Iomega has two updated NASes for its CES lineup.
Iomega is once again refreshing its two-bay StorCenter NAS. But it is not making it easy to tell the new from the old model, since it’s keeping even the model number (ix2-200) the same.
The 2012 ix2 has a new 1.3 GHz Marvell 6282 Kirwood processor, but keeps a relatively low RAM complement of 256 MB. Both 3.5" SATA drives are user replaceable.
Iomega has tried to simplify initial setup with the goal of making it "as easy to install as USB drive". Same goes for client backup, with the addition of a new Windows/MacOS QuikProtect client. QuikProtect defaults to back up just about everything on your computer except OS files. But if you don’t like that much backed up, you can whittle things down as you like.
The new ix2 also supports up to five UPnP network cameras by Axis, Bosch or Panasonic out of the box. The cameras can capture and store MPEG-4 video directly to the ix2, playback files and tap into live camera feeds, all with no computer required.
Also included is Axis’ Video Hosting Service (AVHS) for cloud-based management of video cameras and storage of surveillance content and one license for MindTree’s SecureMind video service management software.
Other ix2 features include Iomega’s Personal Cloud, Iomega Link iOS remote access app, VMware and XenServer certification, Apple Time Machine support, block level iSCSI target support, folder quotas ans Windows Active Directory support.
Seven models are slated to begin shipping next month and carry a three-year limited warranty (all prices are MSRP):
- Diskless – $199.99
- Single drive – $249.99/1 TB; $349.99/2 TB; $449.99/3 TB
- Dual drive – $419.99/2 TB; $579.99/4 TB; $769.99/6 TB
Continuing the ease-of-use focus is the new EZ Media & Backup Center. This is a single-drive NAS, with a feature set similar to last-year’s Home Media Network Hard Drive, Cloud Edition.
The EZ has slightly more of a media focus than the ix2, with the addition of Torrent downloading and automatic file posting to Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. But it shares the ix2’s QuikProtect backup, iTunes/UPnP AV/DLNA media serving and Time Machine backup features and supports Personal Cloud and Iomega Link for remote access.
Ease of use is again emphasized, with no-CD-required online setup and simplified user interface.
Three models start shipping next month and carry three-year limited warranties. 1, 2 and 3 TB models will have MSRP’s of $219.99, $299.99 and $399.99, respectively.