Gigabyte releases USB 3.0 PCI Express Card

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

The GA-USB3 PCI Express expansion card that will allow any old and current system to enjoy the benefits of the new universal serial bus standard, if you can find some actual USB 3 devicxes that is :)

Gigabyte recently also revealed an upcoming motherboard that, based on AMD's 890GX chipset, with onboard USB 3.0 support with two connectors. Still, there is no clear indication of exactly when this board will debut. As such, the company has decided to offer a substitute, especially considering that, now, there is a reasonable variety of devices compatible with the new standard.

The device is dubbed the GA-USB3.0 PCI-Express expansion card and operates on the PCI Express x1 interface. It uses a 2oz copper blue PCB and boasts an MOLEX power plug through which connected devices are supplied with up to three times more watts than otherwise possible. The number of actual SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports that the GA-USB3.0 provides is equal to two.

The company has already made this product widely available and has given it a price tag of $39.99, which is the equivalent of 31 Euro.


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Intel Dual-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

Intel has unveiled a dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter. Intel worked hard on implementing the highest level of energy efficiency in order to put together an adapter with two distinct 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports. The X520-T2 will give administrators the ability to use any of the two ports as a redundant connection in case the other should fail. This capability, however, is but a part of the product's functionality.

The X520-T2 10 Gigbit Ethernet adapter is an efficient solution that uses cost-effective RJ-45 connections that can operate over distances of up to 100 meters. While the high data transfers, scalability and flexibility of 10 Gigabit performance are noteworthy in themselves, the adapter also boasts performance-enhancing features for multi-core environments, such as the Intel I/O Acceleration Technology, which allows for the efficient distribution of Ethernet workloads across the different CPU cores.

In addition, MSI-X will improve the application response by minimizing the overhead interrupts. CPU utilization can also be reduced through the use of stateless offloads, such as the TCP segmentation offload, header replications/splitting and Direct Cache Access (DCA).

Besides the adapter's capability of using a port as a redundant connection in case of failure, there is another special feature that can be taken advantage of. The X520-T2 can actually combine both ports into a single pipeline running at a 20GbE speed. Another


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Eye-Fi Card drop to $40

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

So handy .. we certainly are fans of Eye-Fi cards, and rightly so: these SD cards include a wireless antenna that automatically sends pictures you take to your computer and to any number of photo sharing sites over your wireless network.

Our biggest quibble with the Eye-Fi cards is that they


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QNAP Expands Turbo NAS Lineup with 2-drive TS-210

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of world class NAS servers, NVR Video Surveillance Systems, and Network-based Video Players today expanded their Turbo NAS lineup with the addition of the TS-210 desktop NAS server targeted specifically at the SOHO and Prosumer market segments. The TS-210 supports up to 2 3.5" SATA hard drives with up to 4TB of total capacity (using 2TB drives) and features a Marvell 800MHz CPU and 256MB DDRII memory which provides sustained high performance with low power consumption. The TS-210 can be configured to RAID 1 for high data redundancy. The TS-210 also supports iSCSI Target service with Thin Provisioning and a Gigabit LAN port, features generally found on much higher end NAS servers. The TS-210 is equipped 3 USB ports (1 front, 2 back panel) for expanding the storage capacity, printer sharing, or data backup to an external storage device.

The TS-210 is a smart choice for installation in home or home-based business as it is fully compatible with Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and UNIX networks. It features a built-in UPnP/ DLNA media server (with TwonkyMedia enabled) supporting a wide range of DLNA media players such as Sony


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QNAP launches TS-410 NAS

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of world class NAS servers, NVR Video Surveillance Systems, and Network-based Video Players today expanded their Turbo NAS lineup with the addition of the TS-410 desktop NAS server targeted specifically at the SOHO and Prosumer market segments. The TS-410 features 4 hot-swappable SATA hard drives with up to 8 TB of total capacity (with 2TB drives) and supports 2.5" or 3.5" hard drives, giving users more flexibility in selecting drives for installation. The TS-410 features a Marvell 800MHz CPU and 256MB DDRII memory which provides sustained high performance with low power consumption. The TS-410 can be configured for RAID 0/1/5/6/5+ spare, and JBOD with online RAID capacity expansion and online RAID level migration for high data redundancy. The TS-410 also supports iSCSI Target service with Thin Provisioning and dual Gigabit LAN ports, features generally found on much higher end NAS servers. The TS-410 also features 4 USB ports (1 front, 3 back panel) and 2 e-SATA ports for expanding the storage capacity or backing up the TS-410.

