easy access to shared data via LAN Suitable for 1x 3.5¡± SATA I/II hard drive with capacities upto 2 TB Supports FTP Server, DHCP Server, UPNP AV Server Supports FTP Server on LAN, TCP/IP and SNTP protocol
- Compatible with DSL routers/modems Under network environment, it supports 1x 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port Features iTune Server, Print Server, Network Time Server, FTP Server Low power consumption with its Sleep Mode feature
- Aluminum housing noise-free design with fan to increase cooling Password management provides secure access to hard drive and web management Supports hardware reset function with reset switch
- ControllerCPU: ARM9 OS: Embedded Linux MEMORY: ROM - 8MB Flash / RAM - 32MB DDR
- LANStandard: 10/100 BASE-TX Auto MDI/MDI-X Connector: 1x USB 2.0 port; 1x RJ-45 port; 1x DC-in jack Number: 1
- SoftwareConfiguration: Web browser ¨C IE v5 or later; Firefox; Windows XP UPnP Support File System: Internal HDD - XFS; External USB drives - FAT32/EXT3 Network: Auto IP (DHCP Server/ Client)/ Fixed IP/ Static IP
- Speed: Half Duplex and Full-Duplex operation Protocol: Microsoft Network File CIFS/SMB; Internet HTTP; FTP Network File System: FTP Hard Drive: SATA I/II upto 2TB, FAT32
- Standards: IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3ab, USB 2.0 (recommended) Power Supply: Input - AC 100-240V; Output - DC 12V 2A/5V 2AOS Compatibility: Windows98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista; Linux; Mac OSX
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Product Details
EAN : 0102646254660UPC : 895963155610
MPN : CN-390
Brand : Coolmax
Color : Black
Weight : 3 pounds
Height : 5 inches
Length : 12 inches
Width : 8 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
Manufacturer : Coolmax
Model : CN-390BK
Publisher : Coolmax
Studio : Coolmax
Where To Buy
You can buy Coolmax 3.5-Inch RJ-45 & USB 2.0 Network Attached Storage Enclosure CN-390BK (Black) on Amazon . Click here to Read More
