Western Digital My Cloud DL4100 review
The future looks cloudy for WD’s new business NAS appliance

Not the fastest or best featured NAS appliance but it’s cheap and cloud access is a cinch to configure
-
+
Good value; Easy installation; Simplified cloud access; Quiet
-
-
Short on storage features; Unimpressive backup performance

We've always had mixed feelings about WD's Sentinel business storage family as its bewildering range of Windows Server and Storage Server OSes make it difficult for small businesses to choose the one that suits their needs best. The new My Cloud Business Series of NAS appliances look a better choice as they all run the same OS and offer useful cloud features for remote workers.
The family comprises two models; the 2-bay DL2100 and the 4-bay DL4100 on review here. It uses the same chassis as the My Cloud EX4100 but gets a boost in performance with a 1.7GHz Intel Atom C2338 accompanied by 2GB of DDR3L memory.
You can buy a diskless DL4100 from WD for 333 ex VAT but it's only certified to use its Red NAS drives. You pay a premium for the prepopulated models as the 24TB version we have costs 1,167 but gets an extra year on the warranty.
The web console provides a tidy summary of all the action along with connected users
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Dave is an IT consultant and freelance journalist specialising in hands-on reviews of computer networking products covering all market sectors from small businesses to enterprises. Founder of Binary Testing Ltd – the UK’s premier independent network testing laboratory - Dave has over 45 years of experience in the IT industry.
Dave has produced many thousands of in-depth business networking product reviews from his lab which have been reproduced globally. Writing for ITPro and its sister title, PC Pro, he covers all areas of business IT infrastructure, including servers, storage, network security, data protection, cloud, infrastructure and services.
-
Hackers breached a 158 year old company by guessing an employee password – experts say it’s a ‘pertinent reminder’ of the devastating impact of cyber crime
News A Panorama documentary exposed hackers' techniques and talked to the teams trying to tackle them
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
Dell says Windows 11 migration is a prime opportunity to overhaul ageing PC fleets – and AI devices are in the spotlight
News The shift to Windows 11 means IT leaders can ditch old tech and get their hands on AI PCs
By Ross Kelly Published
-
Westcoast named as full-service distributor for Kyocera’s A4 print solutions
News The new agreement will see Westcoast act as a “one-stop shop” for Kyocera’s ECOSYS A4 devices, consumables, and support
By Daniel Todd Published