The TS-410 is a smart choice for installation in home or home-based business as it's fully compatible with Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and UNIX networks and features a built-in UPnP/ DLNA media server (with TwonkyMedia enabled) supporting a wide range of DLNA media players such as Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles. By installing the DLNA/ UPnP application on your iPhone or iPod touch, users can access the TS-410 on the home network and play videos, music, and photos from the server over the network. In addition, the high-speed PC-less Download Station with the unique QGet utility enables users to manage the BT/ FTP/ HTTP download tasks remotely over the local network or the Internet. The TS-410 can perform centralized backups of all computers attached to the network to protect valuable paid downloaded music & video content, digital pictures, and documents.

"QNAP's new TS-410 is a great addition to a home network; especially where lots of content is being downloaded and needs to be shared easily in mixed networks that might include Macs, PCs, and even game consoles" said Meiji Chang, CEO of QNAP Systems, Inc. "The TS-410 can easily and affordably handle this and many other tasks including centralized backup so the downloaded content on all the machines in the home network is protected." Mr. Chang added.

The TS-410 comes with QNAP's new V3 of its NAS management software, embedded as firmware, adding significant new features including virtual disk drives support (up to 8 virtual disks via iSCSI expansion over the network), exclusive QNAP RAID Recovery that can recover an inactive RAID 1, 5, or 6 due to unintentional removal of drives. Network Discovery Services are enhanced with new Bonjour support offering zero-configuration networking for HTTP, SAMBA, FTP, AFP, and SSH based networks, and full UPnP support. Other new features of the V3 firmware include EXT4 support for very large volumes and file sizes, SNMP support, and bitmap support for faster rebuilding of RAID volume after a crash or adding/removing a drive. Version 3 includes an all-new AJAX-based web interface that is extremely easy to use and is broadly compatible with popular web browsers.

QNAP offers the broadest lineup of NAS server enclosures currently available. QNAP Turbo NAS series NAS servers are available in 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8-bay desktop (QNAP exclusive feature) and rack mount configurations to fit the needs of consumer, small/medium business, workgroups, and entry-level enterprise networks. QNAP NAS servers feature hot-swap removable cartridge drives throughout the entire lineup, and offer unique features including iSCSI, and dual Gigabit LAN ports with fail-over, load-balancing and multi-IP setting capabilities for all Intel-based models. QNAP NAS servers are ideal for simple website hosting, ultra-high performance RAID storage supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 5+ hot spare, stand-alone file downloading, network-wide backups, printer sharing, video surveillance, and a whole lot more. QNAP NAS servers are fully compatible with Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and UNIX networks and incorporate green power management technologies.

Availability
The TS-410 will be globally available in October through popular commercial distributors, resellers, and e-tailers.


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Netgear Rangemax wireless-N gigabit router

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

Netgear makes all sorts of routers for wireless networks and has been offering products for a long time based on draft-n technology. Now that the IEEE has finally ratified the 802.11n specifications we are seeing new products come to market without that draft n caveat. Netgear announced today the new Rangemax Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB WNR3500L.

The router provides full 802.11n speeds and has four gigabit Ethernet ports to provide fast wired connection. The router also uses push


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Netgear Home Theater Internet Connection Kit

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

Netgear has just released a Home Theater Internet Connection Kit, also known as the XAVB1004. This device is targeted to those who want to hook up multiple Ethernet-enabled entertainment devices (ranging from set-top boxes, gaming consoles to Blu-ray players) to the Internet and home networks simultaneously.

