Storage standoff: network-attached-storage drives make it easy to back up your data and share files across your network. Which of these eight models is the right repository for your data?(Product/service evaluation)

Network-attached storage (NAS) is a scary name for a surprisingly simple technology. Take a standard hard drive like the one inside your PC, slip it into a small enclosure that has an Ethernet port, connect it to your router, and you have a NAS drive. Within minutes, the drive should show up on your home network, allowing friends or family to easily share files, stream media from one PC to another, and back up data to the same drive. Some NAS drives are accessible from any computer connected to the Internet, giving you the option to share photos and access files when you're on the road.

To help you figure out which device is right for you, we've taken a look at eight very different drives, from simple units that provide local storage to dual-drive models with built-in media servers, backup software, and remote access capability. With our help, you'll be able to find a NAS drive that suits both your needs and your budget. And for further advice on setting up a home network, check out this month's Weekend Project (p. 100).

Apple Time Capsule (ITB)

Editors' Rating: (7.8)

Pros: Router and network drive; very good wireless range; easy to set up; operates on dual bands; works seamlessly with Mac OS X 10.5; router and network drive

Cons: Lacks Web-based administration; no Windows backup software included; no media-or print-server capabilities

APPLE'S TIME CAPSULE is a slick-looking network appliance that pulls double duty as a wireless router and a backup drive. Though $499 might seem steep for 1 terabyte of storage (a 500GB version costs $299), the TimeCapsule's price becomes a bit more reasonable when you factor in the cost of a multiport wireless router.