If you’re the type of person who always has to have access to his collection of audio and video files whether for work or just for the heck of it, WD has a new product that will allow you to access and sync your content across computers with ease.

This week, the company introduced a new generation of its prosumer solutions network attached storage in the form of the My Cloud EX2 Ultra. The drive features a 1.3GHz dual-core processor that enables it to achieve ultra-fast transfer rates and comes with 1GB DDR3 memory for those who like to multi-task.

The NAS drive supports up to 12TB capacities and provides flexibility by offering several capacity option for customers to choose from. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra also comes with a number of advanced features that help users in managing their data including an integrated FTP and WebDAV server, backup server, P2P download server and Microsoft Active Support.

The My Cloud Ex2 Ultra will be available in select retailers starting March and will be distributed by Iontech, Inc in the Philippines. Prices start at Php 10,490 for the base model and goes up to Php 40,690 for the 12TB model.

For more information about the My Cloud EX2 Ultra, you can read WD’s press release below.

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NEW WESTERN DIGITAL PROSUMER NAS STORAGE GIVES CREATIVE PROS

THE POWER TO MULTI-TASK AND EASILY SHARE FILES

New My Cloud^® EX2 Ultra Delivers High Performance with Up to 12 TB Capacity

MANILA, Philippines – February 18, 2016 –Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a world leader in connected storage solutions, today updated its prosumer solutions with My Cloud EX2 Ultra, a high-performance, two-bay network attached storage (NAS) system. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS is designed from the ground up for creative professionals and prosumers that need to automatically sync content across computers, easily share files and folders and enjoy multiple backup options so they can create their own personalized digital library with ease.

“We know our My Cloud users, especially creative professionals, need comprehensive solutions as digital storage needs continue to soar as well as the need for ongoing streaming capability,” said Jim Welsh, executive vice president, WD Branded Products. “With the My Cloud EX2 Ultra, creative professionals are able to combine high performance with multi-tasking optimization and data protection to create a NAS system that simplifies their workflow and provides peace-of-mind.”

My Cloud EX2 Ultra has been upgraded with a powerful 1.3 GHz dual-core processor enabling users to get ultra-fast transfer rates for high performance and smooth video streaming. Users also have access to 1 GB of DDR3 memory, allowing them to multitask with ease and leverage applications for HD media streaming, surveillance and much more. Several data management and security features allow users to select a preferred method for managing and protecting their movies, photos, music and digital files. Drive management options include RAID 0, RAID 1; JBOD and spanning modes, while data protection options include NAS to NAS, USB, cloud or LAN/WAN backup. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra  NAS comes preconfigured in RAID 1 mode to help protect data right from the start and is easily configurable into other data protection modes.

High Capacity and Ultimate Reliability

From unpopulated to 12 TB capacities[1], the My Cloud EX2 Ultra provides several capacity options for customers to choose from. Additionally, customers can attach compatible USB 3.0 hard drives to the USB expansion ports on the My Cloud EX2 Ultra to instantly expand their storage capacity. The populated My Cloud EX2 Ultra features the award-winning WD Red^® hard drives, specifically built for NAS systems to provide non-stop performance within 24x7 environments. WD Red drives are powered by NASware™ 3.0 technology, improving drive reliability and minimizing data corruption in the event of a power loss or disruption.

Easy Sharing with Anywhere Access

With simplified file and folder sharing, users can send customized, private links that allow recipients read/write access to particular files on the user’s My Cloud EX2 Ultra. Whether on a photo shoot, or editing at home, saving creations at full fidelity and sharing with your entire network is a breeze. The My Cloud EX2 Ultra features an intuitive dashboard, so user accounts can be created, features customized and storage can be monitored with ease. With MyCloud.com web access, or the My Cloud mobile app, users can access their media and manage users from any internet connected device. With WD Sync™, users can automatically synchronize their media and files across their computers and their My Cloud device with the confidence that their computer content is up to date and accessible from all devices.

Advanced Features    

My Cloud EX2 Ultra includes advanced data serving options including an integrated FTP and WebDAV server, backup server, P2P download server and Microsoft Active Directory support. Additionally, users can download and run a host of third party apps, including, Plex®, Milestone Arcus™ surveillance, aMule, Icecast, Joomla!®, Anti-Virus Essentials, WordPress®, SqueezeCenter, and more. Users can also stream videos and photos to connected TVs, media players, gaming consoles and other DLNA®/UPnP® devices with  the included Twonky 7.2 DLNA-certified 1.5 media server, and built-in iTunes® support.