This setup will require one to have a high speed powerline connection at home, where it will then have enough bandwidth to handle high-performance applications including HD video streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP), Internet gaming and large file transfers to networked devices. The kit will comprise of a Powerline AV Adapter with 4-port Ethernet Switch (XAV1004) and one Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter (XAV101). Want to go wireless in your entertainment at home while consolidating other living room appliances?

The $179.99 asked for the Netgear Home Theater Internet Connection Kit sounds a bit on the high side [Press Release].


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802.11n Wi-Fi standard becomes final - finally !

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

IEEE chairman Bob Heile late Monday signaled that the 802.11n standard for Wi-Fi was likely to be finalized by September. Heading up the 802.15 group for personal area networks, Helie said through e-mail that the faster wireless standard has been sent on to a review committee for approval, which would likely take place at the committee's next meeting in mid-September. The move comes after a "rocky" point of getting appropriate language into the late draft of the 802.11n format.

Although already seeing widespread use, the new standard has been one of the longest-delayed implementations of Wi-Fi and eventually forced the IEEE to ratify the Draft 2.0 spec so that companies could start building adapters, notebooks and routers with the up to 300Mbps peak speed without having to wait for the final version's uncertain approval but while promising compatibility later on.

Most companies making wireless computers are already using the draft version of 802.11n in their hardware. Which works nicely BTW.


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Linksys WRT160NL router

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

Linksys introduced the WRT160NL, a new Linux-based Wireless-N broadband router with Storage Link. It's now available for $109.99, full specs can be read over here.

Linksys' WRT160NL is not really a "normal people" router. Its bonus features cater to tech enthusiasts who don't think that connecting their home computers to one another and the internet is enough. The most notable boon here is that the WRT160NL has a version of the Linux operating system pre-installed. Geeks like to hack their routers to install Linux so they can run all sorts of Linux apps on them


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OCZ releases UPS

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

OCZ Technology unveiled the Pro-Source 1500, the first Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) from PC Power & Cooling.  Built for absolute stability and reliability from one of the most trusted names in power supplies, the Pro-Source 1500 UPS is the cost effective power protection solution for today


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Asus EeeNAS PC - 2TB Server With Touchscreen

Network 111 Published by Thorsten Finck 0

Adding another item to its successful Eee family, Asus revealed the EeeNAS PC at the current CeBit in Hannover, Germany. The network attached storage server, features 2TB of storage capacity, a 3.5-inch touchscreen display for basic controlling of the device, a sloat-loading DVD-Burner, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and is supposed to be whisper quiet with only 28dB noise output. Obviously, it works both as a media server, as well as a backup device. [via SlashGear]

 


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Marvell Presents Plug Computing with the SheevaPlug

Network 111 Published by Thorsten Finck 0

At only about the size of an AC adapter, Marvell's SheevaPlug offers you a small computer that you simply plug into an electrical outlet. Intended to be used is a home server - it's a concept Marvell calls Plug Computing. Despite its petite size, the SheevaPlug comes fully equipped with a 1.2GHz Marvell Sheeva CPU, 512MB of FLASH and 512MB of DRAM. Besides that, it features an USB 2.0 port and Gigabit Ethernet. Even better: it draws less than five watts under normal operation, making it a fairly "green" product.

The SheevaPlug supports multiple standard Linux 2.6 kernel distributions and its development kit is currently being sold for $99. Making its debut at the CES, it received a warm welcome and is already being offered in form of the Pogoplug for $79, which connects an external HDD to the Internet for easy file sharing. You can expect to hear more about other products based on this interesting and very compact computer, soon.

