Storage Tech Preservers Critical Data

XLink Technology Inc. recently announced the release of "EzOpenBackup Plus!" (V1.3 for Windows 2000 and XP). According to Milpitas, Calif.-based XLink, this disk-based backup software is "designed specifically for users of Microsoft Office and Visual Studio applications."

The company said this software has a unique feature the ability to save files between scheduled backups. The Data Recovery Bin feature "saves all changed portions of a file of the source folder before the next backup so that lost or damaged files can be replaced by a prior version," XLink explained.

"Data Recovery Bin eliminates the risk of data loss [even] if it is due to human error, including accidental file deletions, overwrites and file corruptions, or disaster strikes such as virus attacks or accidental power-off," the company added.

In addition, to ensure maximum efficiency of file saving, "non-useful" files can be filtered out when files are copied for backup, the company said. The software tracks file operational history such as file close, file saving and file transfer. Backup can be done to multiple locations of local and remote sites, with individual schedules for each site.

The software sells for $59.99, said XLink. Further details are available at www.xlink.com.

Maxtor Corp. offers the "Maxtor OneTouch II" drive, an external hard drive that allows users to back up data "with the simple touch of a button."

According to Milpitas, Calif.-based Maxtor, "no high-tech knowledge is required to set up the new drive." A "click-through" installation asks a few questions "while configuring the software in the background to automatically back up all locally connected drives and files on the computer every day," said Maxtor. Once installed, the drive functions automatically in its backup role.

The drive comes with the software to help manage backup, as well as a Maxtor DriveLock security feature "for added data protection and more powerful restore capabilities, including historical backup recovery," the company noted.

This feature allows users to password-protect the contents of the drive. "Once a consumer powers down the computer, or the drive is removed from the system, access to the drive will be automatically locked until the correct user-defined password is provided," said Maxtor.

The Maxtor OneTouch II external drive comes in versions that store either 300 or 250 gigabytes, the company added. Both feature an interface for easy connection to a Mac or PC. Suggested retail price is $379.95 for the 300GB drive and $329.95 for the 250GB model. Further details are available at www.maxtor.com.

Iomega Corp. has announced an external hard drive that is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket and weighs in at just 3.5 ounces, which would come in handy for smaller agencies and offices that need to back up and store data in smaller capacities, as well as take that data anywhere.

The "Iomega USB 2.0 Mini Hard Drive" available in 20GB and 40GB models receives 100 percent of its power from a standard universal serial bus (USB) data port, said San Diego-based Iomega.

"Using a Mini Hard Drive is extremely simple," said Brad Nelson, general manager of consumer products for Iomega. "Just connect it to your computers USB port and youre ready to take your files anywhere." He pointed out that other hard drives may require an AC power source, "tethering you to the nearest available AC wall outlet."

Iomega said the new drive offers "plug-and-play simplicity with any compatible Windows or Macintosh computer. A blue drive light signals disk activity, and an on/off switch allows laptop users to power down the device without disconnecting it."

The Iomega Mini Hard Drive requires a Pentium processor or higher with Microsoft Windows Me/2000/2000Pro/XP (Home or Professional Edition) Macintosh G4 or G3 (blue and white G3 only) or iMac computer with a built-in USB connection and Mac OS 9.0 or above, the company said.

The drive is priced (suggested retail) at $179 (20GB) and $279 (40GB). More information is available at www.iomega.com.

Kingston Technology Company has announced three new versions of its "DataTraveler USB 2.0″ product line DataTraveler II, DataTraveler II Plus and Data Traveler Elite.

Designed for small-to-midsize business use, Data Traveler II and II Plus include high-speed USB 2.0 and pre-loaded security software with private zones and password protection, said Fountain Valley, Calif.-based Kingston. Both are said to be designed for users who need higher capacities and faster data transfer.

DataTraveler Elite is designed to safeguard data for information technology departments, as well as corporate and government organizations, the company added. It features "a unique combination of hardware- and software-based security that gives unprecedented access control and encrypted data protection."

It also has a data transfer rate of 24 megabytes per second reading speed and 14MB per second writing speed, "making it one of the fastest USB devices on the market today," said Kingston.

DataTraveler IIs suggested retail prices range from $28 (128MB) to $107 (1GB). DataTraveler II Plus prices range from $42 (256MB) to $239 (2GB), the company said. For DataTraveler Elite, prices range from $53 (256MB) to $288 (2GB). Further details are available at www.kingston.com/digitalmedia.

Reproduced from National Underwriter Edition, April 8, 2005. Copyright 2005 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.