Storage servers simplified - the ideal solution for the SMB market

However, when you take into account how vital data is to the daily operations of a business, storage and sharing are only half of the battle. Protecting this valuable asset is critical to the ability to run a successful business.

For a large enterprise, achieving all of this is a fairly simple task, as it has dedicated IT specialists to tackle the problem and large budgets to cater for all of its storage needs. For the small to medium business (SMB), however, an IT department is a luxury it does not necessarily have, and budgets are often tight. SMBs need reliable, affordable, secure and easy-to-manage storage servers designed to meet their specific needs and fit into their space, to allow them to connect and protect their data and collaborate effectively.

When it comes to implementing shared, server-based storage and back-up solutions, many SMB owners are in the dark. Implementing a do-it-yourself disk array is a challenging and often confusing task. The necessary skills to build, integrate and roll out such a storage server are typically not something that the majority of business owners have, nor do they have the time or inclination to learn. SMBs also often do not have a lot of space for extra IT equipment, and cannot justify the expense of a costly enterprise-grade server, storage and back-up solution.

Data sharing and back-up are vital

In today's world, the needs of the SMB are very similar to the needs of their large enterprise counterparts. Storage, data sharing and back-up are vital to the running of a successful business in the digital age. However, while their needs may be similar, they are not the same, and budgets and internal resources often differ dramatically. WD understands both the requirements and challenges of the SMB, and offers the WD Sentinel DS6100 as the ideal solution. This ultra-compact storage-plus server is affordable and reliable, using proven technology to deliver full functionality right out of the box.

Sentinel DS6100 is a complete, fully configured solution that is easy to set up and intuitive to use. Based on proven technologies from industry leaders, it is powered by an Intel Xeon quad core processor, and runs Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials. As a native Windows Server, it allows thousands of Windows applications to be deployed, increasing value and ease of use, and with configurations available up to 16TB it offers plenty of storage for the digital content explosion.

The device offers a unified storage solution with an integrated iSCSI Storage Area Network (SAN), Network Attached Storage (NAS) and server-based back-up technology at a very affordable price. It can also be configured as a DNS or DHCP server. Automatic back-up and restore for up to 25 users and 50 computers ensures data is always protected in case of unforeseen events and integrated line-of-business applications, such as QuickBooks, offer additional value and convenience. Measuring just 8 x 9 x 6 inches and equipped with a large, quiet fan, the Sentinel DS6100 can be deployed in any business environment.

By combining a single solution for both storage and server requirements, the WD Sentinel DS6100 is the ideal solution for the SMB. IT allows SMB users to store share and protect their important data quickly and easily, for enhanced productivity, agility and competitiveness in a data-driven world.