tl/dr:
- Be sure that you know when manufacturer support ends for important devices on your network.
- When buying a new device, double check that it is not close to losing support before buying it!
I’ve had a Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS (network-attached storage) device for a little more than four years. I’ve been satisfied with the device, but since I use it for networked Time Machine backups, I thought I’d double check when WD was going to stop supporting it.
As it turns out, Western Digital will end support for the device in December. For my uses, it probably isn’t a major issue, since I only use it on my local network and have disabled its external cloud functions.
Nonetheless, it’s a useful reminder for anyone using routers, networked storage devices, etc., to know when your devices will stop receiving security patches and bug fixes, regardless of manufacturer or model. For example, anyone who relies on the EX2’s cloud-enabled features should start planning to disable those features or find a replacement for them in December. Also, even though Western Digital no longer sells the EX2, it remains available through some retailers. Most users would be well advised to look at other products.
By the way, many devices, including the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra will work with alternative firmware, such as OpenWRT, so that can be an option for people on tight budgets and who have devices that have lost support.