WD Sentinel RX4100: 1U Rackmount RAID NAS/SAN for SMBs

WD expanded its portfolio addressing SMBs with the addition of the Sentinel RX4100, its first 1U rack-mount small business storage server.

"Following upon the success of our first SMB storage server, the WD Sentinel DX4000, we are responding to customer and partner requests to expand our portfolio with a solution for customers that have a rack-based computing infrastructure," said Thomas Gallivan, VP marketing for WD’s SMB solutions group. "The WD Sentinel RX4100 delivers a unified storage solution that’s easy to install, seamlessly integrates into Windows environments with Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials and offers complete data protection and secure remote access to a business’s data."

Connection
Sentinel RX4100 is a way for SMBs to centralize and store all of their documents and digital assets in one secure location. While installation and setup is intuitive, the product delivers enterprise features such as RAID protection, automatic server-based backup and restoration capabilities, redundant network and power options, as well as integrated NAS functionality and iSCSI SAN capabilities for virtualized network environments.

Protection
Sentinel offers a data protection solution and helps safeguard SMBs against data loss. Sentinel RX4100 comes with Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials OS and includes the software to backup 25 Windows and Mac OS client computers in the network. The product features pre-installed WD HDDs, optimized for reliability, quality and performance, factory configured in RAID-5 for data protection against drive failure.

Backing up and restoring stored data is automated with options for bare-metal backup and restoration of the entire system, as well as incremental backups and restoration for specific files. Mac OS systems can backup to Sentinel RX4100 using Time Machine backup utility. In the event of a accidental data loss or computer failure, Sentinel’s restore function finds lost files, and then restores them to their previous location, or allows the customers to restore the entire computer image, including the OS, program files, data and settings.

Collaboration
Sentinel RX4100 serves as ‘on-premise cloud storage,’ securing data in one central location in the office that can then be accessed from anywhere, encouraging collaboration among employees in distributed offices or among remote workers from any device via a web browser. WD also offers a third party DR option with KeepVault online storage that comes standard in the Sentinel RX4100 dashboard. Customers can have the benefit of cloud as well as the safety that comes with an integrated off-site storage solution for their business data.

Compatibility
Sentinel RX4100 is certified to be compatible with OSs including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, as well as Mac OS X Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion.

Availability
Sentinel RX4100 is available with populated drive configurations in 8TB, 12TB and 16TB capacities, through select U.S. distributors and online. Additionally, the Sentinel line of products are available through authorized SMB resellers and VARs in the US and Canada.

Pricing
MSRP is $1,899 for 8TB, $1,999 for 12TB and $2,349 for the 16TB configurations. Sentinel RX4100 SMB storage servers are covered by a three-year limited warranty. Additionally, WD Guardian Services offers technical support and extended warranty plans.