Freecom FSG-3 Storage Gateway 160GB review

Like the Netgear SC101, Freecom's FSG-3 is a network storage device - and it's a router too.

As if this weren't enough, it can also be accessed across the Internet using either FTP software or just your Internet browser. This is useful when you suddenly realise you've left important files at home.

Setting up the FSG-3 is easy - simply plug it into your PC and type in its default IP address (the unique number used to identify it on your network) into your browser. This brings up the presentation page with all the devices options and settings. You have to make sure that the device's IP address isn't the same as that of the broadband modem you will connect it to. This is tricky, but fully explained in the comprehensive manual.

Once any potential IP conflicts have been sorted out, you simply connect the Freecom to your broadband modem and the PCs you want to network. Follow the instructions in the manual and you'll soon have the FSG-3 set up to provide storage to all of the computers on your network and to share the Internet connection among them all.

Transfers to and from the drive from any PC on the network are fast, with our 500MB test files taking just 1min 42s (a rate of 39Mbit/s).

Configuring the FSG-3 to be accessed over the Internet was relatively simple. You must tell your modem to let the FSG act as a Web and FTP server. This isn't difficult, your modem's manual will tell you how. Next, just tick two settings in the Freecom's browser page and that's it. We transferred files to and from the FSG-3 over the Net using Internet Explorer and an FTP program - it worked fine in both cases. The Freecom can also be password protected in order to prevent just anyone accessing it over the Web.

The only down side to the Freecom FSG-3 Storage Gateway 160GB is its price. But if you need its versatility as a network router and using the USB 2 or SATA connections, a portable drive - plus its ability to double as a Web server - that's money well spent.