 


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Trendnet TEW-664UB 300Mbps dual band wireless N USB adapter

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

I just adore small gadgets .. this one certainly applies. Wireless-N gimmicks, meet Trendnets dual band wireless N USB adapter. Trendnet has today announced an immediate release of its new USB TEW-664UB 300Mbps dual band wireless N adapter. The dual band N technology in the Trendnet supports selectable 2.4GHz for low bandwidth clients or uncongested 5GHz discrete high bandwidth wireless signals, which includes 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n standard networks. Additionally, the unit provides easy setup process, advanced MIMO technology antenna and encryption system to ensure a secure connection.

The 300Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter supports MAC, Windows and Linux systems and will be available at the retail price of $59.99.

 


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CalDigit ships CalDigit VR storage system

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

CalDigit has announced that its CalDigit VR two drive RAID storage system is now shipping. Designed with a quadruple interface, the storage system supports USB 2, FireWire400, FireWire 800, and eSATA drives. CalDigit VR comes complete with two swappable drive modules for simpler replacement and expansion, along with the ability to replace the fan if necessary. The storage device offers speeds of up to 220MB/sec in RAID, and over 110MB/sec with RAID 1 protection.

Other features include an environmental monitor that displays information on temperature, fan RPM, and hard drive health, and security capabilities that allow the device to provide password protection, and a security lock that keeps the drives in place. A temperature controled smart-fan is used to determine when the storage device needs cooling. CalDigit also comes with software that provides diagnostic reports, e-mail notifications, management and firmware-update capabilities, and monitoring of the device.

CalDigit is priced at $500 for the 1.28TB model; a 4TB model is expected to be released soon.

 


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Koreans to Have 1Gbps Broadband by 2012

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

That's it, I'm immigrating to Korea ;)

In Korea the entire country will have 1 Gbps service by 2012. Currently, Koreans can get speeds up to 100 Mbps, which is still nearly double the speed of Charter's new 60 Mbps service.

The Korea Communications Commission finalized plans for Internet services at an average speed of 1 Gbps through fixed lines and 10 Mbps through wireless. One Gbps allows users to download a 120-minute film in just 12 seconds. The aim is to give users seamless access to large-capacity, high-quality convergence services such as IPTV.

The new plan by the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) will cost 34.1 trillion ($24.6 billion USD) over the next five years. The central government will put up 1.3 trillion won, with the remainder coming from private telecom operators. The project is also expected to create more than 120,000 jobs - a win for the Korean economy.

This plan will bring innovation to the public's digital lives" a spokesperson for KCC said in a press release. When will the U.S. Government ever devise such a plan for Americans? For now, most of us are stuck with 3-10Mbps service for those of us who are able to get it. For the rest, many are still stuck on dialup and some are happy to stay with it.

I think all US and European countries could learn a thing or two here, consistently restricting and slowing down integration of what is the future of the internet [via techfragments].


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Upgrade Your Router To 802.11n Painlessly For $25

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

Probably most of us stick to the good old 802.11g router, instead of the newer, faster, more powerful, and just generally sexier 802.11n. 

The TRENDNet TEW-637AP 300Mbps Wireless Easy-N-Upgrader purports to make all of these things entirely painless. All you have to do is plug the TEW-637AP into the back of your existing 802.11b/g wireless router and it magically converts your wireless network to 802.11n while preserving all of your existing network configuration settings. In a test by Laptop Magazine, setup took


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chip claims multi-gigabit transfers on 60GHz RF

Network 111 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

The Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology has announced a CMOS chip that is capable of transmitting 60GHz RF signals. The technology is claimed to be capable of wireless data-transfer speeds in the multi-gigabit range. Potential applications include high-speed short-range communication between desktop computers, data centers, wireless home audio or video systems, or moving gigabytes of photos and video to and from mobile devices.

The single-chip component integrates a low-power radio with an embedded antenna, while drawing only 100 milliwatts of power. GEDC researchers have experimented with a variety of configurations, reaching speeds up to 15 Gbps at one meter, 10 Gbps at two meters, and 5 Gbps at five meters. Tests also successfully streamed uncompressed 720p or 1080i video.

Ecma International recently announced a global standard for the 60 GHz RF technology, with the full specifications expected to be published as an ISO standard sometime this year.


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