News

posted on 21 May 2008 03:51

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Web2Storage Corporation www.web2storage.com, a stealth-mode startup, is revealing its first Web2Storage product in June. It is an external disk drive that connects to an Internet access router and is accessible locally or remotely from Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard PCs.

Logically the device is a network-attached storage (NAS) box but it is not accessed in a NAS way. Customers buy an external drive that is Web2Drive-enabled from a retailer. This has the Web2Storage software installed on a partition. It is connected to a wired or wireless router in an office via an Erthernet cable.

The device and software uses Microsoft Vista Rally technology and special chip controllers to give users a one-click install of this network storage device. It then appears as a local drive letter on a computer connected to the same router, just as if a USB-connected external drive had been plugged in to it.

However the extra sizzle in Web2Storage's steak is that the user now has secure remote access to their data on the drive from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection; they don't have to carry the storage device with them.

Also, when combined with backup application software, Web2Drive provides an automated local backup capability rivaling Apple's “Time Capsule” but for Vista as well as Leopard.

The device depends upon semiconductor controllers from companies such as Freescale, Intel, and Marvell. Data transfer rates of 50-80 MB/sec (sufficient for multiple HDTV streams) have been demonstrated and can be increased depending on the chosen processor.

Web2Drive will be seen in public for the first time at the Windows Rally Summit at the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA, on June 4th and 5th.

The event will also mark the debut of Web2Server, which uses Web 2.0 services to enable small businesses without IT resources, budgets, or expertise to perform a 1-click installation of a Data Server System and automated email, backup, and encryption applications. Like Web2Drive, Web2Server will be demonstrated on multiple storage and processor platforms.

Products utilizing the Web2Drive technology are slated to be available at your favorite US retailer for the holiday buying season. Web2Drive can also be purchased from the Web2Storage website. It is priced at $995.

^{[Paul Roberts, news editor.]}