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I-O Data's Giga LANDISK: the eco-friendly 750GB gigabit NAS
If that 500GB LaCie gigabit NAS didn't do it for you then try on the new RoHS-compliant (read: environmentally friendly) Giga LANDISK from IO-Data now with up to 750GB of SATA disk. That's right, another network attached storage device with room to grow off additional 1x eSATA or 2x USB 2.0 disks. Lickity quick eSATA disks allow for mirroring your precious data while an additional USB port allows you to attach a remote printer or host USB devices like digital cameras for PC-less data transfer. They've also furthered that Toshiba alliance with the ability to record HD television when connected over gigabit Ethernet to Toshiba's REGZA Z2000 series of Televisions and yeah, it plays nice with DLNA streaming devices like IO-Data's own AVel LinkPlayer. Prices start at ¥33,285 (about $285) for 160GB of disk on up to ¥92,400 (about $790) for that biggie 750GB spinner when they ship in late November. With competition on the rise and prices in free-fall, isn't it about time to move your data to the LAN? Mama always said it was good to share.
LaCie's Ethernet Disk mini hits 500GB, finally
Announced in January 2005, the 7200rpm 500GB LaCie Ethernet Disk mini is finally prepped to ship. In the UK anyway, where it can be pre-ordered for £245 inclusive of VAT. While the link to the US site is hot, the link to order for $299 remains dead as AIBO. The Ethernet Disk mini functions as a NAS for Windows, Mac and Linux boxes with support for UPnP A/V, Apple Bonjour, SMB, AFP, and more. It's better than that though, since it can also be plugged directly into your Mac or PC via the USB 2.0 interface for some external disk action when the network is unavailable. Hell, it even features an additional USB host port allowing you to expand capacity even further or pull photos directly from your USB equipped digital camera. Let's just hope they've boosted the transfer speeds as well. Shipping "late October 2006" which, in case you didn't know, means today LaCie. [Thanks, Adam] Read -- LaCie Ethernet Disk mini 500GB (US) Read -- LaCie Ethernet Disk mini 500GB (UK)Update: We just got an email from LaCie pointing out that the difference with this new model is that it includes gigabit Ethernet, and that it will be released only in Europe for the time being. Read - LaCie
I-O Data's new HDLM-GWIN Windows Storage Server
If you're looking for some fancy, hot-swappable, Windows Storage Server 2003 R2-based NAS storage, I-O Data has this new HDLM-GWIN for your consideration. The RAID 1 mirroring unit comes in 300, 500 and 750GB capacities, and will cost you up to €1,350 ($1,714 US) for the privilege. Being Windows Storage Server-based, the device can share a couple of printers with your network, or hook up to a VGA monitor if the mood strikes, but the redundant storage device can also be managed over the network just like a good little NAS should. The HDLM-GWIN should be shipping mid-November, but there's no word yet on a release outside of Japan.[Via Akihabara]
Infrant releases the ReadyNAS NV+
From past postings it would seem that Infrant has developed quite a little fan base for its ReadyNAS line of storage solutions, so all you NASheads out there will be happy to learn that the company has just added a new member to the family, the Gigabit Ethernet-equipped ReadyNAS NV+. Available in sizes ranging from 0GB (B.Y.O.HDD.) to 3TB, the four-bay NV+ adds several key features to the previous NV models, including a quieter design, LCD status window, and the RAIDiator 3.0 firmware that boasts enhanced power-saving features and improvements for Mac users. On the multimedia tip, you're getting built-in UPnP support along with SlimServer software (resulting from the partnership with Slim Devices that we recently reported on) for use with your Squeezebox or Transporter. You can pick up your own NV+ immediately, for anywhere between $650 for the diskless version and $2,999 for a massive 3TB black hole of storage.
Buffalo intros TS-HTGL/R5 TeraStation Pro NAS series
Keeping things fresh in its TeraStation lineup, Buffalo is dropping three new NAS units touting up to two terabytes of capacity and faster access speeds than previous models. Besides sporting the obligatory RAID 0/1/5 functionality (and looking exactly like its predecessor), the TeraStation Pro TS-HTGL/R5 series holds four hard drives behind a lockable door, gigabit Ethernet, and a snazzy LCD panel to show internal temperature and worrisome alerts. Slated to be available in 1.0, 1.6, and 2.0TB flavors, the units will also support "ActiveDirectory domain," which apparently pulls double duty as a security gate to ward off curious intruders and a data divisor based on group / role login preferences. Although pricing deets are currently unavailable, the trio will be getting NASty (read: shipping) in early December.[Via Impress]
TRENDnet's TS-1300W and TS-1300 NAS enclosures
It's been a little while since we last saw a WiFi hard drive enclosure, and honestly, we wonder why these haven't caught on more, given that you can just hide 'em on a bookshelf without a second thought. At the very least, the latest device from TRENDnet will certainly best D-Link in the style department. The new TS-1300W ($170) comes in a warm pastel blue body with a black stripe that wraps around the whole case and includes two USB 2.0 ports for that one friggin' file that you forgot on your thumb drive. TRENDnet also announced a wired version of this same network attached storage device, the TS-1300, which looks the same as the W, except it's missing the little WiFi antenna on the back, and has a price cut by $40.
