Zalman Virtual Drive. Zalman ZM-VE350: Overview of External Boxing for HDD
The kit is the aluminum ZM-VE300 case, a thick carrying case, a USB 3.0 cable, installation CD with programs, a brief manual of the user and a small screwdriver with bolt for fixing the hard disk.
Zalman ZM-VE300 has a spectacular design: a lightweight aluminum case with plastic inserts on the sides, a small LCD screen, which displays the status of the disk. On the top of the face there is an activity indicator, a socket for connecting a USB cable and the button "Backup". In addition, on the left side of the boxing there is a three-position joystick-wheel, with which almost all actions are performed. Two-color activity indicator. White color is used to indicate the operation in USB 2.0 mode, blue - in USB 3.0 mode.
In order to install a hard disk in the Zalman ZM-VE300, you need to pull the top board with the display and connect the disk itself to it. Then insert the resulting design to the aluminum case.
Of the three tried 2.5 "Zalman ZM-VE300 disks refused to work with one, the other two took normally. Some regularity in his preferences I did not find, and how it became clear from the reviews in different Internet, this problem did not have one. So, probably, it is better to have several different discs ready.
When the disk is installed and the performance is checked, it is necessary to fix it. Begun the seal from the sides of the case, the holes for the bolts are hidden under them. As I said, bolts and a small screwdriver are included, so there should be no problems with fastener. But back the seal does not want to get up, as it is made of solid plastic and after the flexion begins to hang out. A trifle, of course, but the impression spoils. The seal from ordinary rubber here would look more harmonious.
In the first models of Zalman ZM-VE300, the firmware allowed only with disks formatted in FAT32, to support the NTFS file system, it was necessary to put an alternative firmware from the similar device - IODD-2531. In the new parties, the firmware is already more recently, NTFS disks are perfectly supported with it without additional televitations. You can download the latest firmware version and the program you need to update on the offset.
Zm.ve300.firmware.upgrade.r1288n.zip (343,728 bytes)
In order to install the firmware from iodd-2531 on Zalman-VE300, it will be necessary to modify the firmware program slightly. I adjusted the latest firmware version. After installing it, the device is defined in the system as iodd, but it will not work from this worse. On the contrary, all new chips from iodd-2531 will be added to the functionality, which in the official firmware Zalman-VE300 is not foreseen.
iodd.2531.to.zm.ve300.firmware.upgrade.r1600n.zip (345,755 bytes)
The entrance to the menu and the output from it occurs when the side switch is pressed for more than 3 seconds. Move the menu and selection of items is performed by a joystick, return to the previous level - "Backup" button.
- Main menu:
- Mode Select. - Installing the device mode
- Setting. - Setting the brightness of the LCD and Sleeping Mode
- Information - Viewing information about HDD and firmware version
- USB Connect. - Setting up USB connections
- Advanced - Configure Virtual HDD Connection
- Menu "Mode Select":
- Dual Mode. - Work in combined mode, external HDD and virtual drive DVD-ROM / Blu-Ray
- ODD Mode. or CD Mode. (For iodd firmware) - work only in DVD-ROM / Blu-Ray mode (this mode is usually used when installing OS)
- HDD Mode. - The device is defined only as an external HDD (this mode is used when connected to other devices, in addition to PCs)
- Menu "SETTING":
- LCD Bright - Adjustment of the brightness of the LCD backlight
- Idle Bright - Adjusting the highlighting of the LCD screen in sleep mode
- Standby Time. - Setting the transition time to sleep mode
- Load Default. - return to default values
- "INFORMATION" menu:
- S.M.A.R.T. - Information S.M.A.R.T.
