News

posted on 08 July 2008 12:51

The second-generation Drobo from Data Robotics has a faster processor and FireWire 800 connectivity added to to its existing USB 2.0.

Drobo is an external or network-attached storage device with RAID-class protection for files and the ability for users to populate the enclosure with 3.5-inch SATA drives of varying capacities,

Drobo 2 enhancements include an upgraded ARM core processor, two FireWire 800 ports, with FireWire 400 compatibility, dramatically increased USB 2.0 performance, and newly optimized firmware. This release addresses the needs of users seeking a reliable method of managing vast amounts of data without sacrificing performance; from video editors, to heavy down-loaders, to photographers who shoot raw images.

FireWire 400 can transfer data between devices at up to 400 Mbit/s half-duplex data rates with FireWire 800 operating at 786 Mbit/s full-duplex. USB 2.0 runs at 480Mbit/s, roughly 40MB/sec. USB 3.0 will run at around 3Gbit/s, about 250MB/sec but products are not expected to start appearing until 2009 with mass deployment a year or two later. FireWire 800 is here now and provides a gateway to data-intensive Apple users.

The two FireWire 800 ports means that two Drobo 2s can be daisy-chained together. The faster processor makes Drobo2 twice as fast as Drobo1 when reading data and almost twice as fast writing data.

Geoff Barrall, CEO and founder of Data Robotics, said: "Our customers have been asking for a high-performance FireWire connection since we launched Drobo last year, and this new release is the next logical step in providing users with what they need – and have come to expect – in the Drobo product. Our ability to deliver FireWire 800 in the newest version of Drobo gives us even more of an edge with two particular groups: Creative professionals who rely on the speed and performance of their equipment in their day to day work, and the Apple community which has a strong affinity for FireWire products.”

Andy Hirsch of Blue Moon Productions said: "I had previously used Drobo as a backup solution for (Apple's) Final Cut Pro, but the enhanced performance of the second generation Drobo has allowed me to use it as my primary storage drive for video editing."

The Drobo product can store up to 1.6TB of data and, with the GbE capability of the DroboShare base unit, function as a shared network-attached (NAS) storage device. Without that it is either a USB or FireWire-attached external storage device.

Drobo 2 costs $499 in the USA, no price increase, with DroboShare costing $199. A 2TB Drobo2 bundle costs $899 and a 4TB one $1,299. It is available for immediate purchase from authorized partners worldwide. The UK Drobo2 price is £299 including VAT, with a £160 DroboShare price.

^{[Chris Mellor.]}