Hands-On: LaCie 5big Backup Server Review

By: Alexander Kent|October 6, 201016 Comments

Most servers that we introduce here at HSL are multipurpose, meaning that it can be used either in the privacy of your household at home, or as a workhorse at your business place. However, this Hands- On review will focus on a top of the line, network storage device that is truly geared for a small business: the LaCie 5big Backup Server. The 5big Backup Server is a five-bay backup and file sharing device running Windows Home Server.

Right now LaCie is only the second manufacturer to launch such a solution for small business, HP being the first with their HP StorageWorks Data Vault series. Not only did LaCie want to market this for a serious business operation, having the 5big Backup Server provide image-based backup of 10 PCs, but it can also support the backup for unprecedented 25 Apple Macintosh (running Mac OSX 10.4+) via Time Machine.

Specifications (Good)

The single most distinguishing factor with the 5big Backup Server is that is has not two or four, but five hard drive bays, all of which have to be filled before LaCie will ever ship it to the consumer. As of right now the available units comes in 5TB (5 x 1TB drives – $1,199) or 10TB (5 x 2TB drives – $1,699) configuration. In the future if LaCie follows Seagate’s lead and adds support for single 3TB+ drives, this would mean that this beast would have the storage capacity of 15TB, unheard of thus far.

Full specification as follows:

As impressive as the storage is, we do need to touch base as to the 5big’s other specifications. The on board processor is an Intel single-core D410 Atom which offers very low power consumption and combined with 1GB RAM and Gigabit Ethernet is said to be able to move data around the network without any strain (we will see). However, the 1GB system memory appears to be mediocre when compared side by side with its competitors.

LaCie 5big Backup Server Unboxing (Good)

When you open the box, you will find the 5big Backup Server snuggly protected in a cloth bag.

The LaCie 5big Backup Server comes with:

• Power Supply (external power brick)
• Cat 5E Ethernet Cable
• Connector Agent and Utilities Disk
• Server Recovery DVD
• PC Recovery CD
• Drive Lock Tool
• Quick Start Guide
• Product Code Sticker

First Looks (Excellent)

LaCie’s 5big Backup Server has a very suave and at the same time, simplistic design that makes it look futuristic, and a far cry from the traditional black terminator looking machines. The front of the chassis has the unavoidable huge blue sphere, which glows a beautiful blue when the server is turned on. If judging from the front an observer’s first guess would not be that it is any kind of a machine. It is not until you look behind it is when you see the connecting cables of the device, and the five drive bays.

The bays are locked with the plastic drive lock tool. To release the drives, use either the provided tool or a screwdriver to turn the drive lock, and pull the metal drive caddy out. The hard drives themselves are held in place on the caddy with screws on both sides, so there is not really a chance of a drive becoming detached once it has been locked. Right above each drive is a small LED, indicating if the bay is occupied. Traveling with your eye towards the bottom, you will find the Gigabit Ethernet network connection, an audio out port, four USB 2.0 sockets plus an eSATA socket for external expansion, and the power socket.

Personally, I am not a fan of “power bricks”; In fact, I was a little bit disappointed when I noticed the external AC adapter. I generally go to great length in trying to reduce clutter and unnecessary cabling. However, thinking about it from LaCie’s perspective, in a business setting, given an AC Adapter failure one can merely exchange adapters without the need to open up the server chassis itself or sending the actual server out for repairs.

The hard disks are easily accessible from the rear of the chassis. The drive trays are numbered 1-5 and may be locked individually. To unlock a HDD tray prior to removal, LaCie included a little drive-lock tool to help turn the lock until the slot is vertical.

Installation (Easy)

The physical, installation of the 5big is as easy as pie. All that needs to be done is to attach the power cable into the wall outlet and networking cables to the router.

The coolest part is when you get to push the big blue eye, which if we have not mentioned it earlier is the power button. As soon as the power turns on, the five drive lights at the back will flash to letting you know the server is waiting to have client PCs connected. Clients connect to the server via the Connector Agent disc, which installs Windows Home Server’s management console on each device, and in order to get to work with a Mac, it first has to be configured for a PC.

After the lights on the back flash each of the five drives will in turn spin, and produce some awkward noises but do not be alarmed it is normal. On an overall noise scale, the device is not loud at all; do expect to hear the slight droning of the fan, but keep in mind this other benefit of the 5big – the low power Intel Atom and EcoGreen drives support low running costs.

Features (Good)

The 5big Backup Server has an array of features such as PC and Mac client backup, file sharing, user management and remote access. Some of these features are provided directly by the Windows Home Server platform whereas additional features such as printer sharing have been added by LaCie.

Backup

Earlier in our review we mentioned that the LaCie 5big Backup Server is efficient when it comes to its power consumption, we are even more excited to inform you that its back up procedures are just as efficient.  The 5big does what is called “incremental” backups meaning that it will check what data is new from the last back up and save those changes accordingly, enhancing storage requirements. While running Windows Home Server software, this server will backup system files and data on up to 10 PCs and/or 25 Mac computers, nightly.

File Sharing and Protection

Windows Home Server makes it stress-free to create and share files and folders across the network. The pre-configured folders include the default user folders, shared music, video, software and photo folders. In addition, it would be a good idea to take advantage of Window Home Server’s duplication capabilities in order to minimize any data loss should one hard drive malfunction.

User Management

Adding and removing users from accessing the server is done via a wizard, which is also used to configure security privileges for remote access and shared folders.

Storage Management

The genius of the 5big is the way the five drives are made to mesh to look like one huge drive. There are no headaches about partitioning the drives; the total hard drive capacity is simply divided into folders. The data is distributed across all drives as evenly as possible to refrain from fill up any single drive too quickly. The magic of this equilibrium is accomplished through Windows Home Server’s Drive Extender.

Remote Access

By simply using a browser with a free yourname.homeserver.com domain, the users can access shared files and folders, and control the server and client PCs remotely from anywhere in the world.

PC Health Monitoring

A useful feature of Windows Home Server is its ability to monitor all connected PCs. The purpose of this vigilance is to alert the administrator of any health issues or security glitches.

Value Added Features

In addition to the standard Microsoft Windows Home Server Connector software, LaCie includes a number of additional applications and add-ins with its 5big.

Enhanced Mac Support

Apple Macintosh clients can access the 5big Backup Server to share data with other computers on the network. In addition, the 5big Backup Server fully supports Mac backups using Apple Time Machine. The Windows Home Server Console only displays the Windows clients on the network. You can manage and monitor Mac clients on a Windows-based workstation using ExtremeZ-IP Administrator. Group Logic ExtremeZ-IP makes it possible for Macs and PCs to work together seamlessly on a Windows based network.

Features of Group Logic ExtremeZ-IP include:

Eliminate incompatibilities that Macs encounter when using traditional Windows SMB files shares, including:

• Elimination of ‘dot underscore’ files
• Support for Mac file ‘resource forks’
• Proper handling of long file names
• The ability to browse DFS namespaces
• Compatibility with Mac OS 9 through the latest OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

Integrate into a wide variety of Windows environments, including:

• Windows 2003 and 2008 servers
• Microsoft Clustering
• Active Directory
• Distributed File System (DFS)*
• Windows ACL permissions
• Network-based Home Directories
• Kerberos single sign-on authentication.
• Provide the Mac technologies your users expect, including:
• AFP file server access
• Network Spotlight
• Time Machine
• Bonjour resource discovery
• Auto-configuration of network printers

Stayed tuned for Part 2, where we will cover additional topics and dive deeper into the LaCie 5big Backup Windows Home Server.