- HDD Model - Display the name of the hard disk model
- HDD Serial - Display the serial number of the hard disk
- Firmware ver. - Display the firmware version
- USB Speed. - Display the Type of Current Connection (USB2.0: Hi-Speed, USB3.0: Super-Speed)
- USB Input Volt. - Display the lowest input voltage over the USB port after connecting to the PC and the current input voltage
- Menu "S.M.A.R.T":
- HDD Temp. - Display HDD temperature
- HDD Health - Display the HDD state (Good, Warning, Bad). If you appear Warning or Bad, then immediately back up all data and check the HDD
- Menu "USB CONNECT":
- Refresh. - reconnect device to PC
- Safe Removal - Safe device extraction
- Menu "Advanced":
- Umount vhdd. - unmount all images of discs and floppy disks
- Write Protect. - Enable or disable recording protection
- Instant Save. - remember image immediately after its choice (only in iodd firmware)
- Force USB 3.0. - USB 3.0 priority operation (only in iodd firmware)
In the documentation, it is not specified by anywhere, but the experimental way is established that in the "_iso" folder at the same time there should be no more than 32 images, otherwise the Zalman ZM-VE300 will give the message "Too Many Files". This can be easily bypass by creating nested folders, although it remains to limit on 32 files in each of them. There are alternative firmware, where there is no such restriction, but personally, my whole needed set of distributions was put in a dozen files. By the way, as a cheaper alternative to Zalman ZM-VE300, unscrupulous vendors can offer you a housing for hard drives brand Konoos.. Such a replacement is not equal, since the younger models of Konoos enclosures support only one image, and more trusted - only three. Naturally, on the websites of online stores it is modestly silent.
Included with Zalman ZM-VE300 there is a backup utility for backup. It is recorded on the CD, but the fresh version is always available on the offset. As you can guess, it is based on backup copies of the selected files and folders from the computer to the external hard drive in the Zalman ZM-VE300. In the program, set the necessary paths, then on the box, press the "Backup" button and the utility copies the information on the box.
But this is not all she knows how. With Backup Utility, you can create virtual disks, and then save them to the "_iso" folder on an external hard drive. With virtual disks it is worth understanding better. "Virtual HDD" is empty files of the specified size with the possibility of connecting them as external drives. Naturally, Zalman ZM-VE300 is responsible for connecting and functioning the emulation.
With the function "Safe Removal", too, everything should be clear. You can safely disable Zalman ZM-VE300 by pressing the wheel or the "Backup" button on the device itself, and you can do it on the computer's initiative through this Backup Utility function.
And so in the system displays physical hard drives and virtual drives connected or created using Zalman ZM-VE300.
Returning to the topic about installing Windows XP on HP Mini 210-1130er netbook. The inconvenience of the installation of the system from the flash drive and steel for me the last argument to buy Zalman ZM-VE300. After his acquisition, I conducted an experiment: I recorded the prepared image on an external hard drive, put a clean hard drive in a netbook, then mounted an image on a virtual CD and tried to install the system. As I expected, everything went successfully.
The instruction that comes in the kit is very scarce. All that can be found from it, it is where to mount the bolts and how to install softyn for a backup. On the Internet there are instructions in electronic form, even translated into Russian, but in essence they do not differ from the paper option. According to rumors, full documentation is available in Korean, but it is hardly to help. So you have to be content with what is.
Zalman.zm.ve300.manual.rus.zip (546,663 bytes)
Zalman.zm.ve300.manual.eng.zip (492,463 bytes)
Since the instructions are short enough, and they are not described all the possibilities of Zalman ZM-VE300. When preparing this review, I have selected from different sources and systematized useful tips and undocumented functions. All other possible problems are described in detail at the IXBT conference.
- If you hold the "Backup" button when the device is connected, the recording is turned on.
- If you connect the joystick to hold down when connected, the recording from recording is removed, and the device switches to "DUAL MODE" mode.
- If when connected to hold the joystick wheel up, the "ODD MODE" mode is installed.
- If when connected to hold the joystick wheel down, the "HDD MODE" mode is installed.
- If you turn down and hold the joystick wheel while working, the device will be safely disabled. The same will happen if you press and hold the "Backup" button.
- If you turn up and hold the joystick wheel while working, the "_ISO" folder will be reteigned and the list of images available in it is updated. It is very convenient if new images were recorded in the "Dual Mode" or "HDD Mode" mode.
- In order for Zalman VE-300 to remember the last mounted image, it must be safely disabled. Set the desired image, press and hold the "Backup" or wheel button, wait for the "Data Saving ..." message and disable the disk from the computer. After that, Zalman VE-300 will start with the selected manner.
- To unmount the image of a floppy disk or a drive with "Virtual HDD", you need to go to the "End of List" item and hold down the wheel for 3 seconds.