Evergreen's NAS Mini looks... familiar
Hey, if you're going to rip off somebody's product design, might as well go all the way, right? The new EG-MM35LAN from Evergreen is unabashed in its design "inspiration," but things don't get much more exciting from there. There's an Ethernet plug and USB 2.0 port, and Evergreen also offers up an Ethernet-free version of the 6.5 x 6.5 x 1.85-inch enclosure -- just in case that NAS action is too much functionality for you. No word on price, availability or HDD size, but we're not really banking on this one hitting US shores anyways.
HP Media Vault -- NAS we go again
You didn't think HP, a company known for its bulletproof corporate storage solutions, was about to just let Maxtor eat up all its chances for butting into the nascent home NAS market, did you? We acquired some interesting info on their first foray into consumer network attached storage: the HP Media Vault, a run of the mill RAID 0/1 unit coming in either 300GB / $379 (with one empty bay) or 500GB / $549 (with one empty bay) configurations. It'll also feature gigabit Ethernet, three USB ports, and expandability up to 1.2TB, but our favorite bit from the internal HP briefing was where some analyst at a pre-briefing noted the unit was "Well designed. Will be better once it is not designed like a PC." So who knows, by the time this thing gets released perhaps it'll look a little less like a Pavilion s7600 Slimline, and a little more like the ugly coupla drives in a box that it is.
Infrant Repertoire Digital Media Server
Known for their ReadyNAS network server, Infrant is making a move for your living room with the Reportoire Digital Media Servier for home theaters. The Repertoire, like their ReadyNAS, features an X-RAID array of Seagate DB35 DynaPlay-enabled hard drives and comes in both 2TB and 3TB versions for $3,999 and $4,999, respectively. Also inside the machined aluminum case is a gigabit network port along with out-of-the-box support for Windows MCE, InteracTV, Squeezebox and Transporter, Sonos, as well as the Windows, OS X, UNIX, and Linux Operating systems (though the latter-most is most likely made possible because of a browser-based interface). While we haven't had a chance to play with the thing yet, the specs look nice; the price, however, is questionable for the high-end averse, and the unit's usability has yet to be proven.
Prestigio unveils 2TB Storage NAS-540
With spacious NAS drives rocking everything from WiFi to fancy enclosures, sometimes we forget the primary focus of such networked storage devices. Prestigio gets back to the basics with its Storage NAS-540 (which admittedly resembles a small safe), sporting four hot-swappable 3.5-inch half terabyte SATA hard drives, gigabit Ethernet, and the full suite of configuration options: RAID 0, 1, 5, and JBOD. Although wireless connectivity isn't built-in, it does support a mini-PCI WiFi upgrade, and touts its (uninspiring) abilities to automatically assign IP addresses, run scheduled backups, and receive administration solely from a web browser. To its credit, however, Prestigio did throw in a USB 2.0 port for those moments where quick, unplanned access is needed, and you'll even get automatic email alerts / event logs if anything traumatic should happen to your data. While information concerning pricing and availability has yet to be released, this shouldn't run you too much more than any other run-of-the-mill 2TB NAS device whenever it drops.
Seagate goes 1TB with Maxtor Shared Storage II
Seagate knows that you can never have too much storage space at your disposal, which is why the company's just bulked up its well-received NAS line with the 1TB Maxtor Shared Storage II. Like other products of the same ilk, the SS II allows up to 20 connected Mac or Windows PCs to send and receive data to and from the two 7,200RPM 500GB hard drives, which can also be configured in a RAID 1 array for an extra level of protection. A high-speed Gigabit Ethernet connection should ensure rapid file transfers, and two built-in USB ports allow you to connect a printer or other peripheral device for sharing among multiple users. You're also getting UPnP support here, so with the proper adapters you can stream tunes, vids, and pics to compatible networked A/V gear throughout your pad. The Shared Storage II is scheduled for release sometime this month, but such a capacious device doesn't come cheap: expect to throw down around $900 if you're interested in this whole-house storage and backup solution.
Buffalo spices up spacious NAS line
We can always count on Buffalo to keep the updates rolling for their NAS products, and thanks to cheap and expansive hard drives, we're liking where things are going. Their new 2TB TeraStation holds four drives -- we'll leave the math to you here -- and sports Gigabit Ethernet and RAID 5 compatibility. The LinkStation merely houses a single drive, up to 750GB in capacity, but keeps the Gigabit connectivity for high-speed fun. Both devices also support DLNA to keep the media flowing, but we're not so sure on price or availability. Luckily these are the "consumer" line, so the damage shouldn't be too great.
Thecus N5200 five-drive NAS
If the TellyRAID we saw yesterday is the NAS for TV nuts, we'd have to say this N5200 NAS from Thecus is the NAS for people with actual secure storage needs (lame) -- or who are just plain nuts. First, the N5200 houses five hard drives, which by our count means you could get about 3.75TB worth of 750GB drives in this thing. For networking there are four Gigabit Ethernet ports, which should hopefully keep up with most small business networks. The box runs on a Celeron M CPU to manage all the crazy storage and bandwidth, and supports USB RAID if you'd like to get all redundant on your flash drives. Thecus has added AFP and NFS network support -- along with the usual suspects -- and are even throwing in an admin utility for Macs. Overall, the device is quite feature full, and its RAID6 and RAID10 support make it a haven of redundancy. No word yet on price or availability.
