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- First reviewMarch 17, 2016
- Last reviewMarch 17, 2016
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- First review commentMarch 22, 2016
- Last review commentMarch 22, 2016
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DrPaul's Reviews
This WD My Cloud drive features a 4TB capacity and lets you stream media to compatible DLNA-/UPnP-capable devices or upload and access data on the go via PC, Mac and compatible mobile phones and tablets. Automatic backup helps safeguard your files.
Customer Rating
1
Do not do this to someone you care about
on March 17, 2016
Posted by: DrPaul
First note that I regularly RELY on WD products. I buy enough hard drives for clients, customers, field work, etc. that I have real stats on different producers ... and WD is typically superior value for the money. NOTHING I say here should detract from WDs other products.
In short however, this product is so naïve on so many levels that a detailed review is probably beyond the scope of an entry here. By naïve, I mean it will kind of work (provided you don't really try to do too much with it). Once you put a lot of files on it, the re-boot process (which naively scans EVERYTHING seemingly EVERY TIME) can take HOURS [be prepared to let it run over night, before it is "fully" functional.
The web interface is naïve in that it stores copies of the shares on your local C drive (USING UP LOTS OF C-drive space) -- like what is the point of having a network drive if all the files are also copied to your c-drive?
The FTP access is not standard -- and sends the password to the share in the clear. Thus I have yet to figure out how to use SFTPDrive (or similar programs) with this.
SSH access is very limited -- and tunneling seems to leave you locked into the box (can't access the rest of the network).
You can map the drive to a letter drive ... IF you are on the local network. HOWEVER they actually have stuff in there to detected if you are coming from outside the network, and they won't let you map it to a letter drive, if you are coming from outside the network. Of course the solution would be to VPN into the drive ... but the OPENVPN running on the drive, seem to be allocated for only the drive to use for accessing the web interface -- i.e., no native user accessible VPN.
More than one person can't access a share at the same time.
The cloud access requires a UNIQUE email address for each share -- so it is not even real cloud access. AND you cannot open multiple shares simultaneously on the same computer (the web interface is also very naïve).
NET: If you are ONLY going to give this **LIGHT** use and NOT put a lot of files on it -- and if you are VERY VERY PATIENT ... it will probably work for you.
HOWEVER, if you think you are getting a NAS DRIVE ... well it may play the part of a NAS drive in its own fantasies -- but it is not a real NAS drive.
Likewise, given all the non-standard features, bad documentation, etc. trying to REALLY use this drive will quickly become VERY frustrating. The drive will tease you: Promising to deliver ... and then maybe it won't.
Bottom line: If someone you care about is expecting to REALLY use this drive or depend on it -- DO NOT DO IT. You may eventually have to choose between retiring the drive or the relationship.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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DrPaul's Review Comments
This WD My Cloud drive features a 4TB capacity and lets you stream media to compatible DLNA-/UPnP-capable devices or upload and access data on the go via PC, Mac and compatible mobile phones and tablets. Automatic backup helps safeguard your files.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Do not do this to someone you care about
By DrPaul
First note that I regularly RELY on WD products. I buy enough hard drives for clients, customers, field work, etc. that I have real stats on different producers ... and WD is typically superior value for the money. NOTHING I say here should detract from WDs other products.
In short however, this product is so naïve on so many levels that a detailed review is probably beyond the scope of an entry here. By naïve, I mean it will kind of work (provided you don't really try to do too much with it). Once you put a lot of files on it, the re-boot process (which naively scans EVERYTHING seemingly EVERY TIME) can take HOURS [be prepared to let it run over night, before it is "fully" functional.
The web interface is naïve in that it stores copies of the shares on your local C drive (USING UP LOTS OF C-drive space) -- like what is the point of having a network drive if all the files are also copied to your c-drive?
The FTP access is not standard -- and sends the password to the share in the clear. Thus I have yet to figure out how to use SFTPDrive (or similar programs) with this.
SSH access is very limited -- and tunneling seems to leave you locked into the box (can't access the rest of the network).
