Hot on the heels of the ZM-VE300 reviewed earlier this month at runawaybrainz, we take a First look at the all new Zalman ZM-VE400, for the security conscious I.T Nerd.
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Not only will the new VE400 act like any other external HDD enclosure, you also have the ability to store/boot and load ISO images from your CD/DVD/BD collection, just as if it was a physical optical drive!
Features
HDD enclosure with Virtual Drive,Now Connects to your Hi-Speed USB 3.0 and USB2
256bit AES Hardware Encryption
Capacitive Touch Keypad
Perfect for mass storage of CD/DVD/Blu-ray ISO images
(While its not really mentioned it does support floppy images)
LCD display allows listing and selection of ISO files and settings
USB powered - no external DC adapter required No special software or drivers needed
Backup button
What Zalman includes in the box !
The ZM-VE400 Drive enclosure
Micro USB3 cable (500mm)
Hard wallet type pouch
Mini Screwdriver
4 retaining screws (only 2 are required)
Guide
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Specifications
Dimensions: 146(L) x 80.8(W) x 14(H)mm
Weight: 91g (except hard disk)
Materials: Aluminum alloy, Acryl, Poly Carbonate (PC)
External Interface: USB1.1 Max. 12Mbps / USB2.0 Max. 480Mbps / USB3.0 Max. 5Gbps
Internal Interface: S-ATA I/II
Compatible HDD Size: 2.5'
Power Input : USB Powered
Supported OS: Window 98 / ME / 2000 / XP / VISTA / 7, Mac OS, Linux
Color: Black/Silver
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The evolution of the Zalman virtual drive series (ZM-VE200 / ZM-VE300 / ZM-VE400)
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Setting up the hardrive
Keep in mind that FAT32 has a single file size limit of less than 4GB but has greater compatibility between operating systems.While NTFS has a single file size limit of well over 4GB so again keep this in mind when formatting the hard drive.
The hard drive I chose to install was a Samsung 830 128GB SSD, to get a good indication of speed!
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First you must partitioned the hard drive .
The hard drive must be partitioned as "PRIMARY" not "LOGICAL"! and set "ACTIVE".
After the drive has been set up, you can access the drive from within the operating system, to enable the virtual disc side of the ZM-VE400 you must create a folder on the root of the drive called "_iso", up to 32 ISO image files may be placed in the folder. More ISO image files are allowed but must be in a separate folder within the root of the _iso folder. These folders can then be navigated using the touch keypad on the front of the unit, the hand symbol on the display shows the selected current folder .This actually comes in very handy as you can implement categories, which can then be navigated from the display.
USE
There are 4 modes available to the ZM-VE400
Hard Drive mode
As the name suggests the drive will just show as a normal USB hard drive with in the operating system
Dual mode
this is a combination of Hard drive mode and ODD mode both the hard drive and ODD virtual drive will be visible to the operating system.
ODD mode (VHDD)
This is the virtual disc side of the ZM-VE400 and only the currently mounted .ISO image from the "_iso" folder on the drive ,will be visible to the operating system as a CD/DVD/BR etc.
Real Time 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
256-bit AES encryption (Advance Encryption Standard) is an International standard which ensures data is encrypted/decrypted following this approved standard. It ensures high security and is adopted by the U.S. government and other intelligence organizations across the world.
Hardware based encryption is where data which is transferred to and from the encrypted drive is automatically encrypted/decrypted through a hardware based AES chip built on the drive.
This is much faster and more secure than a software based encryption system, where data is encrypted/decrypted through software on the computer.
The new menu system much like the VE300's, is a lot more intuitive than the VE200, the only real difference between the VE300 and VE400 apart from the encryption menu, is the manner in which you load the ISO's. On the VE400 to load an ISO you simply press the number "5" on the touch pad
The various modes are accessed, unlike the VE300 ,from the touch pad. Selecting between the various functions becomes second nature within a few minutes.
Below is a flowchart to get to grips with the various functions.
Below is a flowchart to get to grips with the various functions.
Here you can select between the different drive modes mentioned above.
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Notable additions on the ZM-VE400 menu system, over the ZM-VE300
Unlike on the VE200/VE300 to load the selected .ISO image, the number "5" on the keypad has to be pressed
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The new encryption menu (more on that later)
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Testing
CPU: Intel Core i7 960Motherboard : Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3
USB3 Chipset: NEC USB3 Controller D720200F1 (now called Renesas uPD720200)
USB3 Driver: Version 2.1.39.0 Windows 7 64 Bit
Zalman ZM-VE400 Firmware: R030N (NTFS)
Hard drive : Samsung 830 128GB Read 520MB/s, Write 320MB/s SATA3
Nero 11 Disc Speed Benchmark USB2 Mode (DVD IMAGE)
1xDVD = 1.39MB/s
Nero 11 Disc Speed Benchmark USB3 Mode (DVD IMAGE)
1xDVD = 1.39MB/s
USB3 HD Tune Results
USB2 HD Tune Results (with USB2 Micro USB cable)
Enabling AES Hardware 256bit Encription
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At this point any data on the drive will be erased
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Once encrypted, if the drive is removed and inserted with in another enclosure or PC it will only show as unallocated space.
Upon powering the encrypted drive you will now be asked to enter the chosen password every time.
Disabling AES Hardware 256bit Encryption is the reverse of enabling it, by using "Reset Encryption" from the menu.
Once again the drive will be erased, a password will no longer be required to operate the drive.
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On the Fly AES Hardware 256bit Encription performanc
Pros
Touch Pad control
Secure AES Hardware 256bit Encryption with no performance hit
Modern Design
Great USB2 and USB3 Data Transfer Rates ,Especially when using an SSD
Dual Mode
Carry an unlimited amount of CD/DVD/BR images when folder are used
Hard Wallet Pouch
Micro USB3 Lead Included (On later models the black USB3 lead is allot more flexible)
Informative LCD screen
Lightweight
Write protect Function
USB2/USB3 connection indicator
Cons
No mention of how to set up the hard drive partitions
No Power input for an external PSU to boost low USB port power levels
No instruction on Firmware Recovery procedure
Finger print magnet
Conclusions and Thoughts
When i first saw the ZM-VE400 ,I laughed to myself and thought it looked a rather like a calculator! ,but on holding the enclosure it grows on you.
I think they could have made the keypad smaller, and more sensitive to the touch! as it has a tendency to sometimes feel a little vague in use.
On the whole the ZM-VE400 offers all the great functionality of its brothers, the more intuitive menu system from the VE300, plus the added protection of hardware encryption without a large performance hit or increase in price.
There really is something for everyone through out the ZM-VE range!
