Mirra Personal Server M-250 Review

The Software:

     Scott has spent a great deal of time describing the install and setup from a local network point of view.  Rather than rehash here, I will take a closer look at the web access functionality of our M-250.  To reach this point you will have setup the Mirra, installed the software on one or more PCs and created some backups.

     Logging onto the Mirra website requires you to create an account.  Logging in from a Mirra enabled PC automatically configured the account to my Mirra device.

     Once logged in you are treated to these four tabs. Starting on the left we have Shared Folders.  This tab allows you to quickly view any shares setup on the Mirra by yourself or another user.  As each backup can be password protected by the user at the local PC, each backup can also be shared out by email address.  This address system better explains a use for the address book feature Scott described.

     The Backups tab shows the contents of the Mirra divided by machine name.  Here I have setup the Mirra to provide backups on three different machines.  In addition to the usual backups mentioned above, I included my wife's picture directories some of my review work and a DIVX movie file to test the M-250's transfer rates.  Saving a file into the protected backup folder is all that is required to have the Mirra back it up and add it to the share.  (Back up files do not have to be shared and these files will not show up on this list.)

The Details link provides you with a snapshot of the status for both the Mirra and the backups.

     The Account Settings tab allows for password and display name changes.  Interestingly, I could find no way to change the business name.  Choosing the Sign Out tab returns you to the Sign In page.

    Exploring the Backups tab further, you can mouse through the file structure to the actual files.  Each navigation step takes about 45 seconds.  The information shown includes File name, Size, Overwrite, Preview and Download.

     The list can also be viewed in a thumbnail view as shown here.  This view makes it easy to browse pictures and share them with other people.  Online viewing of our newest ClubOC member has attracted a lot of attention from the family already!

Performance:

     To test the Mirra's performance I used a stop watch to time the backup and restore speed of several different file sizes and batches.  The results are posted here.

*Transfer rates shows actual speed at the midpoint.

     First I tested the speed at which the file was backed up to the Mirra.  Next I restored the file to a different PC, and finally I used the web interface to retrieve the files from a different location.  The home network is handled by a Netgear WGU624 router connected to Quest DSL using a Microsoft provided DSL 1000 Modem.  The off site location uses a corporate network to provide optimal LAN/WAN speeds.   As with most internet applications, the Mirra performs at the maximum speed the network will support.

Conclusion:

     With the Mirra Personal Server series, Seagate has provided an easy dependable backup solution for multiple PCs that anyone should be able to quickly setup and use.  There is no substitute for the peace of mind having the Mirra on the job will give you.  The data sharing capabilities are just the icing on this very tasty dish.  The Mirra M-250 drive is available directly from Seagate for $399.99.  With the current demand, Seagate is often sold out!  I would not hesitate to recommend the Mirra Personal Server to anyone with more than one PC on their network or the desire to backup and share critical data across the internet.