You can map the drive to a letter drive ... IF you are on the local network. HOWEVER they actually have stuff in there to detected if you are coming from outside the network, and they won't let you map it to a letter drive, if you are coming from outside the network. Of course the solution would be to VPN into the drive ... but the OPENVPN running on the drive, seem to be allocated for only the drive to use for accessing the web interface -- i.e., no native user accessible VPN.
More than one person can't access a share at the same time.
The cloud access requires a UNIQUE email address for each share -- so it is not even real cloud access. AND you cannot open multiple shares simultaneously on the same computer (the web interface is also very naïve).
NET: If you are ONLY going to give this **LIGHT** use and NOT put a lot of files on it -- and if you are VERY VERY PATIENT ... it will probably work for you.
HOWEVER, if you think you are getting a NAS DRIVE ... well it may play the part of a NAS drive in its own fantasies -- but it is not a real NAS drive.
Likewise, given all the non-standard features, bad documentation, etc. trying to REALLY use this drive will quickly become VERY frustrating. The drive will tease you: Promising to deliver ... and then maybe it won't.
Bottom line: If someone you care about is expecting to REALLY use this drive or depend on it -- DO NOT DO IT. You may eventually have to choose between retiring the drive or the relationship.
DrPaul
Dallas, Houston, LA, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, NYC, Maine
The WD Response Actually makes the point: Bad Driv
March 22, 2016
NOTE: I am more tech savvy then the average person (I get called on to fix problems other can't) -- and I bought this drive for a relative (eventually set them up with a different product while I tried to learn more about this -- because the promise is a nice concept; but the delivery was negatively inspiring).
1) I have spent HOURS on the help line, out of generosity to you-all, -- one should not have to call a help line to do basic stuff (include a how-to cook book, or follow established standards)
2) While one can use the native windows (et al) systems to map a share to a drive letter and then play -- you can only do this from the local net work. Your help line claims this is not possible from outside the local network (Now I know that is not exactly true: standard FTP servers let you do such things using standard protocols -- but you-all don't follow the standards so hacking is involved -- NOT COOL!)
3) Should not have to use special "productivity" software. Sure that is a "nice to have". Same can be said for the "mirror" service. But like the concept of Maslow's hierarchy of needs the point is you first have to have the basic's working smoothly -- enable multiple people to map to a share to drive letter and then play. and if you don't want to let people VPN in to the drive -- well then play friendly with SFTP-Drive or some other standard software that will enable what you-all should have done.
Bottom line: A) I am a fan of WD products and WILL CONTINUE to buy LOTS of WD products (I spend a lot of money, and send a lot of money your way every year). You all make many solid products and nothing here should take away from your overall brand quality. B) ON THIS PRODUCT DO NOT CONSIDER JUST MY REVIEW -- THERE ARE A LOT OF BAD REVIEWS OUT THERE. At some point in life, there comes a moment when one stops making excuses and stops blaming everyone else for not understanding them (I.e., spending enough time with Customer Support or for not reading this or that briefing to learn how your drive uniquely manages XYZ), and one looks at oneself and says "what could I have done better?" In that moment, the universe changes around the person that does that.
Free Consulting moment (that typically would cost people a lot of money): Consider making this product rock on the basics first (Drive letter mapping from both local lan and external/remote; quick reboots -- and if in an extensive maintenance routine required, give the user progress updates before making the drive live, play friendly with establish industry standards, so someone with average tech skill can be proud to take you-all to the dance -- then build on that ... then add in the "friendly" bells and whistles). if the car doesn't get you from A-to-B most people won't care how nice the heated seats are (some will ... but not most people). Perhaps that is the nature of most of the reviews. <<Just a thought. Hope you-all find it helpful.>>
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DrPaul's Questions
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DrPaul's Answers
This WD My Cloud drive features a 4TB capacity and lets you stream media to compatible DLNA-/UPnP-capable devices or upload and access data on the go via PC, Mac and compatible mobile phones and tablets. Automatic backup helps safeguard your files.
I am worried that is someone can gets into the cloud and then they can have access back into my computer system or network
access back into my computer network through the cloud. Is there a way that extra security can be added to the clouds software? Maybe Bitlocker.
