The My Net N900 Central is a combination
dual-band wireless-n router/network-attached storage (NAS) unit. It comes with
a fixed internal 1TB hard drive, four gigabit Ethernet Ports and a USB 2.0 port
for storage or a printer. It’s at the top end Western Digital’s My Net range of
home routers, the company’s first major foray into the network space.
Software setup is simple using browser or
CD – we used the CD, which stepped us through the process in a couple of
minutes.
The browser-based interface has all the
options you’d expect, such as guest networks (on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz), port
forwarding, firewall, and so on. The UI is a little simpler and more polished
than many routers we’ve tested, and has a useful notifications system that
tells you when something needs your attention.
IPv6 is supported – given the slow uptake
of the standard by consumers and vendors alike, it’s a point in the My Net N900
Central’s favor.
Network speeds were reasonable over 5GHz
wireless-n at a range of one metre, we achieved an average of 171Mbit/s, peak
227Mbit/s, dropping to 150Mbit/s average, 219Mbit/s peak at five metres.
NAS speeds were more subdued – 1 GB files
over gigabit Ethernet averaged 15.6MByte/s read and 15.9Mbyte/s write. Over
5GHz Wi-Fi at rage of five metres, that dropped to 9.5Mbyte/s read and
9.8Mbyte/s write. Collections of 1000x1MB files yielded slower results;
9.0Mbyte/s read and 6.3MByte/s write over Ethernet, 5.6 MByte/s read and
4.4MByte/s write over 5GHz Wi-Fi.
In all cases, this was significantly slower
than our 2011 Editor’s Choice NAS, the Synology DS211j, which was five times
faster for 1GB files and nearly ten times faster for 1MB files.
The WD 2 go service offers remote access,
with the WD2go.com website via login and password acting as middle-man between
your router and the internet. Browsing and downloading files requires Java, and
access was to slow to watch streaming 720p video, but that’s likely caused by
our narrow upload bandwidth rather than a fault with the service. Mobile apps
provide access to shared files (WD2Go) and stored photos (WDphoto) DLNA can be
used to access music or video. Western Digital’s My Net N900 Central has
friendly QoS and remote access features, and provides the convenience of NAS
without complicated setup. It can’t offer the same performance or advanced
sharing. Still, it’s a good option for backing up multiple PCs, and sharing
files between devices on a network, requiring little technical expertise.
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At a glance
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Dual-band wireless n router (2.4 & 5GHz)
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Four gigabit Ethernet ports
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Internal 1 TB hard drive
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Remote access and mobile apps
Western Digital My Net N900 Central
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Price: $550 (1TB), $650 (2TB)
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Contact: www.wdc.com
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Not a revolutionary or top-performing device,
but a functional, simplified combination of router and NAS for home users.
Value: 8/10
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