[Answer ID: 10348]

Which format types can be used for external USB hard drives connected to the LinkStation?

Created 02/22/2011 07:03  |   Updated 04/24/2014 00:50
Format Type Write *1 Read *1 Descriptions
EXT3
(USB hard drive only)
Yes Yes

This format is recommended when you connect a hard drive to another product. *2

  • Both Read/Write are supported.
  • Supports Journaling File System.
  • It takes from several minutes to more than 30 minutes to format.
  • Usable data volume after formatting will be less than that of after XFS formatting.
  • Access speed will be slower as there is a large number of files in one folder.
Note: You can format the hard drive to EXT3 from the LinkStation's Web Admin interface.
XFS
(USB hard drive/
Internal hard drive in TeraStation)
Yes Yes Recommend for additional USB hard drive connecting on LinkStation, and replaced internal hard drives in the unit.*3
  • Both Read/Write are supported.
  • Supports Journaling File System.
  • The capacity will make less than EXT3 format type.
  • Access speed does not slow down even if the number of files in one folder.
FAT32
(USB hard drive only)
Yes Yes Recommend if you would check the data by connecting a hard drive to the computer. In the case of the product failure, it is still possible to use by connecting to Windows PC.
  • Both Read/Write are supported.
  • Unable to copy/backup the data which is equal or more than 4 GB in one file.
  • Unable to use some characters used by OS X such as ":".
NTFS
(USB hard drive only)
Yes Yes

Unable to format on the Web Admin interface.
It is working as Read-only. (Unable to write at the backup/replication either).

Possible to use by connecting to Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, or Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008.

HFS+
(USB hard drive only)
No Yes Unable to format on the Web Admin interface.
It is Read-only. (Unable to write at the backup/replication either).

Possible to connect to OS X 10.3.9 or later.

 

*1 This is only about working on LinkStation, not recognizing on the computer.

*2 Use EXT3 reader to read by directly connecting USB hard disk to the computer.

*3 Unable to read even by connecting to the computer directly.

 

Note:

GPT partitions (64-bit) are recommended for connected USB hard drives of 2.2 TB or larger. Other types of partitions will not address the full size of larger drives. GPT partitions are supported by Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 SP1 or later, Windows Server 2008, OS X 10.4 or later, and Buffalo TeraStations and LinkStations.

Note that other operating systems (including Windows XP) may not detect GPT partitions correctly. To read hard drives larger than 2.2 TB from Windows XP, either use a proprietary GPT solution, or use multiple partitions smaller than 2.2 TB.



Details


Products

OS / Hardware

Was this answer helpful?
Please tell us how we can make this answer more useful.

Refine your search

Select Product / OS & Hardware

      Enter Keywords or a specified ID