It’s not a question you’d ask yourself often, but if it has crossed your mind, the answer might surprise you.WD is now selling their ShareSpace Network Storage Systems with 8TB of included HDD space for the $3,799. That’s a lot of money, especially in today’s market, but that includes 8TB of space, which is quite simply huge.
It’s being targetted at small businesses and bittorrent fiends “digital media enthusiasts”, and does all the regular things you’d expect a NAS to do (like backup your PCs and Macs, for example). A full feature list is below for those of you enchanted by the idea of 8TB, but the real question to ask yourself here is: Do you really need this much space?
The new high-speed network storage systems feature:
•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;
•E-mail alert system that monitors drive and system health and sends you an e-mail 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(2) 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; and,
•3-year limited warranty.
[WD]
Adz
May 19, 2009 at 4:24 PM
It’s pricey when you consider 2TB WD drives cost around $500 each, so four would be $2000. That means you paying $1799 just for the empty NAS.
While 8TB seems huge, I have 3TB NAS at home that is 80% full. I probably just need to clean up, but sometimes buying more space seems easier than house cleaning hard drive.
Report PermalinkSam
May 19, 2009 at 4:46 PM
This seems really expensive. With current MSY prices across 9 drives (in reality it’s probably 8 drives and you loose space using RAID5 mode) you’re paying about $2.5k just for the box.
You could grab a tiny case/mobo and build a Linux box for MUCH less than that which would have a lot more features.
Report Permalinkswherdman
May 19, 2009 at 11:41 PM
built a 12TB one with 8×1.5TB drives and one of thesse. http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8896 for about the same price and to be honest i am quite suprised by how good a product the NAS is, sometimes the big end of town can be the same prices as the mid range, especially when your dealing with rather specialized products (how many home users these days need this much space?)
Report Permalinkmatt
May 20, 2009 at 2:10 PM
from umart:
pentium dual core: $99
gigabyte mobo with gigabit, 4xsata, onboard gfx: $75
2g ram: $33
pci 4xsata card: $45
8xWD 1TB harddrives: $1039.20 ($130 each)
total: $1,291
there you go, that leaves just over 2.5k to spend on PSU, case and software. might be a bit of a stretch but i’m sure you could find them and end up with something cheaper than this WD thing!
1.5 TB drives are reasonably priced but the 2TB ones are just rip-offs at the moment.
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