Linksys Expands Line of Network Attached Storage Devices

Enterprise Networks & Servers, Aug 2004

Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems, has announced the new Ethernet Network Attached Storage Device with PrintServer and 250GB hard drive (EFG250) that provides file and printer sharing as well as backup and remote management via the Internet.

The new Linksys NAS appliance offers 250GB of IDE hard drive storage space that stands upright for small spaces or lays flat on the desktop. Storage capacity can increase to 500GB by adding an additional 250GB drive to the empty second drive bay. Once a second drive is installed, users can back up the first drive manually or on a schedule. Additional quick-connect hard drive trays (EFGHDT2) are available, so users can quickly swap multiple backup drives to create rotating backups.

The Linksys NAS device is gigabit ready with a 10/100/1000 port, which can connect the NAS device to a gigabit backbone. It can also connect to a wireless network in areas where there are no Ethernet connections by using the Linksys Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge (WET54G). Plug the Bridge into the gigabit port and he hard drive content can be shared wirelessly.

"Our small business customers tell us 'We can never have enough storage,'" said Steve Troyer, director of product marketing for Linksys. "We've expanded our network storage line to meet the needs of businesses and resellers who demand more affordable, easy to use storage. We also wanted to provide functionalities that would enable their networks to grow as their business does - the extra hard drive bay is an example of this."

Features of the Network Attached Storage with 250GB and PrintServer include the following.

* 250GB storage solution with print server, DHCP server, and FTP server for Internet attached storage.

* Second available IDE hard drive bay that allows for the easy add-on of another 250GB hard drive for a total capacity of 500GB.

* Share multimedia or data files with managed access by user name or group.

* Built-in disk utilities - back up, self test, scan disk and defrag.

* Operating system sits on the unit itself, not on the hard drives.

www.linksys.com