1. The LinkStation Mini and LinkStation Duo can backup THEIR data to a USB drive plugged to the LinkStation USB port on scheduled basis, correct? That is correct, from daily to monthly
2. There is really no need to use NAS Navigator2 to map the drives, it is doable using the regual method of Windows, correct? For drive mapping it is not req'd, used to find unit initially, and any maintenance
3. How do I set folder permissions in case I join the LinkStation to the domain? Is there some interface that reads the Active Directory users? any screenshots? Folder permissions are set between read and read/write selected by folder, when setting up AD you input settings that will link to AD and pull the users/groups/and security policies.
4. Will these drives authenticate the logged on domain users to their mapped drives automatically? It can do that as seeing it pulls the AD settings, exception being folders created on the device itself will need manual settings.
5. Any screenshots/manual about joining the LinkStation to the domain? I found nothing in the manuals. The joining process is straight forward, WINS server, domain name, address, admin name and password
6. Is the drive compatible with passwords having symbols in them? (#$&%@!*) Here I am speaking about its own accounts passwords and active directory accounts passwords. The device does not like symbols in the password, just alpha numeric values only
7. Has the problem of Win 7 compatibility finally solved? There was never a real compatability problem with W7, it is just security level settings with the LM, NTLM, and firewall settings. Just need to check the levels within your network for proper settings