- When connected to a stationary computer, it is better to use USB ports that are behind the system unit, and not on the front panel.
- If the hard disk installed in the housing is divided into several sections, the section with the "_iso" folder must be Primary.
- It is not recommended to install SSD discs in Zalman ZM-VE300, as they are more sensitive to insufficient nutrition, which is supplied via USB, and may fail.
To defragment files and catalogs it is the most convenient to use the free WinContig program. Its main feature is a quick defragment of individual files without the need to defragment the entire disk. Just run WinContig, select one or more image files and defragmentation, after that the Zalman ZM-VE300 is calm everything mounted.
What can I say as a summary of the results? Zalman ZM-VE300 is a very cool thing that justifies its cost to a penny. Now once and forever, a problem with the preparation of installation flash drives, a pack of CD / DVD disks with different distributions, all remains in the past. The Zalman ZM-VE300 will be an excellent helper with system administrators and advanced users who have often to rearrange the system or use various boot discs.
Despite all the advantages, it was not without flaws. Neither in the instructions nor offsy there is no list of recommended models of hard drives that work with Zalman ZM-VE300. In the extreme case, it would be possible to specify the recommended characteristics, such as amperage and the speed of rotation so that you can independently choose the desired model, but there is no this information anywhere. The USB cable from the kit is short and very hard, because of this, with frequent use there is a threat of damage to the housing connector. It would not hurt to envisage and additional power so that the Zalman ZM-VE300 can be connected to old computers. Of course, no one bothers to find and purchase the right cable, but it is strange that the manufacturer made such a wonderful device and saved on a penny cable. Judging by the reviews, some hard drives have to additionally put the seal in the case so that the disk does not hang inside. In my case, this was not needed, but generally agree that the fastening system could be thought out better. Otherwise, I am very pleased with the acquisition.
Upd.. After a rapid death of the Zalman ZM-VE300 (connected to a problem system, and there is a breakdown of electricity to a USB port), acquired the original IODD-2531. So, there are no problems described with seals. They are sufficient length and have at the end of the "horns" that are refined under the side plugs and hold perfectly. In Zalman, these "horns" are also there, but the sealant itself is shorter, as a result they turn out to be useless. The cable is also long and flexible. That's just the case at iodd uncomfortable - soft. Replaced it to the liberated Case from Zalman. So it makes sense to acquire original iodd devices, and not copied replicas.
The external hard disk today has become one of the essential items for everyone, whose activity is somehow related to the maintenance of PC. The choice of discs and containers is great - on any color, taste and wallet. However, there are solutions that are noticeably allocated in the general range, one of them can be called an external container Zalman ZM-VE300 which, except for the external disk function, can perform the role of an optical disk drive emulator.
This makes it possible to kill two hares, as the external ODD drive and the disk stack to it is the same subject matter for sysadmins, service engineers and simply computer enthusiasts. Installation discs with OS, various service and diagnostic Live-CDs - as a result, we will get a rather impressive list of disks that you need to always have with you, and important discs are not in one instance. Otherwise, it will be very unpleasant when, in the most responsible moment, the "brought" disk will refuse to read.
But first things first. At first glance, the cost Zalman ZM-VE300 It may seem highly overpriced, give about 2000 rubles for an external container without HDD, albeit from the famous manufacturer, it is somehow too, for this money you can safely take a good outer disk. But this is only at first glance, as we will see on, the device fully justifies its price.
The container in the medium-sized cardboard box is supplied, on which the manufacturer emphasized the main advantages of the device.
It's obvious that Zalman ZM-VE300 In a virtual drive mode, any existing optical drive existing today is significantly ahead. Even in USB 2.0 mode, which is the main one, when using this container as a boot disk, only Windows 8 can be downloaded via USB 3.0, and it is not always successful, since USB 3.0 controllers of different manufacturers have their own characteristics.
To evaluate the work of a virtual drive as a bootable, we compared the launch time of LiveCD Ubuntu 13.0, writing it to a new DVD + R disk.
