CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 10/11/2004
- Released on: 06/01/2004
The Mirra personal server is available in 80GB ($400), 120GB ($500), and 250GB ($700) models. Unfortunately, the Mirra is not designed to accept hardware upgrades, so if you find yourself running out of space in the future, plan on shelling out all over again for a separate, pricey Mirra. In contrast, the Linksys EFG120 has an extra drive bay that lets you expand its storage capacity, not to mention a print server and other features that you won't find in the Mirra.
With the help of clear directions from the Mirra's concise quick-start guide and a "30-minute" user guide, we had the hardware connected, the software installed, and our two PCs backed up in less than two hours. The software automatically configured itself for our test home network and found the Mirra personal server connected to our four-port wireless router. Once the unit is up and running, you simply select the folders on each PC to archive. According to Mirra, the personal server will automatically and continuously synchronize two to five PCs comfortably, tracking and logging up to eight versions of any single file on any of your PCs, conveniently performing all this in the background. Not all backup solutions let you archive multiple versions of a file, so this will be a plus for some. For others, it will simply be a waste of disk space. Though the device itself uses Linux, it works only with PCs running Windows XP or 2000, and it requires a broadband connection and a router with an available Ethernet port.
Our test network included several gigabytes of important work and personal files (invoices, years of tax returns, homework projects, and a treasure trove of photos dating back to 2000) sitting on two networked Windows XP PCs. In no time at all, we were able to tag a number of folders across the two PCs for automatic backup. Combined with a Web-based service hosted by Mirra's maker, the software also lets you remotely access archived files and even share them with family and friends. The free service is password-protected, and files are encrypted during transit. This service helps set the Mirra personal server apart from the competition.
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