Addonics Portable Network Attached USB Adapter ($50)

Addonics Technologies, Inc. announced a low cost NAU (Network Attached USB) adapter that allows users to access any USB device over the local area network.

The NAU essentially enables the installation of any USB device, such as webcams, USB speakers, fax, cell phones, USB cameras, USB storage, printers, scanners, card readers, optical drives, mp3 players, and flash drives via the existing network cable. Once the USB device is on the network, any computer on the network can access the device as if it were locally attached to the computer.

Using the NAU adapter, common USB devices can be deployed in a wide variety of applications. For example, webcams can be installed at different locations for security surveillance or remote monitoring without running expensive cabling. USB speakers can be added in various locations via the network without running speaker cable.

The NAU adapter comes with a high speed Gigabit network connection. The new adapter supports data transfer rates up to 30MB/sec when accessing USB storage devices over a LAN. Storage devices attached to the adapter appear as a local hard drive to the OS, similar to an iSCSI device.

The NAU adapter fits into your hand. It weighs less than 2 oz and operates at less than three watts. Other features include USB 2.0 / 1.1 with hot plug support, power and link LED indication, and RoHS compliancy.

Suggested retail price is $49.95.

Addonics products are available through the company online store www.shopaddonics.com, major catalog companies, resellers, VARs and distributors, including Amazon.com, PC Connection, CDW, Buy.com, Provantage.com, Insight, and Ingram Micro.