nas

Storage area networks need not apply

Last week I attended the GigaOM Structure Big Data conference in New York City. Although my resume says I'm a storage analyst of long standing, this was not a storage conference. However, my e-mail inbox reminds me daily that storage vendors think "big data" spells big opportunity so I went to see how and how much they can really contribute to the advancement of big-data analytics.

This conference only confirmed a suspicion that's been building for that last few months as I've been following the big-data wave: Big-data practitioners are generally hostile to shared storage. … Read more

Get a Pogoplug network storage adapter for $49.95

This is an update of a deal I posted last year.

The CloudEngines Pogoplug is a seriously cool gadget that turns one or more USB hard drives into network-attached storage. And not just network-attached, but also Web-accessible. And phone-accessible. The key word here? "Accessible."

It originally sold for $129, but the second-generation Pogoplug is on sale at B&H Photo for just $49.95 shipped. The only catch: You'll have to accept the eye-searing pink design.

Here's how the gizmo works: you plug up to four USB hard drives into the Pogoplug, then connect the … Read more

Synology DS1511+ review: Storage, features, performance galore

You won't find any network storage device that offers more space than the recently reviewed five-bay DS1511+ NAS server from Synology.

This is the first NAS we've reviewed that has up to 15TB of storage space out of the box, by supporting the new 3TB hard drives. On top of that, when used with two DX510 expansion units, the server's storage space can be scaled up to be 45TB. With front-facing drive bays, it's easy to replace or add more hard drives to the systems.

Apart from standard RAID configurations, the DS1511+ also offers Synologoy Hybrid RAID, which is similar to RAID 5, that allows you to add/upgrade hard drives to the system without building the RAID setup from the beginning, hence retaining the existing data. And then after that, if 45TB still isn't not enough, you can use the four USB ports to add more. … Read more

Synology upgrades its slim four-bay NAS server

More than a year ago, Synology released the DiskStation DS409Slim, which was an excellent network storage solution for a space-conscious environment. The server was one of a few, if not the only, four-bay NAS servers that host 2.5-inch laptop hard drives, instead of the regular 3.5-inch desktop hard drives, allowing it to be much more compact.

Today, the company announced the upgrade of the same server, called DS411Slim, with a faster processor and 256MB of RAM (as opposed to just 128MB of the DS409Slim).

Like all NAS servers from Synology, the DS411Slim runs DiskStation Manager (DSM) operation system (… Read more

Which 'big data' are you talking about?

Late last year I posted a blog item about big data and if/when it would present opportunities for storage vendors. I concluded by saying that, while it was a bit early for next-year prognostications, I expected to see the number of storage devices aimed at analytics applications blossom in 2011 with more storage vendors pursuing the opportunity.

It's now 2011 and I stand by that prediction. However, at least three definitions of big data have blossomed since that posting:

Big-data storage: systems that store really big (as in humongous) amounts of data Big-data analytics: systems that use new … Read more

Seagate reinforces BlackArmor NAS with IoSafe disaster-proof drive

LAS VEGAS--Soon you'll be able to make your BlackArmor NAS server even tougher.

Seagate today showed off at CES 2011 a new storage package that the company says offers the ultimate in data security. It combines the flagship BlackArmor 440 NAS server, which offers RAID 5 and up to 12GB of storage space, with an IoSafe SoloPro disaster-proof external hard drive, which is used as a backup drive for the BlackArmor server.

The external hard drive is branded with the Seagate logo and called a fireproof/waterproof BlackArmor external hard drive. This is similar to how the company has … Read more

Iomega 4-bay NAS server gets cloud service

Together with cloud editions of the single-volume Home Media Network and dual-bay StorCenter ix2-200, Iomega announced today that it's going to add its new Personal Cloud feature to its flagship 4-bay NAS server, the ix4-200d Cloud Edition.

Unlike the first two that will be available later this month, the ix4-200d Cloud Edition won't ship until March.

The ix4-200d Cloud Edition is very similar to its dual-bay brother but differentiates itself by offering more storage (up to 12TB); more RAID configurations (RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5); and two Gigabit ports for more consistent performance during heavy loads.… Read more

Iomega dual-bay NAS server rises to cloud

Iomega announced today that it's shipping an upgraded version of its StorCenter ix2-200 that boasts better performance and the company's Personal Cloud service.

The new Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 has the same name and physical look as the existing one. To make it less confusing, the company added "Cloud Edition" to the product's name.

The new dual-bay NAS server comes in 2TB, 4TB, and 6TB capacities (the previous model caps at 4TB). It supports RAID 1, JOBD, and iSCSI, an advanced network storage feature that lets a computer manipulate the NAS server's storage as its … Read more

Iomega Home Media Drive NAS server now with cloud

I reviewed the Iomega Home Media Network Drive awhile ago and found it to be a very good NAS server for home users. Iomega announced an upgraded version of this product today, and it seems even better.

The new Home Media Network Drive shares the same physical design as the previous model. It comes with two USB ports (front and back) and one Gigabit network port. Iomega, however, says that it's now equipped with improved internal hardware based on a dual-core processor that allows for much faster performance.

Most significantly, however, is the fact that it's one of … Read more