The battle cry of realtors everywhere, "location, location, location," also applies to network administrators dealing with overcrowded server rooms and desktops. One solution is to combine multiple functions in a single, small box, which is exactly what Maxtor accomplishes with the Maxtor MaxAttach NAS 4000. The MaxAttach is a network attached storage (NAS) device that includes file-server software, a built-in HTTP server, up to 240GB of available storage, and a 10/100-Mbps Ethernet connection.
The MaxAttach is designed for small networks that need to set up a centralised, easy-to-use server, as well as for larger organisations looking to add ad hoc storage to an existing network. The MaxAttach is also fault-tolerant; it includes redundant power supplies as well as disk drives that offer RAID Levels 0 and 1. To solve the "location" problem, Maxtor placed all of this in a 19-inch rack-mountable chassis that you can place in even the most crowded wiring closet.
The MaxAttach is available in 40GB, 80GB, 160GB, or 240GB capacities that retail for AU$3,370, AU$3,975,AU$5,750,and AU$8,435 respectively. The device also includes a built-in server OS that resembles a Microsoft Windows NT or Unix file server and supports both the SMB and IP protocols. Unfortunately, the MaxAttach doesn't work with IPX, so NetWare-only shops will have to install IP or the Windows network client.
An Intel Pentium processor with 64MB of RAM on the 40GB and 80GB models (128MB of RAM on the 160GB device) power the drives and OS. The hard drives are 40GB Maxtor DiamondMax Plus SCSI devices running at 7,200 rpm. The only item missing was an external SCSI connector for attaching a tape backup device or more storage.
We were impressed with the MaxAttach's easy setup. After we connected the device to our network and turned on the power, we ran the bundled MaxNeighborhood software to find the unit. When the device was discovered, our browser launched and let us change the name, time, IP address, Windows NT workgroup, and security settings for managing the unit.
The MaxAttach includes a built-in DHCP server and client, so it can lease an IP address or provide automatic addresses to your client PCs. To secure the device, we were able to set up individual usernames and passwords or use existing Windows NT domain security settings in a pass-through configuration.
Although we'd like to see an optional SCSI connector for backup as well as the ability to work in an IPX NetWare-only world, the Maxtor MaxAttach NAS 4000 is an effective means for adding storage to an existing network.
Maxtor MaxAttach NAS 4000
Company: e-datagroup
Ph: 02 9882 1141; Fax: 02 9417 7851
Price: Model Reviewed 80GB, AU$3,975.
Rating: 4 Star
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