The Value Of Ethernet Enclosure In The Computer Networking Family
Ethernet enclosure – why do you need it? Your data is precious; you store it in a hard drive. So it becomes your concern to protect this hard drive. What happens if this storage device breaks down? Gone are your hours of hard work – your data can be lost forever! If this is important to one computer, how much more it is to a network? So, a need for Ethernet enclosure is called for under the circumstance.
Understanding the meaning of Ethernet –
Ethernet is a family. The integral members of this family are frame-based network technology of computers. They are specifically for use in LAN (local area network). The term Ethernet was conceptualized from the term ether which is a description of wire and signal for physical layer of OSI model of networking. It also embodies media access control and data link layer.
The concept of enclosure
Enclosure is related to external data storage devices. They were invented in answer to the problem regarding conservation of data in the delicate hard disk drives. So although it is for hard drive, it is for protection of the data contained in the external data storage device.
Know the basic features and technical details of your Ethernet enclosure
This type of enclosure is actually a combination of Ethernet and USB2.0 where you can install any chosen external hard drive. In order for the network storage to be protected and secured, it should contain the NDAS technology. For this, no server is mandated and at the same time does not require IP configuration.
It is best that the Ethernet enclosure is compact. Its lightweight drive must offer a plug and play set-up. Establishing a back-up is needed and there should be room for expansion. Thus, the Ethernet enclosure needs a software feature that would allow a RAID 1 (redundant arrays of inexpensive/independent disks) or RAID 0.
This enclosure should work under a PC or Mac hardware platform with RAID as its form factor. The type of drive for this Ethernet enclosure supports IDE ATA 100/133 Hard Drive. Its interface is Ethernet and USB2.0. The rate of transfer for USB2.0 is 480 Mbps while that of Ethernet is 100 Mbps. The cable type is Category 5e or even better and the LEDs are power and Link/ACT.
For PC system requirement, its OS is Windows 2000/XP with a minimum processor or 350 MHz and 128MB RAM. It can use a USB 1.1 port, but the UAB2.0 is better – according to suggestions. It contains a CD-ROM and a 100 MB NIC for NDAS connection.
For the Mac system requirement, it needs OS x 10.2 or even higher and a G4 processor. A RAM of 256 MB is recommended although 128 MB can suffice. It must have CD-ROM drive, 100 Base T duplex- switch for NDAS connection.
So if you are running a local area network, your data is secured when your external hard disk drive is protected by Ethernet enclosure. This device will not cost you so much but the benefits to ensure the product of hard work are guaranteed.