Price and Availability

My Cloud EX2 Ultra will be available at select retailers in March and will be distributed by Iontech, Inc. in the Philippines.. MSRP is PhP 10, 490 for the diskless My Cloud EX2 Ultra, PhP 21, 290 for 4 TB, PhP 29, 190 for 8 TB and PhP 40, 690 for 12 TB. The WD My Cloud mobile app currently is available for download for free from the Apple App Store^SM and Google Play^TM. My Cloud EX2 Ultra comes with a two-year limited warranty on the diskless device and a three-year limited warranty on the pre-configured devices.
Compatibility

My Cloud EX2 Ultra is compatible with Windows® 10, Windows 8, Windows Vista®, OS X® El Capitan™, Yosemite™, Mavericks™, Mountain Lion™ as well as DLNA®/UPnP® enabled devices.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the approximate price and estimated availability of the My Cloud EX2 Ultra, the growth of digital storage needs, as well as the demand for ongoing streaming capability. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the risks detailed from time-to-time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, our most recent annual report on Form 10-K to which your attention is directed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak as of the date hereof, and WD undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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[1] System is shipped in RAID 1 configuration, which leaves half of the system capacity available for data storage. System is configurable to RAID 0; JBOD or spanned, which leaves all system capacity available for data storage. Up to 0.1TB may be reserved for non-user accessible storage.

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Apart from being a popular brand for personal digital storage solutions, WD also creates storage solutions for businesses of all sorts. These include its Purple drives that are meant for surveillance systems and its Red drives which are designed as network storage solutions.

Our friends from WD has sent us some useful tips on how to maximize the use of its Red drives in order to create a secure and collaborative file storage system. Check out the article below on how you can create an efficient file storage system in four easy steps.

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4 Steps to Setting Up a Secure, Collaborative File Storage System
Small businesses often operate in lean teams, with each staff member behaving as a “jack of all trades.” This attitude can be useful for acquiring customers and putting in the extra effort SMBs sometimes need, but it doesn’t work for data management and security. Cyberattacks are not only a risk to large companies like Target or Sony, but are a costly danger to small businesses as well. According to a report by the National Small Business Association, 50 percent of small businesses experienced a cyberattack in 2014, costing an average of more than $20,750.
Storing, managing and protecting sensitive company and customer data is a cumbersome process that can become even more daunting with an expanding team. With tight budgets and an often non-existent IT department, implementing a strong system becomes even more challenging. Small businesses need a storage solution that is secure, offers cloud access with local back-up abilities and is scalable (that is, robust enough to meet their current needs, but also able to grow and adapt to future demands). Here are four steps a small business should take to set up and maintain a strong, fast and adaptable file management system:

1. Identify needs and create a plan. Work with your key decision makers to determine what kind of file access and management the business needs. Does your sales team need access to documents outside of the office, or does your customer service team need to be able to review complete customer records at any given time? Identify who in the organization needs access to which data, and develop a written plan. The file management plan should include who will manage the content and be responsible for data backups and who has access to the most sensitive information. The plan will also help determine what storage hardware solutions best fit your needs.

2. Set up a scalable storage server. A network attached storage (NAS) device is an easy and affordable solution that allows designated users to share and access files, media and more from multiple computers and devices. Instead of being tethered by USB cables, users can access data across the business’ personal cloud, via your Wi-Fi network, and still back up data locally. At a minimum, you’ll want to choose storage that gives you the ability to manage permissions and folder privileges. But to maximize your investment, you should look for a drive that can scale. Some storage drives, like Western Digital’s Red Drive, are built from the ground up to combine easily, so that as your business grows, it’s easy to increase the number of users needing access. With the WD Red drive, your employees are able to quickly share their files and back up folders reliably. It also comes with software that enables seamless integration with your existing network infrastructure.  

3. Optimize systems to maximize performance. Be sure to keep your entire technology network up to date before, during and after installation of a storage server. Ensuring a healthy ecosystem of your storage, router, and modem units is crucial to delivering services to customers in a timely manner and avoiding bottlenecks in the system.

4. Enable and manage user access. When storing sensitive company data, restrictions on security and access are your primary concern. Implement a storage system that allows you to grant file access to those that need it, and rescind it for those that don’t. User access should be described in detail in the written plan, so staff know exactly where to place and find the data they need. Small businesses typically try to grow quickly, which means shifting roles and responsibilities. When new employees come on, and old ones depart, make sure you are able to maintain control of all of your data. When an employee leaves, revoke access immediately, and when on-boarding an employee, take the time to review your policies and expectations when handling company data and information. 