Optical drives showed quite expected results: the slowest - external drive, internal slightly faster. Zalman ZM-VE300 Once again, I showed a significant separation - loading the image in less than a minute. This is a really great result, which will appreciate those who have to often load a PC with optical disks.
conclusions
We are truly an excellent product that fully justifies its price. The main advantage is a virtual optical drive, which will allow you to refuse to use optical disks and external drives. In addition, the virtual drive allows you to work with disk images much faster than any optical drive. All does it Zalman ZM-VE300 An indispensable assistant administrators, service engineers and simply computer enthusiasts.
I quickly became one of the most necessary and useful devices. Owners of such boxes will understand me, gets used to good.
Shortly after the purchase, the loading flash drives almost went into the past, to the earlier BootCD earlier and already forgotten floppy disks. It seemed that the question of the best device for the installations of the OS and other actions associated with the load from the external drive, no longer arise for a long time. But not passed and years as appeared ZM-VE300. from the same manufacturer. Although it did not come across to this computers with USB 3.0 ports ( i know that no first year is released), I could not help but use the case to evaluate the VE300.
First glance
External appearance and equipment almost the same as the predecessor. The aluminum case itself is identical, only here on the top, connected to the part of the part, instead of the write protection switch - the Backup button, and instead of the MINI USB_B and ESATA nockets - one USB 3.0 Micro_B.
Included with ZM-VE300 USB 3.0 Cable A - USB 3.0 Micro_B, a disk with software, a brief instruction in English and "micro-microboles".
The screen is also both on the ZM-VE200, but instead of constant disk temperature display shows the connection mode.
Temperature You can see by selecting the SMART options in the View menu (there is only the temperature yes the storage status, "good" in my case). In general, the menu is more extensive than previously.
Speed
The first thing, of course, was interested in recording / reading speeds, for comparison, with the previous model.
Such a system was collected for tests:
The disc was on the third is filled with different files, the tests were performed by the Atto Disk Benchmark utility.
ZM-VE300 connected through USB 2.0 Port and through USB 3.0..
ZM-VE200 connected through USB 2.0 Port and through Esata..
A somewhat unexpected was the difference in the rate of data exchange with VE300 and VE200 connected to the same USB 2.0 port, with the same hard disk.
The difference between USB 3.0 and ESATA - it seems to be insignificant, but here you do not need to forget about some things:
* eSATA on VE200 - no power, so it is required that the USB cable is connected. The most annoying, via ESATA cannot be downloaded a computer from a virtual image, it is only for copying files.
* USB 3.0 when loading requires the driver, present far from each LiveCD image. Even if the image itself is loaded, it will not be access to the disk itself in Zalmane. Therefore, these drivers are or integrated into the image in advance, or load along the way.
If you have drivers, download / installation / work via USB 3.0 is very fast. Feeling as if you work with an internal disk of a computer and not with external via USB. Even large, WIM images are loaded for some seconds. Installing Windows 8 occurs in a few minutes ( did not kill but it seems no more than ten). Working with Knoppix DVD is solid pleasure.
Virtual disks and software
Product utility and can be downloaded from the official site Zalman / so came due to non-disk drive. From there you can also download a manual in format.pdf and fresh firmware that are stitched, unlike appling the ISO file, directly from Windows execution of the EXE file.
The main window backuputility is triggered from Treya or when you press the button on the housing.
To work with the Backup Utility program, you need to install it in Windows to which VE300 will be connected. The Backup button on the device causes this program. And then the program must be launched, with administrator rights. If in the backup settings, specify the contents of which folder of the host OS to go to Zalman to backup, and set the Automatic Backup to the ON position, then copying should happen without the appearance of the window.
Actually, a slightly disappointed with the need to pre-install the utility on the host OS. I wanted to save the client's bank-client imperceptibly :).
The most deserving attention, in my opinion, the button - Virtual HDD. In the window, you can create diskettes (* .ima), flash drives (* .rmd) and partitions or fully hard drives (* .dsk). These virtual disks can then be mapped by ZalMan by selecting their "_iso".
You can work with confined virtual disks as well as usual, that is, to record files on them, split into partitions, format them into any file systems, make them bootable ... experimented through any Paragon Partition Manager.
With buttery images, you can download the computer by selecting the corresponding device in the BIOS Setup or Boot Menu. Those. USB FDD for * .ima, USB-ZIP for * .rmd or USB-HDD for * .dsk. Although the collisions may occur here.
