LaCie Network Space

Product Survey: NAS

The LaCie Network Space is an entry-level NAS system with a limited range of options. As you can see in the photo above, the manufacturer has reused the enclosure of the LaCie Hard Drive designed by Neil Poulton. There are, however, two differences, with a USB port at the front to connect an external hard drive and a Gigabit Ethernet port at the back to give the Network Space access to your network. Two versions are available, 500 GB and 1 TB. The tool used to configure the Network Space is the same as the one found on the 2Big Network. It's very simple, but rather limited. As a result, it's very clear and setting things up doesn't take long. However, it's not long before you reach the system's limits. The features available on the Network Space are very limited compared to what its competitors offer. It only supports the CIFS/SLB and AFP protocols, which is fine for Windows and Mac users, but leaves Linux networks out in the cold. You can also give secure remote access to your files over FTP, or use it a multimedia server for DLNA-compatible devices.