Raidsys and Asus have boxes that come equipped with USB and firewire ports for the connection of additional storage devices, but both companies’ machines pack sizeable hard drives already. Raidsys coined the term NAS, for network-attached storage, to describe the Linux-based systems, which also have Flash card readers.
Industry analysts, while noting the convenience of wireless storage points, quickly realized several drawbacks.
While wireless computers no longer require a plug-in connection to backup or otherwise offload data, the 802.11g-variant networks available still have not solved the problem of trace-data caching. In other words, the possible advantage of “hiding” files on a wireless server is not truly possible because wireless data transactions always leave a footprint.
The Asus model has a 60-gigabyte, 2.5-inch hard drive and is small and powerful enough to fit and receive signals behind a thin wall. Analysts point out that this would be a perfect location for illegal copies of music or video files, in addition to a secure spot for data storage if thieves steal a laptop or desktop computer, which at first glance appears more valuable.
Both machines show up on a desktop when a wireless connection is made and may be formatted and partitioned as necessary.