Network storage systems, which used to be primarily an enterprise or business setup that serves as a centralized storage for all the company’s PCs, are now getting introduced to the consumer market or even SOHO segment via products like WD’s My Book Live Duo.
The My Book Live Duo looks every bit a portable desktop hard drive. But it is actually a personal cloud storage system that combines the benefits of shared storage and remote access via smartphone, tablet or PC. It also features double-safe backup or increased capacity of a dual-drive system through RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology. (This is the first time that I heard of a portable storage that features RAID).
Because of the RAID feature, My Book Live Duo continuously maintains a second copy of all your files for real-time data backup in mirrored mode (RAID 1). Half the capacity is used to store users’ data and half is used for a second copy. In the unlikely event that one drive fails, data is protected because it’s duplicated on the other drive.
In spanning mode, the two-drive system combines both drives into one large volume acting as one drive for maximum storage capacity, while its built-in 800 MHz CPU delivers the power and performance needed for today’s most demanding applications.
WD’s Personal Cloud
WD has been harping about the “Personal Cloud” feature in all its new products. But what is it really and how does it work?
It is actually the drive’s ability to connect to a home network to create shared storage that users can access within the home or anywhere in the world through a secure remote access.
The remote access thing is all about making the iPad, iPhone, or an Android tablet or phone, or a remote PC as access terminals for the home-based WD My Book Live Duo.
Remote access to My Book Live and My Book Live Duo is available on any computer through www.WD2go.com and with WD mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or Android smartphones and tablets.
Home Entertainment Hub
Additionally, the My Book Live Duo system’s built-in media server streams movies, photos and music to any DLNA-certified multimedia device such as a WD TV Live streaming media player, Blu-ray Disc player, PlayStation 3, as well as Xbox 360s and smart TVs.
Users can also stream movies, photos and music to their tablet or smartphone directly from My Book Live Duo through the WD 2go mobile application.
“My Book Live Duo is really the ideal, all-in-one Bull storage and entertainment solution for today’s ultra-connected consumer,” explains Chris, director of marketing for WD’s Connected Home Solutions group. “The ability for consumers to safely backup all their digital content, as well as access and share content from anywhere in the world on their tablet, smartphone or any computer, truly provides a unique and rewarding experience for anyone who wants to enjoy, and needs to protect, valuable digital content.”
Compatibility
My Book Live Duo is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X Leopard, Snow Leopard, or Lion, as well as DLNA/UPnP enabled devices.
Price and Availability
My Book Live Duo personal cloud storage is available at select retailers and is distributed by Iontech Technologies Inc. in the Philippines. MSRP is Php 19,290 for 4 TB and Php 22,900 for 6 TB.
