LaCie today introduced a new version of its award-winning Ethernet Disk, a network-attached storage (NAS) device featuring a capacity increase of up to 6TB in a 1U 19″ rack form factor. Designed by Neil Poulton, it is the most compact all-in-one rack-mounted backup appliance operating in heterogeneous ecosystems.
Connectivity includes gigabit ethernet for hooking the drive up to the network, together with four USB 2.0 ports for adding extra capacity or, more likely in the small to medium business applications LaCie envisage the NAS being bought for, performing secondary back-ups to external drives later taken for off-site storage. The Ethernet Disk runs Windows XP Embedded – and has VGA monitor, keyboard and mouse ports – and has a built-in backup engine.
LaCie Ethernet Disk features:
- 1U 19″ rack-mounted backup solution for small and medium business
- Most comprehensive data backup and protection software suite in its class
- Can be used together with Apple® Time Machine™
- Powered by trusted Windows® XP Embedded
- Instantly store and share files with Mac®, PC, Linux or Unix users
Designed for small and medium business needs, the Ethernet Disk is powered by the field-proven Windows XP embedded operating system that provides all the necessary features for data backup, storage and file-sharing through its Gigabit Ethernet connection. Thanks to Active Directory compatibility, the LaCie Ethernet Disk supports a total of 100 users with customizable access rights to different shares, with up to 25 concurrent users.
“Microsoft is pleased to work with LaCie to provide the core embedded foundation for its new Ethernet Disk,” said John Doyle, Senior Product Manager for the Windows Embedded Business. “We are excited to provide customers with an innovative platform that allows them to develop a, smart, connected device that offers increased security and storage capabilities.”
Developed to provide data protection for Windows, MAC, Linux and Unix-based workstations, the LaCie Ethernet Disk ships with three licenses of both Genie Backup Manager ProTM for Windows and Intego Backup Manager ProTM for Mac, which can perform scheduled file backups for workstations. The LaCie Ethernet Disk’s ability to work together with Apple Time Machine allows Mac users to take advantage of the continuous data protection the software provides.
The included backup software protects against major disasters and natural catastrophes by offering a computer recovery function for selected workstations. Optional extra licenses are available through the LaCie online store.
The LaCie Ethernet Disk can integrate into any global disaster recovery plan, as its built-in engine can back up its volumes either onto a USB-connected DAS (direct-attached storage) to be taken off-site, or remotely onto another NAS.
“Backing up data – even mission-critical data – always boils down to making and storing copies of data, located on your primary storage device, onto a secondary device,” said Erwan Girard, LaCie Product Manager. “For this reason, the perfect backup companion for your information system should be kept simple and cost-effective. The LaCie Ethernet Disk offers computer backup and recovery, and backs itself up onto a NAS or DAS, all at the best price-per-terabyte ratio in the market. It is therefore an excellent complement to the complex and expensive technology used in front end storage servers.”
The LaCie Ethernet Disk is available immediately in capacities of 2TB, 4TB and 6TB through the LaCie Online Store or LaCie resellers at the suggested retail price starting at $749.99 (excluding VAT), which includes a three-year limited warranty.