(Click here for a larger view of LaCie's Internet Disk)

The new Ethernet Disk, which uses a 1U 19-inch form factor, is said to be designed for small and medium businesses, particularly those using a mix of Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers. The device supports up to 100 users overall, and allows 25 to be connected concurrently, LaCie says.

LaCie claims the Ethernet Disk can "drastically reduce the complexity of file sharing." It's said the device makes operation simple for Windows users by being compatible with Microsoft's Active Directory, and for Macintosh users by being compatible with Apple's Time Machine, an automatic backup feature built into Macintosh OS X.

Recommended client software for backups, supplied with the Ethernet Disk, includes Genie Backup Manager Pro (Windows) and Intego Backup Manager Pro (Macintosh), both touted as offering "computer recovery" when required. Though no Linux backup software is apparently supplied, the device is also said to be compatible with UNIX workstations, plus Linux 2.4 and higher.

According to LaCie, the Ethernet Disk includes a "built-in engine ensuring local is backed up," either to another NAS over the network, or to external disks connected to one of the device's four USB ports. The device is intended to be operated remotely via a web browser, but can also be managed locally via a dedicated interface, the company says. Accordingly, the unit features a VGA port, plus PS/2 ports for a keyboard and mouse.


The rear panel of LaCie's Internet Disk
Of course, the Ethernet Disk also includes a gigabit Ethernet port. In the photo of the device's rear panel shown above, the Ethernet port appears to reside on an expansion card, perhaps because this was a prototype unit. Actually, the device's RJ45 connector resides in the middle of the rear panel, above the USB ports, according to LaCie's manual. No expansion is listed as being available, and what appear to be parallel and serial ports are not actually connected, the documentation suggests.

LaCie touts the Ethernet Disk's styling, said to have been created for the company by the Scottish-born Neil Poulton, now resident in Paris. Inside, however, are workaday ingredients, not only including Windows XP Embedded, but also a 1GHz Via C7 processor and 256MB of RAM.

As for storage, the Ethernet Disk is available in 2TB, 4TB, or 6TB capacities apparently provided in each case via a single drive rather than via multiple spindles. The device reads data at up to 30MB/sec. and writes it at up to 19MB/sec., says LaCie.

Features and specifications listed by LaCie for the Ethernet Disk include:

• Processor -- Via C7 clocked at 1GHz
  
• Memory -- 256MB "or greater" of DDR RAM
  
• Storage -- 2TB, 4TB, or 6TB, via internal disk drive
  
• Display -- VGA output
  
• Networking -- 1 x gigabit Ethernet
  
• Other I/O:
  • 4 x USB 2.0
    
  • 1 x VGA
    
  • 2 x PS/2 (for keyboard and mouse)
• Expansion -- n/a
  
• Dimensions -- 16.9 x 16.9 x 1.77 inches (430 x 430 x 45mm)
  
• Weight -- 20.6 pounds (9.34kg)

Further information

According to LaCie, the Ethernet Disk is available now for approximately $750 (2TB), $1100 (4TB), or $1500 (6TB). A rackmounting kit is $60 extra.

More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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