NETWORK WORLD JAMES E. GASKIN'S SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY 12/02/04 Today's focus: Tritton debuts first wireless NAS
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Overall, a smart way to add storage to the living room network �� * Links related to Small Business Technology * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by McAfee Get proactive security you can trust. Why strain your IT resources monitoring viruses and reacting to each emerging security threat? McAfee brings next-generation intrusion prevention solutions (IPS) to businesses of any size. Learn more about the proactive security solutions that leading Global 2000 companies trust-affordable, accurate, and scalable protection. Visit http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=89361 _______________________________________________________________ COMPREHENSIVE ENTERPRISE STORAGE INFORMATION Go to NW Fusion's Research Center for detailed information on enterprise storage. Find the latest breaking news, case studies, white papers, commentary, reviews and more. Topics on how ILM impacts your storage strategy, how to migrate to a new tape drive, how to link SAN islands and more are all found in the Research Center. Click here: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=89342 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Tritton debuts first wireless NAS By James E. Gaskin Network-attached storage devices continue to multiply, with new products such as the SimpleTech SimpleOffice Storage Server coming soon (see editorial link below). But the new Tritton Wi-Fi NAS is the first I've seen that connects via a 802.11g wireless connection. In November 2003, I tested a Tritton combination NAS/router/firewall (see editorial link below). That unit showed promise but needed a better admin interface and some rough edges smoothed (like balky DHCP client support). The Tritton Wi-Fi NAS includes those improvements. About the size of a glass brick, the new Wi-Fi NAS connects via 802.11g or wired Ethernet, and works with Windows, Linux and Mac clients. The device costs $399 for 120G bytes or $499 for 200G bytes, but expect lower street prices for the holidays. The Web admin screens are pretty but not deep. Tritton provides a public shared directory and five others, making it easy to organize files and control user access to shared areas. Passwords control whether users can just read the files or have full access to read and write. You can change the default names (Public and Share 1-5) easily. Wireless support works out of the box, and the admin screen makes wireless setup a breeze. Because the NAS isn't a full router, users connecting to the system wirelessly can see the wired network (when the included Ethernet port is connected to your existing network), but wired users can't see any wireless devices. But does the world need a wireless NAS? After all, you still need a power plug, so what's the advantage? As with wireless printers, it's great to tuck a NAS away from the network (but close to a power plug.) More Internet-streamed media is finding its way to the TV and stereo in the den, and that means more storage. This is a good alternative to stringing Ethernet cable to your entertainment system. In the office, any company traveling for work with more than one laptop might find shared wireless storage worthwhile. For instance, a friend handles registration for karate tournaments; with the Wi-Fi NAS, Jon could plop down a few laptops on the registration table and make 200G bytes of data available without extra cords to trip over (some of those karate people are amazingly clumsy). Of course, taking along a standard NAS and a small wireless router will provide the same features, plus (probably) a firewall to protect an Internet connection. Extra baggage? A small wireless router (the new travel routers from Netgear and 3Com are the size of a paperback book) and an Ethernet patch cord. While the Wi-Fi NAS makes networking a bit more convenient, the workaround is also quick and easy. You'll want to price both options and go with the cheaper. Let's hope Tritton updates some things for Version 2.0. Supporting Wi-Fi Protected Access rather than just Wired Equivalent Privacy should have been included at the outset. And adding the routing necessary for wired devices to reach the wireless Wi-Fi NAS is more than just a nice touch; seeing who's connecting to your wireless network lets you watch out for freeloaders. RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS Tritton Wi-Fi NAS http://www.trittontechnologies.com/products/TRIWHD1120.htm Tritton does convergence right Network World, 11/24/0 http://www.nwfusion.com/nlsmallbusinesst870 SimpleTech launches NAS device for the home Network World, 11/15/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2004/111504cooltools.html _______________________________________________________________ To contact: James E. Gaskin Gaskin writes books (13 so far), articles and jokes about technology and real life from his home office in the Dallas area. He has been helping small and midsize businesses use technology intelligently since 1986. He can be reached at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by SBC Dialing for Dollars CRATE & BARREL'S VOIP MOVE NETS SAVINGS AND FLEXIBILITY An apples-to-apples comparison showed that a centralized, software-based, IP-based platform could provide significant cost savings and productivity benefits over a comparable, traditional PBX system. Download whitepaper now, click here http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88821 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Archive of the Small Business Technology newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/columnists/gaskin.html Breaking telework and SMB news: http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/ _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE COMPREHENSIVE ENTERPRISE STORAGE INFORMATION Go to NW Fusion's Research Center for detailed information on enterprise storage. Find the latest breaking news, case studies, white papers, commentary, reviews and more. Topics on how ILM impacts your storage strategy, how to migrate to a new tape drive, how to link SAN islands and more are all found in the Research Center. Click here: <http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/storage.html> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. 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