LaCie Released NAS OS 2.0 Software

LaCie released NAS OS 2.0, an update to its line of NAS devices.

The new operating system features improved usability, performance, RAID management and backup. This software offers features to match professionals’ needs without complexity. It is a solution for offices, workgroups or small businesses seeking to share files, collaborate and backup their computers.

User-friendly interface
NAS OS 2.0 offers ease of use for a quick learning curve. Novice users will appreciate the easy-to-understand, widget-oriented management console that lets the user configure functions such as RAID and backup. It is also easy to setup and navigate thanks to intuitive wizards and sensible icons. At the same time, experienced users will appreciate the ability to fine-tune every NAS function with advanced parameters.

NAS OS 2.0 offers remote access, ensuring the router is correctly configured for a seamless connection. This allows users to access their projects securely using the integrated file browser while on the road, or share them with offsite business partners and clients.

Scalability and automated RAID modes
A new feature of NAS OS 2.0 is the ability to manage RAID expansion and migration. The array can be expanded from a single disk to a multiple disk RAID mode such as RAID 1 or RAID 5. Additionally, the system can migrate from one RAID mode to another automatically or manually without endangering the data.

New backup functionality
The user can easily create individual backup jobs tailored to each storage device on the network and centrally manage them from the LaCie NAS. Connect a USB or eSATA hard drive to the NAS, and schedule automated backups to the external hard drive. It unmounts the drive automatically at the end of the backup so the user can take it offsite for extra protection. The backup engine also supports PC-to-NAS backups from any computer in the environment onto a local share. Since it offers full or incremental backup modes, if the user needs to restore an entire backup or specific file, a wizard will help them roll back to the desired version. The restored file or files can be saved to the backed up file’s original location.

Network integration
The operating system is compatible with mixed infrastructure environments including PC, Mac and Linux. It is compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion). The upgrade still features support for SMB, AFP, Time Machine, iSCSI target, NFS and Windows domain integration, as well as auto update of the embedded operating system.

Smarter energy use
NAS OS 2.0 helps reduce power consumption by letting the user control energy usage. The user can schedule shut down/restart, even on a particular day of the week. Configure the NAS, for example, to power on at 6:00am and off at 7:00pm on Monday through Friday, and stay off all weekend. The disks can even be configured to spin down after a certain period of time when no one is accessing the NAS, ensuring that minimum power is required. It also supports wake on LAN protocol, so even if the NAS is asleep and conserving energy, the user can easily wake it up from his or her computer without needing to be physically next to the NAS.

LaCie Network 2 Line
The LaCie Network 2 line offers professional, reliable, central storage to instantly store, share and backing up from any PC or Mac on a network. Easily manage a small office network with these full-featured file servers: d2 Network 2, 2big Network 2 and 5big Network 2.

Availability
The new LaCie operating system is supported on all Network 2 products and offers compatibility with Windows 7, Windows XP and MAC OS 10.5, MAC OS 10.6, MAC OS 10.7 (Lion). Existing users can upgrade their software at no cost from the product dashboard.