Using your LinkStation
LinkStation User Manual
76
Notes:
Format type
Advantages
Disadvantages
FAT 32
Drives formatted with FAT 32
can be disconnected from the
LinkStation and connected to
a Windows or Mac computer
directly. They work well with
many devices, but do not
support large filesizes.
• Read/Write support with
LinkStation, PCs, and Macs.
• You can connect the hard
drive to a Windows PC or a
Mac at any time and use it
normally.
• Cannot copy or back up files
larger than 4 GB.
• Cannot use some characters
from Mac OS X such as [:].
• It takes extra time to access
from the Web Admin
interface or NAS Navigator2.
EXT3
This is recommended if you
may have to reconnect to
and use other LinkStation/
TeraStation.
• Supports both Reading and
Writing.
• Supports Journaling File
System.
• Also available when
connecting to other
LinkStation.
• May take a while to format
(a few minutes to several
minutes).
• Less space is available than
XFS after format.
• The more files in a folder, the
slower the access.
You cannot read data by
directly connecting a PC.
XFS
This format is recommended
when you only use the
drive with a LinkStation or
TeraStation.
• Supports both Reading and
Writing.
• Supports Journaling File
System.
• More space is available with
XFS after format.
• Access speed will not degrade
even though more files in 1
folder.
Not supported by legacy
LinkStations such as HD-LAN,
HD-HLAN, HD-HGLAN Series.
You cannot read data by
directly connecting to a PC.
NTFS
NTFS works well with Windows
PCs. Read-Only from the
LinkStation.
Can be used with Windows XP,
Windows 2000, Vista, Windows
Server2003, and Windows
Server2008.
• Read-only from the
LinkStation or a Mac.
• Not suitable for backup from
the LinkStation.
HFS+
HFS+ works well with
Macs. Read-Only from the
LinkStation.
Can be used to connect to Mac
OS X 10.3.9 or later.
• Read-only from the
LinkStation.
• Not suitable for use with
Windows PCs.