Western Digital is a leading harddrive manufacturer and offers loads of internal and external harddrive solutions. It has been waiting a bit too launch larger devices for the growing NAS (Network Attached Storage) retail market. Until now, WD has announced its ShareSpace series that through Gigabit Ethernet and up to 4TB storage will become the central nerve of the home office or network. WD ShareSpace costs $699 with 2TB and $999 with 4TB storage.
The press release follows;
WD® UNVEILS AFFORDABLE, HIGH-CAPACITY NETWORK STORAGE FOR SMALL OFFICES AND HOMES
WD ShareSpace™ Storage Systems Offer Up To 4 TB of Storage in a Small Footprint
LAKE FOREST, Calif. – Sept. 30, 2008 – WD® (NYSE: WDC), the world’s leader in external storage solutions, today introduced its new WD ShareSpace high-speed network storage systems that provide cost-effective, centralized storage for small office and home networks. WD ShareSpace represents WD’s first entry into the small-office network storage market, where it plans to bring to a new class of users the ease-of-use, design and value enjoyed by millions of WD My Book® and My Passport™ customers.
Traditionally, available only in large companies with big IT departments, centralized storage helps businesses improve collaboration, while protecting their digital assets. The WD ShareSpace storage systems now bring those large-company benefits to small offices in an easy-to-set-up, small-footprint design. The 4-bay storage systems with Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) interface provide up to 4 TB of storage capacity and multiple RAID configurations.
Small offices and workgroups often employ cumbersome methods for sharing data, either by sending large files via e-mail or by sharing thumb drives. WD ShareSpace network-attached storage systems make it simple for small offices and workgroups to centralize storage for easy accessibility – both within the network and remotely via WD’s MioNet® remote Web access service.
Popularity of home networks is growing worldwide, with penetration as high as 50 percent in some countries, according to a recent Parks Associates study. Families with growing digital media collections on multiple computers find it increasingly difficult to organize and share their music, movies and photos. Home users can easily connect the WD ShareSpace system to their home network to centralize their media collections and access them from anywhere in their home. The included iTunes® server capability allows users to play their music on any Mac® or PC using iTunes software.
Backing up data is extremely important for both office and home users. With the WD ShareSpace system’s high capacity, along with the included WD Anywhere Backup™ software, multiple users can simplify and automate a continuous backup1. With WD Anywhere Backup software, users choose specific files or folders for backup during the set-up process. Any changes or additions made to those files or folders will be updated and backed up automatically.
“With the WD ShareSpace storage system, small offices and home network users can experience the same centralized storage and data protection often found only in big corporate data centers,” said Jim Welsh, vice president and general manager of WD’s branded products and consumer electronics groups. “The set-up process is a breeze, so you can be up and running in a matter of minutes. This WD ShareSpace system offers big-time storage without the need for a big-time IT department.”
Price and Availability
WD ShareSpace network storage systems are offered in capacities of 2 TB and 4 TB and are available now at select retailers and WD’s online store (www.wdc.com). MSRP for the WD ShareSpace storage system with 2 TB is $699.99 USD; MSRP for the WD ShareSpace storage system with 4 TB is $999.99 USD.
RAID Configurations
The WD ShareSpace systems offer multiple RAID configurations for data protection and speed: RAID 0 (Striped), RAID 1 (Mirrored) and RAID 5. The RAID 5 mode, only available on the 4 TB system, is the recommended mode to achieve both high performance and data protection through redundancy.
Automatic Backup Software
Small office and home network users can use the software included with the WD ShareSpace network storage system to automatically and continuously back up their networked computers. The mirroring capability offered in RAID 1 (mirrored) and RAID 5 modes provides users the added assurance of a redundant backup of their data.
Cooler, quieter, eco-friendlier
With WD’s GreenPower™ drive technology inside, this system consumes as much as 33 percent less power than standard systems, is reliably cool and remarkably quiet.
Features
The new high-speed network storage systems feature:
- A small-footprint, 4-bay storage system that takes up very little space and provides plenty of storage to go around;
- GigE connectivity with data transfer rates up to one gigabit per second when used in a GigE network;
- RAID 0/1/5 capabilities for data protection and speed;
- WD’s unique MioNet remote Web access service (for PC and Mac) that lets users access the drive from anywhere;
- Automatic and continuous network backup software including licenses to back up 3 computers;
- E-mail alert system that monitors drive and system health and sends you an e-mail if a problem is detected;
- Microsoft® Active Directory® directory service support;
- Plug a USB drive into the front-mounted USB 2.0 port and push a button to transfer automatically all the data on the drive to the WD ShareSpace system;
- Equipped with WD drives using WD GreenPower technology, this system, with its efficient cooling architecture and power saving mode, consumes up to 33 percent less power2 and is reliably cool and quiet;
- Download manager that supports scheduled downloads through FTP and HTTP;
- iTunes server;
- Windows Vista® operating system ready;
- Built-in FTP server;
- 3 USB 2.0 ports; and,
- 3-year limited warranty.
About WD
WD, one of the storage industry’s pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company produces reliable, high-performance hard drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss. WD applies its storage expertise to consumer products for external, portable and shared storage applications.
WD was founded in 1970. The company’s storage products are marketed to leading systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital® and WD brand names. Visit the Investor section of the company’s Web site (www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.
1 Includes software licenses for up to 3 computers.
2 Tests based on comparison between a 1 TB dual-drive system using 7200 RPM drives and a 1 TB dual-drive system using WD’s GreenPower drives.