Interestingly, as soon as any disk image is not CD / DVD / Bluray, the Zalman physical disk itself becomes readable.
In the screenshot:
* Disc 1 (i) - "Virtual Section HDD", File.dsk
* Disc 2 (h) - "Virtual Flashka", file.rmd
* Disc 3 (Q) - "Main Disk" Zalman
* CD-ROM 0 (F) - "Virtual BD-ROM", File.iso
TOTAL
Having worked out with ZM-VE300 for several days, hurried to return it to the owner. Enough for me. Too addictive thing, while VE200 was not happy. And USB 3.0 today will infrequently meet. In short, I do not need. The desire now is already there :) But the win. I consider the high price justifiable, let Zalman be welded while competitors are clicked with beaks, his right.
The total boring of the optical drive market under the onslaught of external hard drives and flash drives is due to quite objective reasons, but it also leads to some unpleasant side effects. In particular, the software is still actively sold on CD and DVD, so that its installation on computers, devoid drives, becomes not always a trivial task. Of course, often installation packages can be simply copied to that very truck, but it is uncomfortable with a huge number of small files trite uncomfortable. The best way to solve the problem is to use images, since each disk turns into one file, and you can put them on one small drive. However, it is necessary to make a convenient solution to the problem of subsequent use. Translated from the stationery to Russian, the computer will require a installed program to work with recorded images. And what if it is "someone else's" computer, where is it not? Or, worse, there is no system at all, which is just required to install? Microsoft, of course, offers a Windows 7 utility from the disk to the flash drive (or another USB drive), but this operating system is not limited to this operating system. And there are still all sorts of special disks for diagnosing or restoring the system, and just a LiveCD for acquaintance with various operatingers, etc. In general, when all this was recorded on the CD, it was easier - inserted the drive into the drive, and that's it. If necessary, just booted from it. Moreover, from any ready-made disc, the benefit of all products do not depend on each other and do not need to prepare the loading flash drive every time (not to mention the fact that not all by correctly transfers the relocation with the CD to the USB drive).
Is there a convenient way to solve all these problems? Now it is. It is even strange that he appeared so late, although the problem became relevant for a long time. And it is doubly strange that the decision of the questions raised is not someone from the old participants of the foreign drives market, and Zalman, more famous for its coolers and other related goods (although in fact the original developer is actually different here, as often happens But he is unknown to generally generally). Now here is a breakthrough to a completely different market. Moreover, the solution to the problem using ISO images on any system is one of the main features of ZM-VE200, but not the only dignity. What makes a desire to get acquainted with the product closer.
Design
Even externally, the device is slightly different from most "typical" external modules, although it has the same design. The case with dimensions of 135.3 × 78.6 × 13.1 mm and a mass of 98.5 grams for the most part is made of anodized aluminum and can have black or silver color. Completely, even if not exclusively :)
But a small monochrome LCD displacer in the top of the front surface is an unusual element. But very useful, although its main task is only the choice of a "working" image (which is done using JOG-DIAL on the left side of the box), which will be mounted on a virtual optical drive. However, besides this, the screen allows you to get information about the installed disk, its temperature (as it does not have enough in "ordinary" boxes to many paranoids!), Operation mode, firmware version (it can be updated), etc.
All other active elements are traditionally focused on one of the short ends and include ESATA and USB Mini-B connectors, as well as the recording lock slider. The archiving thing for a person engaged in service computers (and just often walking on suspicious places) - you can not worry to catch and carry some infection with you. In general, one last plus support for two interfaces and, to a lesser extent, the built-in diagnostic tools is already enough for the product to become interesting for acquisition. And after all, we have not reached the main feature! So far, we only note that if ISO-image support and the ESATA interface are not required, you can safely save, purchasing the ZM-HE100 model: recording from recording is equipped and it is also.
