Hi Brian,
With the Solitaire I have access from the front for firewire access but I find that USB is a better option and have a USB four way adaptor plugged in to a rear usb socket and use it frequently without problems. Flash drives are much quicker for recording in updates and the like and for downloading your own downloads from the Macrosystems website.
The Firewire front socket I use for recording in from the Sony cameras which has never given me any poroblems.
All the best
Brian Mc Nulty
UK