Network Storage Servers For SMBs From WD

Digital storage specialist Western Digital announced the release of the WD Sentinel DX4000, a network storage server aimed at small and midsized businesses.

The DX4000 includes the Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials operating system software and the Intel D525 Dual Core Atom CPU. The DX4000 offers centralised shared storage and automatic server-based backup and restore for up to 25 devices (PC and Mac) in the network, as well as data protection with built-in hardware and software redundancy for all of the connected devices in the network.

Public cloud connection

Sentinel comes preconfigured with enterprise-class drives, RAID storage protection, built-in server based backup and recovery software, redundant networking ports and a redundant power option. In addition, WD Sentinel offers users the ability to connect to a “public cloud” storage provider. With capacities including 4TB and 8TB, the DX4000 small office storage server acts as the “on-premise cloud storage” for the SMB.

The DX4000 is available via the company’s Website, starting at $949.99 (£600) for 4TB and $1,449.99 (£920) for the 8TB.

The DX4000 provides five levels of data protection for every device on the small office network and is supported by WD Guardian Services. Automatic backup and recovery software provides daily full system back ups for up to 25 devices on the network, and Dual Gigabit Ethernet configured in Adaptive Fault Tolerance (AFT) automatically switches to a second network port in the event of a network failure.

Sentinel is certified to be compatible with a variety of operating systems including Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. In addition, Sentinel is compatible with Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard for file sharing among Windows, Mac and Unix/Linux operating systems and allows businesses to share files with clients, consultants, and inter-office personnel regardless of the OS used.

On-site and secure

“The WD Sentinel small office storage server is the ideal storage, backup, and secure remote access solution for any SMB,” said Thomas Gallivan, vice president of marketing for WD’s SMB Solutions Group. “The ability to have centralised storage that is both on-premise and offers secure remote access provides a small business owner and employees the flexibility needed for today’s mobile lifestyle. WD is providing small business owners with a hands-free solution that offers complete data protection and unparalleled peace of mind.”

In conjunction with the DX4000 launch, the company is also introducing SelectWD SMB Partner Program, a channel program that supports IT professionals and VARs servicing the needs of midmarket companies. The program is designed to help enable partners to grow their businesses by providing all of the tools and resources required to locally market, sell and support the DX4000 and WD Guardian service plans.

“The requirement for collaboration across multiple devices and locations necessitates the need for a centralised storage solution in today’s SMB environment,” said David Tuhy, general manager of Intel’s data centre and connected systems group. “Intel is working closely with the industry and companies like Western Digital to provide the technology that is at the core of these storage solutions and provide SMBs a platform to manage, organise and secure their data to ensure business continuity.”