Introduction
The Buffalo LinkStation 520 8TB Private Cloud Storage NAS with Hard Drives Included is designed for users who want centralized storage without building a server from scratch. With an 8TB capacity and a dedicated NAS architecture, it can serve as a practical home or small-office hub for storing documents, photos, videos, backups, and other important files. Instead of relying entirely on individual computers, phones, or external drives, a NAS provides a central location that multiple devices can access across a network.
One important point is worth clarifying about the keyword used for this review: the Buffalo LinkStation 520 is not an 8-bay enclosure. It is a two-drive NAS platform with an 8TB installed storage configuration. Therefore, anyone specifically searching for an 8 bay NAS storage system Advanced System should distinguish between an eight-bay chassis and an 8TB two-drive NAS. That distinction matters when planning expansion, RAID configurations, and long-term storage requirements.
For households, professionals, and small businesses that want a simpler alternative to managing several external hard drives, the LinkStation 520 offers a straightforward approach. Its pre-installed hard drives also mean less setup work compared with purchasing an empty NAS enclosure and sourcing compatible drives separately.
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Features
The Buffalo LinkStation 520 focuses on the core NAS functions that matter for centralized file storage. Rather than attempting to become a complicated enterprise server, its appeal comes from combining dedicated network storage with an included hard-drive configuration.
8TB Installed Storage
The headline feature is the included 8TB storage capacity. That gives users substantial room for documents, photographs, home videos, media libraries, backups, and project files. Actual usable capacity can vary depending on how the drives are configured and how the NAS reserves space for its storage structure.
For a household with several computers and mobile devices, centralized storage can be much easier to manage than keeping separate collections on every machine. A small business can also use the NAS as a central location for shared documents and working files, subject to its network configuration and backup strategy.
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Private Cloud Storage Concept
One of the strongest reasons to consider a NAS is the private-cloud model. Instead of depending exclusively on a third-party cloud account, users can keep their primary files on hardware under their own control. This can be particularly useful for large media libraries because continually uploading and downloading large files from an external cloud service may be inconvenient.
A private NAS does not eliminate the need for backups, however. A NAS should be considered one component of a broader backup strategy rather than the only copy of irreplaceable information.
Two-Drive NAS Architecture
The LinkStation 520 uses two internal drive bays rather than eight. This makes it substantially different from an enterprise-style 8-bay NAS storage system. A two-drive design can still be useful for users who need centralized storage and redundancy-oriented configurations, depending on the supported storage modes and individual requirements.
The two-drive approach can also make the system more approachable for home users. An eight-bay platform generally makes more sense when users need a larger number of drives, higher expansion potential, or more complex storage configurations.
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Centralized File Management
A dedicated NAS can simplify everyday file organization. Instead of copying files between multiple USB drives, users can create a centralized storage location accessible from compatible computers and network-connected devices.
This is especially useful for families where multiple people need access to shared photographs, documents, and videos. In a small office, centralized storage can provide a convenient location for shared work files while reducing the dependence on individual employee computers.
Pre-Installed Hard Drives
Because this configuration includes hard drives, the initial setup is less involved than purchasing a diskless NAS. Users do not have to separately select drive models, install them, and immediately configure the enclosure before beginning basic storage tasks.
That convenience can be particularly valuable for first-time NAS buyers. Experienced users who want specific drive capacities, enterprise-class disks, SSDs, or a larger number of bays may prefer a diskless expandable platform instead.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 8TB of included storage provides substantial capacity for home and office files. | It is a two-bay NAS, not an eight-bay NAS enclosure. |
| Pre-installed drives simplify initial hardware setup. | Expansion potential is more limited than larger multi-bay NAS platforms. |
| Centralizes files across multiple network-connected devices. | Advanced users may want more sophisticated storage and virtualization options. |
| Private-cloud approach gives users greater control over locally stored data. | NAS storage should still be backed up to another location. |
| Useful for personal storage, media collections, and small-office file sharing. | Large organizations may require more powerful enterprise storage infrastructure. |
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Performance
Performance on a NAS is influenced by several factors, including the internal drives, network infrastructure, client device, file type, simultaneous users, and storage configuration. Therefore, it is more useful to think of the LinkStation 520 as a centralized storage solution than as a direct replacement for a high-end workstation SSD.
For common tasks such as document storage, photo management, routine file transfers, and backups, a dedicated NAS can be extremely convenient. The network connection becomes the path between the client device and the storage system, so the capabilities of the surrounding network can have a significant effect on real-world transfer speeds.
Large media files provide another practical use case. A centralized library can prevent users from maintaining multiple duplicate copies across different computers. Photographers, students, content creators, and families with growing video collections can benefit from having a single organized storage destination.
However, users should not confuse network storage with local storage. Applications that demand extremely low latency or very high sustained storage performance may still benefit from local SSD storage. A NAS works particularly well when accessibility, centralized organization, and shared storage are more important than the absolute lowest storage latency.
