Product Roundup: Keeping it All Together
On your desk or on the road, new hard disk drives (HDD) combine high-capacity storage with features designed to enhance security and productivity. LockBox, from Micro Solutions, is a portable HDD with biometric security. This sub-$250, 120 GB unit uses a fingerprint sensor to control access to sensitive data. For high capacity and convenience, the Maxtor One Touch external HDDs provide fast, easy backup of files. Maxtor's flagship BO1D300 ($350) provides a whopping 300 GB of storage, and is equipped with both USB 2.0 and FireWire interfaces for Mac and PC use.
Data to Go
Combining the speed of an HDD and the convenience of removable media, Iomega's new REV series uses cartridge-type disks that are convenient for backup or for shuttling large work files from office to home. The REV 35 GB external drive with USB 2.0 or FireWire capability costs less than $400, and saves 35 GB or more on each $59 removable REV disk.
New double layer DVDs offer a fast and convenient way to back up and archive personal and business data. DVD+R DL media are already available from Imation and other manufacturers, and can store up to 8.5 GB, nearly double the storage capacity of a conventional recordable DVD. Sony's DRU-700A ($180) and Lite-On's SOHW-832S (around $100) internal drives can write and read both double layer DVD+R and single layer DVD+/-/R/RW discs.
Networked Storage
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) provides shared data access for workgroups, easy data management, and data backup.
The Linksys NSLU2 ($100) connects USB hard drives directly to your Ethernet network for shared use. You can set up secure access by user name or group, schedule backups, and even access your files via the Internet. Netgear's WGT634U 108 Mbps Wireless Media Router adds secure wireless access to USB hard disk control, and is available for less than $150.
For more demanding applications, multiple-disc NAS servers provide a high-level of security and time saving performance. The Snap Server 2200, from Snap Appliance (around $1,500), is a compact easy-to-manage unit with two 160 GB EIDE drives. It works in mixed Windows, Linux, and Mac environments, and offers flexible RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) options for data protection.
EMC provides a variety of storage solutions designed to maximize the value and security of networked data. These range from the NetWin 110 NAS system ($6,100 plus the cost of drives) for smaller companies that require up to 35 terrabytes (TB) of storage, to complete data life-cycle management solutions that address the specific business and compliance needs of industries, such as Healthcare and Financial Services. For growing organizations with large data storage requirements StorageTek's StreamLine SL500 modular library system can provide access to as much as 115 TB of uncompressed data, equivalent to the content of more than 1,700 CDs.
Why Lug Around a Laptop When You Don't Need To?
The Imation USB 2.0 Swivel Flash Drive (available in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB capacities) is a compact and powerful flash device featuring a miniature form-factor and a proprietary "never-lose" swivel cap. With an ultra-fast USB 2.0 connection, it's the quick and easy way to transfer or share business presentations, digital photos and videos, or other large files. Use the lanyard around your neck to wear the drive like a pendant or slip it into your pocket or toss it into your briefcase -- it weighs only one ounce.
For more information, visit www.imation.com/flash.
