Akitio introduced its newest desktop storage device, the Cloud Hybrid. The device can function as network-attached storage (NAS) over gigabit Ethernet, and disk-attached storage (DAS) over USB 3.0. It holds a single 3.5-inch hard drive, with SATA 3 Gb/s interface, up to 3 TB unformatted capacities are supported, as are volumes bigger than 2 TB in capacity. The device supports Microsoft exFAT file-system.Its maker vaguely mentions that the device is driven by a "300 MHz CPU", with 32 MB DDR RAM, and 2 MB flash ROM. As a DAS, the device likely mounts its hard drive as a mass-storage device. As a NAS, however, most modern features are supported, including UPnP-AV, DLNA, iTunes music server, FTP, Samba, etc. Features such as BitTorrent and WebDAV server make for interesting additions for a device of its class, as is remote access over the internet, via a web-portal. While USB 3.0 (mass storage) posses minimal interface bottlenecks, Akitio assures 60 MB/s transfer-rates over SMB (in a GbE network). It is priced at US $99.

8 Comments on Akitio Intros Cloud Hybrid NAS/DAS

#1 Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate btarunr The device can function as network-attached storage (NAS) over gigabit Ethernet, and disk-attached storage (DAS) over USB 3.0. last i checked all NAS can operate as DAS with usb. throw this one back in the pile. last i checked all NAS can operate as DAS with usb. throw this one back in the pile. Posted on May 20th 2012, 0:27 Reply

#2 lastcalaveras

Easy Rhino last i checked all NAS can operate as DAS with usb. throw this one back in the pile. Agreed if it does not do these I wouldn't call it a NAS Agreed if it does not do these I wouldn't call it a NAS Posted on May 20th 2012, 3:08 Reply

#3 TheLostSwede

Most of them can not, as there's no direct PC interface, especially if you look at more high-end products. Cheaper products like this can in general do that, but this should be one of the first with USB 3.0 connectivity. Posted on May 20th 2012, 7:35 Reply

#4 Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate TheLostSwede Most of them can not, as there's no direct PC interface, especially if you look at more high-end products. Cheaper products like this can in general do that, but this should be one of the first with USB 3.0 connectivity. really? i have an old lacie that is 4 years old with usb 2 on it. if i plug it directly into my pc it becomes a DAS. note: this may be a great product but marketing old technology is lame. really? i have an old lacie that is 4 years old with usb 2 on it. if i plug it directly into my pc it becomes a DAS. note: this may be a great product but marketing old technology is lame. Posted on May 20th 2012, 13:13 Reply

#5 TheLostSwede

USB 3.0 is old tech?

And if you have a look at Synology, Qnap and Thecus, you'll notice that none of them support direct connectivity. LaCie is hardly a high-end NAS manufacturer, but then again, this is hardly a high-end product either so...

Not trying to defend the product as such, but for many this is more than good enough and it does at least have half a selling point... Posted on May 20th 2012, 13:17 Reply

#6 Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate TheLostSwede USB 3.0 is old tech?

And if you have a look at Synology, Qnap and Thecus, you'll notice that none of them support direct connectivity. LaCie is hardly a high-end NAS manufacturer, but then again, this is hardly a high-end product either so...

Not trying to defend the product as such, but for many this is more than good enough and it does at least have half a selling point... no sorry i was referring to DAS connectivity as something ordinary in NAS devices. obviously USB 3 is newer tech. i am surprised about the lack of DAS connectivity in a lot of these devices. seems like it would be simply to add in a chip for it. no sorry i was referring to DAS connectivity as something ordinary in NAS devices. obviously USB 3 is newer tech. i am surprised about the lack of DAS connectivity in a lot of these devices. seems like it would be simply to add in a chip for it. Posted on May 20th 2012, 13:23 Reply

#7 TheLostSwede

It's not as easy as you'd think, as many NAS devices use file systems that Windows can't read directly for example.

That said, it's by no means impossible, but it depends on what you want from your device at the end of the day, it'll end up being a compromise between functionality/compatibility vs connectivity in this case.

If you've got a good NAS, it's not as if you're going to miss USB 2.0 direct connectivity, but not all NAS products support features like iSCSI and that's something that's almost a must for good file copy performance.

Anyhow, this isn't a product I'd personally buy, but at least it falls in the affordable category at $99... Posted on May 20th 2012, 13:40 Reply