The docking station has a power connection located on the backside, which can connect to the network port (Ethernet / RJ-45) and a USB port for more storage devices via USB. We find it odd that there’s no separate power switch available. To disconnect the power supply, the plug must be pulled out in the traditional manner. On the front there are LED status bars in front of the every SATA slot, each of which handle a quarter of the capacity. The next bar lights up as soon as the following quarter has begun.  This indication is thus quite inexact as with three illuminated bars, a 1 TB GoFlex could still have 490 GB or only 260 GB of storage space still available.

In order to use the Net GoFlex docking station, one must first connect it with the router and then activate it at www.seagate.com/activatemygoflexnet. A quick guide is included in the box. Several steps are necessary at this point which are finally wrapped up with the activation via Pogoplug. After the standard e-mail confirmation via a sent link, one can register via a browser and the Internet. After that, the folder structure appears which can be filled and organised to one’s personal taste by the drag and drop function. 

In addition to the standard Pogoplug access via the Internet, one has the option of creating a network access without an online connection. This is done through the program Pogoplug Drive which is available for various Windows, MacOsX und Linux operating systems. This must be installed on every computer that should have access. After the installation, Pogoplug appears as a separate drive in the system, which is in turn subdivided into different disks and / or storage media.

Here, the usual access is available as on all internal access drives, though one has to keep in mind that the speed is only on level with that typical of the network. When away from the home network without a laptop, or if one simply doesn't want to use it, the network access should work over a mobile phone / organizer and an internet connection (we haven’t tested that). The corresponding apps (Pogoplug mobile) are available for iPhone, Android, Palm and BlackBerry Pre.

Pogoplug provides a chic gadget for file sharing. Access authorisation for specific data or files can easily be given by email. The recipient receives a link and can access the chosen files right away. The sender has the opportunity to allow two levels of access: complete access or read and download. This link can then be used without registering for 2 weeks. To stop sharing, this can be quickly done by simply ticking remove.

Otherwise, GoFlex Net still offers the Active Copy synchronization feature,  where  selected files can be kept up to date and there are options for creating slideshows, connecting to social networks if desired, streaming content on the GoFlex TV Media Player or game consoles and much more.