Contents of delivery
In a box with a device, besides it, you can also detect a pair of interface cables (USB and ESATA), 50 cm each, a couple of bolts for reliable fixation of the assembled drive, miniature screwdriver to twist / unscrewing and protective cover from the leak. The design of the latter allows the use of hard drive without removing from the cover, although if a long continuous work is planned, it is still from sin to extract it to the outside - cooling will be better. And one more element of the kit is a transparent film, with dimensions of approximately with Winchester - puts in a dead end, as it turned out, very many buyers who cannot find the scope of application for it, and in the manual this question is not worked out :) In fact, we have an example The touching concern for Zalman designers about trifles - it should be under the hard drive and put it. Justification Simple: The box itself is made of aluminum, i.e. it conducts an electric current, and an open printed circuit board is located on the "trouser" of the hard drive, so that theoretically, something may unsuccessfully closer, and it will fail.
Functionality
And now, finally, we got to the most tasty. A spoon of tar, however, it turns out that in "high-speed" mode (i.e., when connecting to a computer using ESATA), no additional to the simple copying and storage of data does not have the device. The display simply displays "ESATA MODE", and that's it. Even, by the way, the ability to learn the current temperature of the disk disappears.
So in order to fully enjoy the "features", you should connect a box to a computer using USB. And it should be a daddy with the name "_iso", in which ISO images should be lying in an amount not exceeding 32 pieces (by the way, when using the firmware earlier than 61F dated April 29, it also uses on the file system disk NTFS - FAT32 and EXFAT have been added only in it).
If all this is observed, we get the choice of one of the three modes of operation, and the current is shown on the display: HDD MODEANOGO ESATA mode (and 99% of external modules and ready-made freedoms on the market), the device works as a banal external hard drive.odd Mode in this mode For the VE-200 system, it looks like a USB CD / DVD / BD-ROM, which is set by one of the "Disc folder". What specifically the ISO image will be mounted - you can select manually using the wheels on the left side, controlling the process by changing the file names. Unfortunately, in addition to the above, they will have to "call" short names and not to use the symbols of Cyrillic: long trimmed, and symbols that are not related to the Latin alphabetics are displayed spaces. However, it is difficult to consider it such a serious limitation. For particularly inquisitive tuning lovers briefly hint that the problem of Russification, as well as the extension of the list of supported types of disks images (justice for the sake of each exotic), can be solved using the firmware, but at your own risk ... Yes, and to flash it instead of "native" It should not be too trivial (but as they look in the network for themselves;)). Dual Modecompilation of the two modes described above: the external module connected to the computer generates two devices - and VZH, and optics. Accordingly, we get access to all stored files (and, as already mentioned above, it can be limited only to reading, which is very useful when working on a stranger potentially unsafe computer), as well as the ability to work with ISO images.
The latter is possible in two modes. The first and easiest, namely mounting images when the operating system loaded, works fine always and does not cause any problems. Thus, you can throw out all the CD and DVDs stored at home with distributions, pre-"Running" them in images. You will not interfere with 32 files to this very much - after all, images can be stored in different folders (type "ISO_OFFICE_PROGRAM", "ISO_Linux", "ISO_Windows_System", "ISO_Games", etc.) simply renaming the necessary in "_iso" before use. More serious restriction, perhaps, it will be that this format is not quite suitable (or does not fit at all) to store some toy protected from copying. But here there are no complaints about Zalman - the company has not planned to encourage piracy. Yes, and to systemic, such disks do not include, so it is quite possible to work with them in the old manner - using software virtual CDs.
