Downsizing NAS, Ximeta Supplies Its Technology to Iomega

Edward Park, chief executive of startup Ximeta Inc. told Extreme Tech last week that he expected Iomega would announce today that it will license the Ximeta NDAS (Network Direct Attached Storage) technology. The Ximeta technology allows network-attached storage to also directly connect to a PC through a USB 2.0 or other connection. Park also said Ximeta will ship a smaller version of its NDAS device, the NetDisk, as well as a version that combines a hard disk with a wireless router.

Iomega spokesman Chris Romoser confirmed that Ximeta is a supplier of Iomega, but said no formal licensing deal or announcement will be announced today.

Park also said that on Wednesday Ximeta plans to take the NDAS concept further by taking it mobile. The company plans to introduce a 40-GB mobile NetDisk Mini in December, which the company will ship in volume quantities early in January for an estimated price of $249.99. The portable NetDisk contains a ruggedized Momentus hard drive from Seagate, allowing it to be taken on the road with less of a chance for data loss.

Ximeta also plans to announce a number of software enhancements designed to increase the functionality of the NetDisk line.

Currently, the NetDisk family must connect to a wired router to transfer information around the network. This coming January, Ximeta plans to combine a WiFi access point with a 4-port Fast Ethernet router, Park said. The internal drive will be considerably larger, most likely 250 and/or 300 gigabytes, Park said. Pricing has not been set, he said.

This story was updated on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 9:45 PM PDT with comments from Iomega’s Romoser.

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