5. Develop a good file naming strategy and folder structure. Keeping your centralized storage system organized, makes it less likely that information will be mismanaged. “Document A” and “Spreadsheet 3” are useless filenames when you are searching through hundreds of documents for one particular file. Use names that are meaningful, but still short. To help with version control, employ a date and initial system that tells you when and who last updated the document. Descriptive folders will also help you and your team navigate media quickly. Designate folders for financial, sales and operations documents to keep everyone organized.

File storage is only one piece of the puzzle to consider when growing your business, but when properly implemented, can save you and your business thousands of dollars and countless hours. There are a lot of factors to consider, but if you take the time to determine your needs and develop an actionable plan for your company now, as well as in the future, it will give you time to explore your options and make the best choice possible.

For more information about WD's Red and Red Pro drives, you can visit their website at http://www.wdc.com/en/ or visit their Facebook fan page using this link.
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Almost everyone these days owns an external hard drive where they store their personal files from their entire music library to their collection of movies or TV series. While most storage solutions offer larger capacities or faster transfer rates, there are those who venture a different route.

WD’s My Passport Wireless is one such device that’s trying to fill the void for wireless external hard drives in the market. The hard drive is one of a few drives in the market that provides users with a way to transfer their files from their computers and laptops to a portable solution without the need to plug the drive into the PC using a cable.

Although it’s easy to assume that a wireless hard drive is a far superior option to the wired alternative, these storage solutions have features that are built with a specific consumer in mind and might not offer the best experience to everyone. In case you’re on the hunt for an external hard drive (to get yourself especially this holiday season) and you’re on the fence on spending more for a wireless drive, here’s our review of the WD My Passport Wirelessto help you out in making that decision whether to go wireless or not.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Compared to a typical wired external hard drive, the My Passport Wireless comes with a few more accessories out of the box. The device comes with the usual USB to micro USB type B cable for syncing and charging as well as the usual set of paper works. On top of these, the My Passport Wireless also comes with its own charger with two adapters that’s great if you’re always traveling out of the country.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

The My Passport Wireless sports the same design language that has been in use with some of the company’s recent products. The hard drive is made completely out of plastic and sports a two-tone design. The bottom and sides of the device are made from a single piece of gray plastic while the top plate is colored in black.

A small plate at the top of the device bears the company’s logo as well as two LED indicator lights for the battery and the Wi-Fi connection. Adjacent to this plate is where you’ll find an SD card slot, which has a spring-loaded mechanism. The top edge features two buttons and the USB connector. The button at the top-right edge powers up/down the device while the other button at the top-left edge activates the drive’s wireless capabilities.

The drive has a built-in battery that supports its Wi-Fi functions so the My Passport Wireless is a tad thicker than most wired hard drives. There are also four rubber feet at the bottom of the device making sure that it stays in place when you place it on a flat surface.

WIRELESS SETUP AND OPERATION

There are several ways to move files wirelessly using the WD My Passport Wireless. When using a PC or Mac, users need  to first connect to the wireless network that the device automatically creates before accessing the contents of the drive. It’s important to note that because of this process, internet connection may temporarily be disabled until the drive has been properly configured to allow your laptop or Mac to connect to another network.

To access the device settings using a laptop, users need to open a browser and type the URL of the drive (http://mypassport) or the IP address of the device. Once there, users can easily adjust various settings of the device including setting up a password, connecting to another wireless network and locking the USB port on the device to name a few (a feature called Drive Lock).

Accessing the contents of the drive can be done in a number of ways. Once the device is connected, the contents can be viewed using Windows Explorer or Mac’s Finder. Based on our test, it appears this option only allows for moving files back and forth and doesn’t really allow streaming of content. The My Passport Wireless also appears in the Network section, which is where users will be able to stream content.

For those planning to use the Wireless Passport to move files back and forth from a mobile device, an App is required before anything can be done on the device.  The settings are pretty much the same as in the Web/Explorer/Finder GUI on Windows and Mac but are arranged in a more finger-friendly manner.

The mobile app allows streaming content from the Wireless Passport but it’s good to note that it only provides support for select video formats. A third-party media player app (In our case VLC) is required to play videos whose formats fall beyond what the app supports.

PERFORMANCE

As a wireless external hard drive, there are two things we’d like to know about the WD My Passport Wireless: how fast is it in transferring data (either wired or wirelessly) and how well and stable it performs when using Wi-Fi.

We had the Wireless Passport for several weeks and we put the drive to the test by running some benchmarking software to know how fast it is as a storage device. We used ATTO’s app as well as Crystal Disk and got these values.

