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]