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Backup and Data Protection
One of the most important considerations when purchasing any NAS is data protection. A storage array can make files easier to organize, but it does not automatically protect against every possible failure. Hardware failure, accidental deletion, malware, theft, electrical damage, and other events can still affect the data.
For important information, a sensible strategy is to maintain additional copies. Depending on the type of files involved, users might combine the NAS with an external backup drive or another geographically separate backup location.
This is especially important for irreplaceable photographs, business records, personal documents, and creative projects. The more valuable the data, the less appropriate it is to rely on a single storage device.
Home and Small-Business Use
The LinkStation 520 makes the most sense for users who want dedicated network storage without moving immediately into a complex rack-mounted infrastructure. A home user can consolidate family media and computer backups, while a small office can use centralized storage for shared documents and archives.
Users evaluating equipment around their workstation can also explore related display equipment through this Related Guide.
For a small team, however, administrators should consider access permissions, backup procedures, network security, and the importance of the stored information before deploying the NAS as a business-critical system.
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Is an 8TB NAS the Same as an 8-Bay NAS?
No. This distinction is essential. The number 8TB refers to storage capacity, while 8-bay refers to the number of physical drive bays in the NAS chassis. The Buffalo LinkStation 520 configuration reviewed here provides 8TB of installed storage in a two-drive NAS design.
An actual eight-bay NAS can accommodate eight physical drives and may provide considerably more flexibility for storage expansion, redundancy, caching, or specialized configurations. Those systems are generally aimed at users with larger storage requirements.
Someone searching for an 8 bay NAS storage system Advanced System should therefore carefully check the number of drive bays rather than assuming that an 8TB specification means eight bays.
Who Should Consider the Buffalo LinkStation 520?
This NAS is most relevant to users who want centralized storage without the complexity of assembling a storage server themselves. The included 8TB configuration gives buyers a ready-made starting point, while the two-drive architecture keeps the system considerably simpler than large multi-bay storage platforms.
It can be a useful fit for households with multiple computers, photographers managing large collections, users who want centralized backups, and small offices looking for a shared network storage location.
On the other hand, power users who already know they need eight or more drive bays, extensive expansion, advanced virtualization, very large storage pools, or enterprise-level workloads should evaluate a larger NAS platform instead.
FAQ
Is the Buffalo LinkStation 520 an 8-bay NAS?
No. The LinkStation 520 is a two-drive NAS platform. The 8TB specification describes the included storage capacity, not the number of drive bays.
Does the Buffalo LinkStation 520 include hard drives?
Yes. This particular configuration is described as an 8TB private-cloud NAS with hard drives included, which means buyers do not need to purchase separate drives for the initial storage setup.
What can an 8TB NAS be used for?
An 8TB NAS can be used for centralized document storage, photo libraries, video collections, computer backups, shared files, and other network-accessible data. Actual usable capacity depends on the storage configuration and system overhead.
Can a NAS replace cloud storage?
A NAS can provide a private alternative for many storage tasks, but it should not automatically be considered a complete replacement for every cloud service. Cloud platforms may provide off-site redundancy, collaboration features, synchronization, and other services. A NAS can complement cloud storage as part of a broader strategy.
Is a NAS suitable for small businesses?
A NAS can be useful for small businesses that need centralized file storage and sharing. Before deployment, businesses should evaluate user permissions, backup procedures, network security, storage capacity, and the importance of the data being stored.
Does RAID mean my files are fully backed up?
No. RAID and other redundancy configurations can help maintain availability when a supported drive fails, but redundancy is not the same as an independent backup. Accidental deletion, malware, theft, or other events can still affect the stored data. Important files should have additional backups.
Should I buy an 8-bay NAS instead?
That depends on the storage requirement. Users who need a compact centralized 8TB solution may prefer a two-drive NAS, while users who specifically require eight physical drive bays, greater expansion potential, or larger storage pools should compare dedicated eight-bay platforms.
Final Thoughts
The Buffalo LinkStation 520 8TB Private Cloud Storage NAS with Hard Drives Included is best understood as a straightforward two-drive network storage solution rather than an eight-bay NAS. Its included storage makes the initial setup more approachable, while the private-cloud concept provides a convenient way to centralize files across compatible network devices.
The biggest strength of this type of system is convenience: instead of spreading important files across numerous computers and external drives, users can create a central storage location. The 8TB capacity can also provide plenty of room for everyday documents, photographs, videos, and backups for many households and small offices.
At the same time, buyers should match the NAS architecture to their actual needs. If the goal is specifically an 8 bay NAS storage system Advanced System, this Buffalo model should not be mistaken for an eight-bay enclosure. If the goal is a simpler preconfigured NAS with substantial included capacity, its two-drive design may be much closer to the intended use case.