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Considering the price, I was surprised how decent the bundled NTI Shadow backup software was. You can choose which files or folders to back up and whether you want said backups performed on a regular basis, or after every file change, and as long as the software is running you can rest easy knowing your data is safe. NTI Shadow will even resume its backup process in the event of a disconnect, so if your cat decided to pull the Ethernet cable out of your PC mid-backup, you won't have to start again.

The MyXerver supports media sharing with simple UPnP access taking care of most devices' access needs, but you can also use the device as an iTunes server, offloading your music to a central location. Web access to all data is also possible, though you will of course need to remember your router's IP address, or use a Dynamic DNS service, which the MyXerver helpfully supports, to access your data remotely.

The MyXerver also has a built-in download manager that will work either with simple HTTP and FTP, or with Bit Torrent downloads. A destination folder for the completed download can be specified and once added there's a simple interface for checking download statuses (and speed) and pausing or restarting transfers.

A backup screen lets you save either the MyXerver's configuration files (useful if you're upgrading the firmware) or backup the contents of the system to another NAS device. The MyXerver also features a printer server. Connect any USB printer to its USB port and suddenly it's a networked printer instead.

Obviously if you just have a single PC you'd be better off either putting another drive inside it, perhaps in a RAID array, or getting a non-networked external drive. But that rather defeats the multiple benefits of network-connected storage and with a growing number of devices able to access data on a NAS device - from DAB radios to games consoles to TVs - it's only going to make them more useful in the future. Given the price, therefore, the EZY MyXerver is a compelling purchase.

Verdict

The EZY MyXerver is a better featured NAS device than its price might lead you to believe. There's little else out there that will do the same for the money, plus it also looks pretty sharp and operates as quietly as a mouse wearing mittens, which is a clear bonus.

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