Addonics NAS adapter turns any USB storages into NAS drives

Addonics has a pretty neat gadget that can add any USB-based storage into a networked drive – a crossed platform USB-to-NAS adapter that supports SMB and open source Samba network protocols for variety of popular OS, including Windows, Linux 2.6.x,Solaris 9 and Mac platforms. For $55 a pop, that's probably the most cost-effective way to add any USB storage devices onto your LAN.

That's not all; the NAS adapter also provides FTP access for up to eight simultaneous connections with an internet connection, configures as your print server, or bit-torrent file downloading appliance and works conjunction with Addonics Storage Towers or Storage Rack to add Lan-based storage instantly with Raid functionality.

The Addonics NAS adapter also has a niche bus-power feature that can power up USB storage with low start-up power hdd devices. It would sweeten the deal if the built-in Ethernet 10/100 Mbps is Gigabyte certified.

NAS lovers can get their hands on the Addonics NAS adaptor now at company online store.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec 11, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Addonics Technologies ( www.addonics.com) today announced the Addonics NAS (network attached storage) adapter, a low-cost way to add USB storage devices onto a local area network.

Once on the network, USB storage can be shared by any network user just like any NAS device. In addition, the new solution allows users to custom build their own NAS appliance with unlimited expansion and RAID capability by using Addonics family of drive enclosures, port multipliers and IO converters. When used with Addonics storage towers or racks, users can instantly add to any LAN multi-tera bytes of storage with RAID capabilities.

The NAS adapter supports both SMB (Server Message Block) and the open source Samba network protocols. This allows for cross-platform access of all shared data for most versions of Windows, Mac OS X, and various Linux distributions. The adapter comes with a USB 2.0/1.1 connection and a fast Ethernet 10/100Mbps connection.

For remote users who are not connected over the LAN, the NAS Adapter provides FTP access for up to eight simultaneous users anywhere in the world with an internet connection. In addition, the NAS adapter can also be used as a print server or as a bit-torrent file downloading appliance.

Other features include support for fast Ethernet 10/100 Mbps; the ability to power most 2.5" USB hard drives or any low powered USB storage device; simple installation; small and light weight (about the size of a C battery); support for Samba and FTP servers; and user management that allows read only or read/write access to folders. The Addonics NAS adapter is compatible with all Windows OS, Mac OS, Linux 2.6.x and above, Solaris 9 and above.

List price of the NAS is $55.