Linux-based NAS device starts at $70

By Eric Brown
2009-11-16

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Addonics announced a low-cost, six-ounce network-attached storage (NAS) device for the SOHO market. The Linux-based Addonics Mini NAS offers a single 2.5-inch storage bay, an Ethernet port, a USB port, and multiple servers, including UPnP, and supports both SMB and open source Samba network protocols, says the company.

Addonics did not list the processor or memory used in the device, but according to the company, the device is based on their earlier NAS Adapter, which according to a BlogOfRevelation teardown uses an RDC R3210 system-on-chip (SoC). The 32-bit RISC processor is said to run at 133Mhz, and offers built-in Ethernet and USB, plus dual DMA controllers.

The 6.1 x 3.7 x 1.2-inch device is equipped with a 10/100 Ethernet port and a 2.5-inch storage bay for a SATA hard disk drive (HDD) or SSD (Solid State Drive), with a maximum partition of 2TB, says the company. With the help of a hard disk CF adapter, CompactFlash may also be used for storage, in which case the Mini NAS can be powered from the supplied USB 2.0 port, which can also be used to attach a network-sharable printer, Addonics says.

Addonics Mini NAS
(Click to enlarge)

The Mini NAS supports both SMB (Server Message Block) and open source Samba network protocols, supporting the latter with up to 64 clients, says Addonics. As a result, the device is said to offer cross-platform access of shared data for most desktops running Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. According to a company spokesperson, the device runs on embedded Linux.

Mini NAS detail
(Click to enlarge)

The device can be set up as a DHCP server or client, and remote users can access the Mini NAS via FTP access for up to eight simultaneous users, says Addonics. The Mini NAS can also be configured as a BitTorrent downloading appliance or as an iTunes media server. In addition, the Mini NAS can be used as a print server and an UPnP AV server, sharing photos and music files with other UPnP-ready devices such as Xbox 360 video game consoles. Other features are said to include read/only or read/write access to folders and administrative management access via web browser, with password security.

Specifications listed for the Addonics Mini NAS include:

Flash memory expansion -- CompactFlash storage available with Addonics hard disk CF adapter
Storage -- 2.5-inch bay for SATA HDD or SSD
File system support -- FAT32
Maximum partition -- 2TB
Maximum file size -- 127GB when reading/writing from the NAS adapter
Networking -- 10/100Mbps Ethernet connection
USB -- 1 x USB 2.0 host port
Servers -- Samba, FTP, DHCP, printer; UPnP media server; BitTorrent (client)
Dimensions -- 6.1 x 3.7 x 1.2 inches (155 x 95 x 30mm)
Weight -- 6 oz (170 g)
Operating temperature -- 32 to 158 deg. F (0 to 70 deg. C)
Operating system -- embedded Linux; supports Linux 2.6.x; Windows OS, and Mac OS (10.5.x and earlier) desktops

Availability

Addonics did not list availability information on the Mini NAS, and the NAS page on its online shopping site is currently empty, but the company says that list prices start at $69. More information may be found here.

The BlogOfRevelation teardown story on the Addonics NAS Adapter may be found here.

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