New storage start-up peeks through the clouds

Storage start-up CTERA Networks debuts

Developments of the week in storage

A new storage start-up peeked out through the clouds last week - CTERA Networks is rolling out its CloudPlug device - an appliance the size of an AC adapter that connects PCs to cloud storage.

Its product, CloudPlug turns an external USB hard drive into a network-attached storage (NAS) device when it is plugged into a USB port. It also enables the ‘now turned on’ NAS device to be automatically backed up into the cloud.

Dubbed Cloud Attached Storage, the CloudPlug backs up data without user intervention or PC-based software. In addition, the CloudPlug service promises encryption and deduplication.

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A new storage start-up peeked out through the clouds last week - CTERA Networks is rolling out its CloudPlug device - an appliance the size of an AC adapter that connects PCs to cloud storage.

Its product, CloudPlug turns an external USB hard drive into a network-attached storage (NAS) device when it is plugged into a USB port. It also enables the ‘now turned on’ NAS device to be automatically backed up into the cloud.

Dubbed Cloud Attached Storage, the CloudPlug backs up data without user intervention or PC-based software. In addition, the CloudPlug service promises encryption and deduplication.

The device is designed for small businesses and consumers who will contract with ISPs and MSPs for their backup needs. The company is looking for ISPs and MSPs to offer this cloud-enabled storage capability.

The company was founded in May 2008 by Liran Eshel and Zohar Kaufman, both formerly of SofaWare, a Check Point company, and funded by Benchmark Capital. It is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., with offices in Israel.

CloudPlug is expected to be available some time this year.

P.S. Again, if you are interested in server acquisitions over the past 10 years, visit the Masters of Enterprise Servers site located here.

Read more about data center in Network World's Data Center section.

Deni Connor is principal analyst for Storage Strategies NOW and host of both the Masters of Storage and Masters of Servers Solution Centers.