WD today announced that WD ShareSpace network storage systems now offer 8 TB (terabytes) of capacity, up to 30 percent faster transfer speeds, and DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) media streaming capabilities. Combined with its ease-of-use and small footprint, WD ShareSpace is now a more compelling solution for small offices and digital media enthusiasts who want to store, protect and share massive amounts of content.
Responding to small-business customers’ needs for increased shared storage, WD incorporated its industry-first 2 terabyte WD Caviar Green drive into WD ShareSpace’s flexible four-bay design, creating a massive 8 TB of storage in a small footprint.
The included WD Anywhere Backup software provides automatic and continuous protection for the valuable data from every PC and Mac on the network.
To speed up both backup and storage, WD improved WD ShareSpace’s read and write speeds up to 30 percent for large media files. Current WD ShareSpace owners may download the new firmware update (http://www.wdc.com/en/products/wdsharespace/) to experience these performance improvements.
Twenty-six percent of broadband households worldwide find it very appealing to be able to play PC-stored content on their TV, and the majority of consumers buying network storage cite as important the ability to serve content to other devices (58 percent), according to a recent Parks Associates studies (Aug. 2008).
To meet the needs of digital media enthusiasts, WD added a DLNA Certified media server to the WD ShareSpace system, making it easy to stream music, photos and videos to popular DLNA-Certified devices including Windows Vista PCs, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The previously included iTunes Music Server lets anyone on the network stream the music collection on WD ShareSpace to any PC or Mac running iTunes.
Features
- 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
- Email alert system that monitors drive and system health and sends you an email if a problem is detected
- UPnP/DLNA 1.5 Certified Media Server
- iTunes server for centralized shared music
- 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
- Automatic and continuous network backup software including licenses to back up 3 computers
- WD’s unique MioNet remote web access service (for PC and Mac) that lets users access the drive from anywhere
- Download manager that supports scheduled downloads through FTP and HTTP
- Windows Vista operating system ready
- Built-in FTP server
- 3 USB 2.0 ports
- 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 power3 and is reliably cool and quiet
- 3-year limited warranty.
Price
The 8 terabyte Western Digital WD ShareSpace has an RRP of $3,799.
