Does the LS210D NAS have a automatic Standby (low-power / HDD spindown) or not?

[CobraJocky]

Preface: I've been in IT and IT management for 38 years.

I just bought a new LS210D NAS for home use via Amazon, had it for a week now and I am getting several conflicting information whether the unit has an automatic inactivity "Standby" (lower-power use/HDD spindown) mode. There is absolutely NOTHING in the User Manual or the Setup Manual. I called Buffalo Tech Support last week an the clearly clueless Tech Agent had to look at some written material before he could answer and said NO it DOES NOT "it's only a home NAS unit". HOWEVER, the Buffalo brochure numbered LS210D-EU refers to a "In operation 12 Watts" and a "In Standby 8 Watts", and a "In Sleep mode 0.9Watts", but says nothing if this is automatic or not .... and WHY does the User Manual say NOTHING about this ? Additionally, the retail box makes no mention that this LS210D is a USA EnergyStar compliant device, which would also indicate it has a inactivity of use low power "standby operation.

Buffalo LS210D-EU Brochure (the ONLY spec sheet I could find anywhere for the LS210D) https://products.buffalo-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/ls210d-datasheet-en.pdf

I realize that the unit has a user settable Power Down mode by entering time on and time off, this is NOT what I am asking about. I am asking about an automatic "INACTIVITY sensing EnergyStar HDD Spindown and lower power" mode built into the unit.

I've had a couple dozen personal use NAS devices over the last 30 years, everyone (Toshiba, LG, US Robotics, Seagate, WD, even a kind of ancient Iomega and ALL had a Inactivity sensing function that spun down the HDD and went into "standby mode" at a reduced power or operation. VERY disappointed if Buffalo is not including this necessary feature.

[davo]

The clearly clueless tech was correct.

[CobraJocky]

Well if that is the case that Buffalo does not have something a crucial as a inactivity spin down/energy saving function (which their misleading - aka lied - online Brochure says it does), I will be returning the LS210D to Amazon.

VERY disappointed in Buffalo for selling a NAS with 30-year-old technology (or lack of it - no Standby or cooling fan) and I will not be considering any Buffalo devices for my personal use or for any of my IT S/MB clients.

I have already bought a 1-Bay Synology NAS (w/o drive) for $99.  and I have 2TB WD Bulk HDD I get for $45 wholesale. The Synology systems are renown for their features (including Spin down power saving standby) and reliability.

BTW - Not impressed at Buffalo "tech support", the agent had to go look at his 3-ring binder to answer something he should know about the LS210 series - no standby! That is Clueless and untrained.

[1000001101000]

They may have been confused since this one doesn't do the WOL type sleep that many of the more expensive models do. I suspect this one just spins down the drives when it's idle to reach the wattage specified in the docs.

I would test this hypothesis but I seem to have misplaced my kill-a-watt.

[CobraJocky]

There is no mention what so ever in the manual or in the integrated setup that there is any inactivity "spindown" or power-savings mode as the Buffalo Brochure claims. I monitored it for a few days and it never spun-down or went into a power-savings mode (aka Energy Star).

It's pretty shameful that Buffalo failed to include this feature that every equivalently priced 1-drive NAS comes with! I had a Iomega 25 years ago that had it. My LG brand NAS, Toshiba Canvio's and my Seagate NAS, all of which are 2TB and in the same price range ($120 - $150). This nothing but a Firmware feature requiring no additional hardware, as I said shameful that it's not included for whatever reason Buffalo made.

I've already sent the LS210D back to Amazon and got my refund. I doubt I will ever buy another Buffalo product. Instead, I bought a Synology single bay for $99 on Amazon and I have a case of "brown box" WD Blue Label 2TB HDD I get for $38 wholesale. The features the Synology HAS absolutely makes even the best Buffalo look like a amateur NAS.