Technically, I think the "cloud" access (i.e., WD web interface) may actually be pretty solid -- but I have not actually given that a detailed review. The EASY hack for this drive would be the FTP port 21. The FTP access for this drive sends the password UNENCRYPTED (IN THE CLEAR). If you block port 21, you could maybe build an SSH tunnel using PuTTY, ... but things like SFTP-Drive do not seem to work directly with this drive, because it uses a NON-STANDARD format for passing the parameters ... so I have not yet figured out how to make SFTP-Drive work with this drive. So on one level, I think one could indeed directly compromise the drive (the cloud stuff ... would seem like a harder exploit). HOWEVER, if you are using at home -- will someone waste the time trying to hack your one drive (high effort -- low reward). BUT if you are using this for a small office, I would not do it. Buy a real NAS Server -- and put it behind a REAL firewall -- and VPN in to your data -- so that you have some real protection. <<but that is just my thinking>>
8 years, 1 month ago
by
DrPaul
This WD My Cloud drive features a 4TB capacity and lets you stream media to compatible DLNA-/UPnP-capable devices or upload and access data on the go via PC, Mac and compatible mobile phones and tablets. Automatic backup helps safeguard your files.
Can we install Quickbooks on My Cloud and run it remotely...add data, modifiy files ect.
Probably not. It is not a real NAS drive, in that it does not allow full access from outside the local network. if you are thinking about this for a SOHO application -- DO NOT DO IT. spend the money and set up a real server. OR set up quick books on a local PC -- and use remote desk top to access that PC remotely (that is probably how I would do it).
8 years, 1 month ago
by
DrPaul
This WD My Cloud drive features a 4TB capacity and lets you stream media to compatible DLNA-/UPnP-capable devices or upload and access data on the go via PC, Mac and compatible mobile phones and tablets. Automatic backup helps safeguard your files.
How well does this WD My Cloud Drive work running with Windows 7?
Hi All, I was just wondering if this runs/is compatible with Windows 7 OS? I have an 8 years old Dell PC so do you think I will have any issues with running this device on my older, less powerful computer, which currently runs using Windows 7?
It will "work" but consider why you want a NAS. Then consider getting a real NAS server (even a cheap Samba) or can you hang a usb drive off your router? You might find that to be a better alternative. Check other reviews of people that have USED THIS FOR A WHILE vs paid reviewers / shills for WD. (anyone that gives this drive a glowing review hasn't lived with it and really stressed it); but that is just my thinking.
8 years, 1 month ago
by
DrPaul
This WD My Cloud drive features a 4TB capacity and lets you stream media to compatible DLNA-/UPnP-capable devices or upload and access data on the go via PC, Mac and compatible mobile phones and tablets. Automatic backup helps safeguard your files.
Is there a way to get your photos from my cloud storage using the hard drives usb port?
Simple answer is NO: The USB port is for hanging a "slave" drive if you will, off the my cloud server. EVEN if you did hang something off here, if you mapped into it -- the network path would be for the data to first go up to your computer, and then back down to my cloud. Bottom line: you're better off copying directly from your computer to the drive.
*****
The "deep answer" is maybe -- but you'd have to try SSH-ing into the root directory, and maybe there is a terminal service command that might allow for direct copies -- but that is just a guess. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE & KNOWLEDGABLE working in a Linux root directory -- you could accidentally turn the drive into a brick.
*****
The "deep answer" is maybe -- but you'd have to try SSH-ing into the root directory, and maybe there is a terminal service command that might allow for direct copies -- but that is just a guess. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE & KNOWLEDGABLE working in a Linux root directory -- you could accidentally turn the drive into a brick.
8 years, 1 month ago
by
DrPaul
This WD My Cloud drive features a 4TB capacity and lets you stream media to compatible DLNA-/UPnP-capable devices or upload and access data on the go via PC, Mac and compatible mobile phones and tablets. Automatic backup helps safeguard your files.
Can I watch movies wirelessly from this device in hd?
The device itself has no wireless router. THUS, if you hang it off a wireless router, and you know the IP address assigned by the wireless router to this device, THEN you if your "movie watching device" is on the same wireless access point -- or a stub off that hub -- you probably can connect your movie watching device to this, and stream off this device. Point: the short answer is "yes" but to realize the full power of that yes may require some network skills. (at least that is my perspective).
8 years, 1 month ago
by
DrPaul