Interact-TV's TellyRAID serves 2TB of TV
If the joys of prime time serial dramas such as 24, Lost and Desperate Housewives are proving a bit taxing on that garden variety DVR or WMCE of yours, it might be time to bump your storage with a bit of NAS action. Luckily, Interact-TV has an incredibly pricey solution to your woes, which doesn't just bump your storage, but includes a whole DVR/DVD/CD managing system to bear on your media problems. The newly launched TellyRAID, bundled with the TellyVizion, allows you to rip and store DVDs, CDs, Photos TV shows and surf the web for even more content to stuff into the 2TB TellyRAID. The TellyVizion can also burn CD playlists, and can be scheduled remotely via the Telly website. The RAID runs quietly, and can work with other computers or compatible media devices to serve up media over Gigabit Ethernet or USB 2.0. It supports up to four SATA drives, and can work with a USB network adapter for WiFi connectivity. All of this doesn't come cheap, you can get the pair for $2,860, but it should hold onto a season or two of those prime time good times.
Maxtor's Shared Storage Plus NAS device reviewed
Reg Hardware seems to agree with our own astute pundit Ross Rubin that Maxtor's Shared Storage Plus Network Attached Storage device is a winner as a solid backup solution while doing double-duty as a capacious media server. Testing the 500GB version of the SSP, El Reg found the device easy to setup and share among several users, with software that provides a simple way to set up incremental backups, network printing, or media streaming to compatible uPnP devices. There do seem to be a few downsides here, most notably the irritating fan whine and skimpy one year warranty, and less importantly, the fact that it tags the icons of folders selected for backup with a little tick mark. If tick marks and fan noise don't bother you, though, the $465-as-tested SSP sounds like a pretty good way to backup data for small offices and homes with multiple computers, while giving you a little extra functionality to boot
Patoh's external P2P client / NAS
What do you get when you cross a 250GB Buffalo LinkStation network attached storage (NAS) device with some custom home-server software, a multi-protocol peer-to-peer client that supports FTP, Kad, BitTorrent, Overnet, FastTrack, and eDonkey? Well, for one you get a small device -- not unlike the LamaBox -- that can continuously download and seed your torrent data after you've shut down for the night, thereby keeping that ratio up and preventing you from getting booted from your fav invite-only tracker into the cold, harsh world of Scandieland downloads from less reliable anonymous sources. Do we sound like we know way too much about this stuff? Maybe so, which probably has something to do with the fact that we're a little stoked for Patoh's external RochiP2P 250, which should supposedly set you back €299 ($380 US) for the above features in that same familiar looking old Buffalo box shown here. Unfortunately it appears the Patoh uses desktop software to control all those torrents instead of a nice web interface, but we, um, never get our media online or do any torrenting ourselves, so what Patoh does or doesn't do with their products is really none of our concern. Ahem.
Iomega launches StorCenter 1TB wireless NAS
We've seen terabyte NAS boxes before. And we've seen wireless ones too. But Iomega may be one of the first companies to combine the two into a simple plug-and-play solution, with the company's 1TB StorCenter Wireless Network Storage device. The box includes gigabit Ethernet, two USB ports, 802.11g wireless networking, and four 250GB, 7200 RPM drives that can be set up in RAID 0, RAID 1 or RAID 5 configurations. The NAS has a suggested retail price of $899. Iomega has also launched a 500GB wired NAS, the StorCenter External Hard Drive, with a price of $499.
Ask Engadget: that's just NASty
It's Thursday night, kids, which means it's time for another round of Ask Engadget. Before we get going, if you'd like to ask Engadget something yourself, hit us up at ask at engadget dawt com, and we'll take it to the court of public opinion. Anyhow, last time Brian C wanted to know how to best RF shield his WiFi; this week we got a short n' sweet one for ya, so consider yourself asked by Serge:I'm looking for a NAS solution and was hoping you could make suggestions. I'm looking for something with gigabit Ethernet, Apache / PHP / MySQL, media serving and a RAID configuration.Kinda sounds more like Serge wants himself a web-hosting solution in a box, but take out the LAMP configuration and you've got a ton of options. Too many, in fact, the market's positively saturated with home NAS and media storage solutions (most, it seems, with RAID). Got any favorites?
3TB NAS streams to your 360
Skipjam has announced their "SkipJam iMedia X-Stream Storage System (XSS), a low cost, flexible Network Attached Storage device" containing "multiple server technologies in a single unit: SMB, DLNA, UPnP and Windows Media Connect compatible servers." That means you'll be able to fill this thing FULL of streamable media and connect use it with your Xbox 360. 3TBs is an awful lot of baby pictures, Neil Diamond MP3s, and Lost reruns. At $0.90 per GB, the 3TB version would cost you a cool $2700. [Via Engadget]