For the systemic disks (from different Linux distributions to all sorts of "resuscitatives"), another user scenario is most relevant, namely the download from the virtual CD drive! Here with her, we admit honestly, not everything is smooth. As practice has shown, similar virtual drives does not support the considerable amount of Intel motherboards (more precisely, used by BIOS version), and not only sold in a separate version, but also found in laptops. This problem concerns not only ZM-VE200 - we have come across it and, for example, experiencing Silicon Power Ultima 155 where the controller is clearly different. So the guilty should be searched among programmers who worked on the download module (the problem is manifested only at this stage), but it is natural, it does not become easier. However, most of the tested computers are devoid of such problems - the loading from the virtual drive passes in the same way as with usual: just choose it in the BIOS or (which is available on most modern motherboards) to use a special boot menu. Accordingly, it is possible to establish any operating system - not necessarily the one-calculated use (which is true for Windows 7) and without any traditional dancing with tambourine and from third-party programs (which are needed for such installation Windows XP). At the same time, in contrast to flash drives, some of which support the selection of part of the disk space for a virtual CD, it is not necessary to be limited to only one system - "boot" discs can be several. You just need to choose the one that will want - and there will be a special LiveCD for the repair system or Windows 95 boot disk, the drive (and computer) does not matter :)
Testing technique
The question arises - did all this developed functionality affected how the Winchester received after the installation of the Winchester will cope with traditional tasks, such as storing and transferring information? That is why we have been subjected to traditional testing. The technique is described in detail in a separate article . There you can get acquainted with the configuration of the test bench, and with the software used. The only change is instead of the Seagate Momentus 5400.5 Winchester used in the tests traditionally used in the tests, from the point of view of modernity is already too small and slow, we decided to take the SEAGATE top model: Momentus XT ST95005620AS. . It is clear that for an external hard disk, this drive with a speed of rotation of the plates of 7200 rpm and an additional flash buffer is redundant (especially since it is so twice as much as the "conventional powder" of the same capacity, and 750 GB in the traditional Performance can be purchased cheaper), but in this case you can be exactly confident that it will not become a "bottleneck". Yes, and we will compare the subject with rapid two interface models.
Competitors
As the latter we took recently tested Verbatim Store'n'Go. (with SAMSUNG HM500JI by 500 GB inside) and Seagate FreeAgent Goflex (Inside Momentus 5400.6 ST9500325AS per 500 GB) with a "regular" interface module (supporting USB 2.0) and Power ESATA UPGRADE CABLE. Despite the fact that Goflex does not provide versatility in a light way (to go from USB 2.0 to ESATA and back to change the interface module), it is one of the few (as well as Verbatim drive) supporting ESATA modification with power, which is somewhat better than a pair of cables VE-200, what the latter can be restored. But you can not find fault :)
Lavalys Everest 5.0.
As for the speed of data transmission over the interface, then the Zalman product has nothing to boast - regardless of the interface, it is behind the competitors. Let's see how it affects the more close to the practical use of tests.
Iometer.
But on random operations, where it is determined by the installed inside the Winchester, the kit we assemble easily and not tightening unconditionally takes first place.
Intel Nas Performance Toolkit
Fast hard drive in a bundle with ESATA allows VE-200 unsuccessfully fighting for leadership, but it is worth moving to a more common USB 2.0, as it immediately begins to lag behind competitors.
A similar position is also developing during data recording. However, is it worth it to be very upset? Yes, of course, about 20% of the lag is a lot, however, the external module supports not only USB 2.0. So it is enough to simply use ESATA - this option is faster than USB, at times. And regardless of the implementation;)
If, of course, to lease to the use of EDA to transfer information, and not as a "working" drive - here it is not corrected by a quick interface. Alas, but this is the fee for a functional-complex controller.
Prices
The table contains devices in Moscow, relevant at the time of reading this article:
| Zalman ZM-VE200 |
| N / d (0) |
TOTAL
If you try, a whole list of claims can be presented to Zalman Ve-200: there is no support for USB 3.0, ESATA without meals, performance is lower than it could be. All this is so ...
However, real and potential disadvantages are more than compensated for truly unique functionality! In principle, as we have already said, initially, this is not the development of Zalman, but since the company managed to see a good idea and become the main global seller of its implementation, the reward, as it seems to us, will be quite at :) really - the need for something like that has long been Vitala In the air, since it is often the only task that the optical drive performs in a modern computer is to install the operating system. Or some service events. In general, for the sake of episodic loading to keep such a device (despite its low price) in the farm it becomes uninteresting. In the face of the ZM-VE200, we get a very convenient and fast CD / DVD-ROM in addition to the Code and the productive external hard disk. Moreover, all the disadvantages of the second functional component are not critical - on the background until now, well-sold trucks, equipped with one USB 2.0, it demonstrates a completely different level of performance in successful conditions;) that only exacerbates recording protection support, which, judging by our conference For many users of mobile external drives, forced to work with them and potentially unsafe computers are very relevant. And to the first complaints there is no, if you compare it with, for example, a USB drive. Immediately everything in one. Perhaps, of course, the price will disgregate some potential individual buyers, however, in the economy of a sysadmin, a service engineer or a present enthusiast of computer equipment such a box, as it seems to us, will be a thing indispensable.
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