We also tried transferring a 3GB file thru a wired connection and it took the drive under two minutes for the file to be completely copied from our laptop to the drive.

When it comes to wireless transfer speeds, the My Passport Wireless is a bit of a hit and miss. During our test, the drive was able to stream a 3GB Full HD movie without issues. The app was able to render the video without any noticeable compression though there were instances that the screen goes gray while images become pixelated for a short time.

While video streaming is okay for the most part, transferring large files wirelessly is a different story. Images and music files can be wirelessly transferred from one source to another without much difficulty, larger files tend to take a considerable amount of time. We tried transferring a couple of mkv files to the drive and we literally didn’t had the time to wait hours for the transfer to finish.

Our biggest gripe about the WD My Passport Wireless is its battery life. We’re not sure if there was an issue with the review unit that we got, but the device’s battery only lasted a few hours especially when doing video streaming. Although, you can connect the drive directly into a wall outlet using the included charger, it actually defeats the purpose of having a wireless storage device.

FINAL WORDS

When it comes to portable storage, only a few brands can match WD in terms of reliability, innovation and of course years of experience. The WD My Passport Wireless is a great representation of WD’s expertise, which improves their already trusted line of external hard drives.

We really like how the drive is designed, despite the larger than usual dimensions. The My Passport Wireless is an excellent product if you’re planning to do some wireless streaming to your mobile device or your laptop. The built-in card reader is also great for those who like a convenient way of moving files from their cameras to their computer or mobile device.

However, its poor battery life may pose a major hurdle if you plan to stream videos for long periods of time.

The WD My Passport Wireless also had issues with transferring large files from one location to another. Having said this, we feel that the Wireless Passport is a product mostly for people who want convenience over utility.

Its wireless function is mostly useful for streaming content and not really for transferring files over the air (although you can sometimes get away with it). We can see the My Passport Wireless serving as a content hub for family use where members of the family can store and access content.

At around $150 for the 1TB version, the WD My Passport Wireless is a bit pricey compared to ordinary 1TB drives in the market. But for those who value convenience above everything, this product will certainly be a great deal. 

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Western Digital has recently introduced a new pro-grade storage device that’s meant for individuals (like professional photographers and designers) who work with large amounts of media who want a beefy and fast storage solutions for their work or hobby.

The new My Book Pro external storage solution features two 7200RPM WD drives that make use of Intel’s Thunderbolt 2 technology allowing it to transfer data at a rate of 435 MB/s.

Western Digital has ensured that users will have options when it comes to the My Book Pro’s storage capacity. The device can come in a variety of configurations including a 6TB, 8TB, 10TB and 12TB models. The product also comes with hot-swappable hardware RAID controller which improves data security.

The My Book Pro also packs two front-access USB ports, which allows users to daisy chain up to six Thunderbolt devices. It also features three customizable options to keep data protected, improve throughput and reduce bottlenecks during data transfer.

The device comes with a 3-year limited warranty and is now available through different distributors in the country with a price tag of around $668 (approximately Php31,490) for the 6TB version and can go up to $1145 (or around Php53,990) for the 12TB version.

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Popular brand of storage solutions Seagate has recently announced its new Cloud Systems and Solutions group that aim to bring a scalable, secure, efficient and cost-effective Cloud service architectures and solutions.

The Seagate Cloud Systems and Solutions group will provide a product update which will focus on four key areas: Integrated High Performance Computing solutions, Scalable, modular components and solutions, Custom systems for OEMs and Cloud Backup/Restore, Disaster Recovery and Rapid Archive Storage solutions.
Here are some of the new products that the company will be offering to businesses and OEMs in the country.
Seagate ClusterStor 9000 solution – a fully integrated Lustre-based scale-out solution designed for HPC and Big Data customers who need to plan, deploy and sustain maximum optimal application software.
Seagate EVault Enterprise Backup and Recovery Appliance – a new solution that can accommodate up to 100TB of usable capacity.
Seagate Nytro XP6302 – a high PCIe flash capacity designed for optimal density and for graceful performance scaling and high thread count and queue depth workloads. 
Seagate Enterprise HDD – the company also introduced its new-generation HDD including the world’s first 2TB 2.5 enterprise-class nearline drive. Its new drives deliver high performance-optimied storage with 15k and 10k rpm drives as well as capacity-optimized nearline drive.
Moreover, all Seagate enterprise drives are now equipped with the latest SAS technology that offers scalable 12Gb/s throughput to and from the host. Other notable features include Secure self-encrypting drive technology, Instant Secure Erase functionality for easy drive retirement, PowerChoice on-demand power savings, and RAID Rebuild for faster rebuilds.
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