Western Digital (http://www.wdc.com) has introduced its new WD
ShareSpace high-speed network storage systems that provide
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.
The WD ShareSpace 4-bay storage systems with Gigabit Ethernet (GigE)
interface provide up to 4TB 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 backup(1). 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,” says 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.”
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 (http://www.wdc.com). The manfacturer’s suggested retail price
for the WD ShareSpace storage system with 2TB is $699.99; MSRP for
the WD ShareSpace storage system with 4TB is $999.99.
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 4TB system, is the recommended
mode to achieve both high performance and data protection through
redundancy.
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.With
WD’s GreenPower drive technology inside, this system consumes as much
as 33 percent less power than standard systems.