LaCie Rolls Out SMB Servers

Two new variations on the LaCie 5big storage configuration rely on Windows server software to provide file sharing or network backup for multiple computers, including Macs.The 5-bay 5big box debuted a couple of years ago in the form of the 5big Network NAS system. Now LaCie has leveraged Windows Storage Server 2008 and Windows Home Server to offer different capabilities to small to midsize offices.

The 5big Storage Server supports standard file sharing formats, such as SMB, HTTP, AFP, and FTP, as well as Windows Active Directory. It provides file-level data deduplication to reduce storage requirements by ensuring that only one copy of a file is saved. With its own built-in backup engine, it can be backed up to an external drive as needed or on a schedule. And the five bays can be configured as RAID level 0, 1, 5, or 5+Spare.

The 5big Backup Server, on the other hand, runs on Microsoft Home Server and is intended more for backing up an office's PCs than for file sharing. Offering easy setup, the Backup Server also provides deduplication to reduce the backup task and supports multiple network protocols. It features file-level or bare-metal restore capabilities, depending on what's needed. And again, the entire server can be backed up to an external drive.

Both servers support up to 10 PCs and up to 25 Macs. A particularly appealing feature for Mac-based businesses is that the servers work with Time Machine -- the Backup Server gives each Mac its own dedicated directory as a backup target.

The new servers can be configured with up to 10 TB of storage space (a 2TB drive in each of the five bays). The Storage Server with 5 TB of space costs $1,700 (though it's currently out of stock); with 10 TB, $2,499. The Backup Server with 5 TB (also out of stock) costs $1,200, and with 10 TB $1,700.