Thanks again all for pointing my in relevant directions.
For anyone in a similar situation I ended up on :
- A used Netgear ReadyNas Duo V2(please note that a lot of the later produced V1 models had a sticker on the bottom saying 'V2' Therefore on sales, people would be V2. There are simple signs on how to tell the difference. Just make sure you buy the right one!)
You can find these for not much more than the products I listed on the front page, and it's well worth that little extra. These newer generation network storage devices have fast enough CPUs to give you the network throughput that only jumbo frames was able to achieve on older hardware.
My speeds for normal sized files on default settings and latest firmware are 50mb/s writing to the NAS, and 80mb/s writing to another device.
It's GUI includes many hardware and application options. Of particular interest was the Transmission P2P web interface and the Transmission Remote GUI. With either of these tools I am able to que downloads and also schedule them to run when required. Other applications exist, including an automated Usenet and NZB scanner to search and snatch any media that might interest you.
This router is called the Black Diamond and was a predecessor to the popular Dark Knight RT-N66U. I got it for half the cost of what the N66U goes for now. Other than some different firmware options and faster wireless, the N56U is the essentially same product. It's been extremely easy to use, has plenty of standard options and all ready has made a significant difference to my internal network by giving more stability and throughput.
One of the reasons I went after this line of Asus routers was for the Download Master. Please let me use this as an opportunity to warn any potential buyers three important things about the router(s) and in particular using the Download Master.
A) Any of the applications/tools/utilities that can be run on the router itself, have to be installed and access via an externally connected USB device.
B) Due to the above, the Download Master can only select the external USB device as the storage destination.
C) The Download Master is an ok utility, however lacks important P2P options such as queing, bandwidth limitation, ordering, traffic priority etc.
When I started looking at these products, I had been instructed that the router would allow me to choose any attached network device as a destination, and sadly that wasn't the case.
Therefore in this scenario it's very fortunate that I got the ReadyNas with Transmission.
- A used ECI Open Reach modem
Since I have had this connected, my line has not dropped. Combined with the Asus router it's a great relief to not have to worry about waking up and finding that the connection reset(after several days, eventually putting me back on interleaved /banded profile).
The Duo now acts as my media vault and my overall networking and internet experience is much better.
