A network storage enclosure will consist of a chasis which will host a small server, with a small amount of memory. Usually, the server will run an open source Linux operating system. All of that will add to the economy of the network storage enclosure.

On the inside, the server will connect to one or more hard drives within the network storage enclosure, or outside of it, connected with a USB, IDE, eSATA, firewire, or iSCSI cable.

To the outside world, the server will connect via the ethernet network cable, usually to the router. Or, it could connect wirelessly, making it a wireless network storage enclosure.

Of course, being a stand-alone unit, the network storage enclosure will also require its own power source, usually through a power adaptor to the mains.

Let's look at the current selection of network storage enclosures that you may want to implement in your home network. These enclosures have all received high accolades from the buyers and users.

D-Link 2-Bay Network Attached Storage Enclosure DNS-321 Review

D-Link DNS-321 is a network storage enclosure that is a newer, improved version of the tested and true D-Link DNS-323 network attached storage. After a few years, D-Link was able to shave $50-$100 off the price and offer DNS-321 at about $100, which makes it a great value.

Features of D-Link DNS-321 Network Attached Storage

• D-Link Network Attached Storage DNS-321 is a newer version of DNS-323 which has been tested and true. The DNS-321 is designed using more updated internal component which makes it more price-competitive.
• The 321 has been designed for easy installation for everyone who can open the box and place a hard drive into the box. There are no screws, no cables to mess with when placing one or two SATA II hard disks into this box. Very simple, and easy to do.
• The D-Link DNS-321 NAS will operate at low, cool temperature, quietly. It will spin down automatically to conserve power when not in use, and will wake up, or restart the drives as soon as the data is requested over the network connection from any computer.
• When set up with two hard disks installed, and when the available RAID-1 option is chosen on setup, every file you save to the system will be automatically exactly mirrored. Why is RAID-1 disk configuration important? Because hard disks fail, eventually. With RAID-1 you have the peace of mind knowing that, if one drive fails, you will still have an exact correct copy of all files on the other drive at all times.

Where to buy D-Link DNS-321 NAS enclosure?

You will usually get the best prices online; Buying the DNS-321 through Amazon will give you free shipping, and great customer support if you need it later. Also, you may want to check the Amazon reviews of D-Link DNS-321 before you buy. Keep in mind that some of the negative reviews on Amazon are quite old; new firmware versions of DNS-321 have fixed the flaws in the previous versions.

Other manufacturers of network storage enclosures

We have reviewed several other manufacturers of network storage enclosures that can do their job when you need a solid, performing, consumer-grade product. These following products have proven themselves in providing a smooth installation, and reliable storage and serving of files over the home network.

• NetDisk 351UNE 3.5-Inch USB/eSATA/Ethernet Enclosure For USB or Network Storage Review: This single hard drive unit by IOCELL/Ximeta really excells in its transfer speed over the network using their proprietary NDAS transfer. It is great for home network file transfers but, due to non-internet protocol NDAS, it can not be used for serving files outside your home network. If the speed of transfers is the most important to you, and a great price, check this unit out at Amazon.
• TRENDnet 2-Bay Diskless SATA I/II Network Attached Storage Enclosure TS-S402 Review: This twin eSATA Plus twin external USB drives unit delivers gigabit transfer rates, and, after a bit quirky initial installation of the drives, this network storage enclosure "just works". Check out this user review for details.