Western Digital Intros Ultra-Compact Network Storage Plus Servers at SMB Nation Fall

WD (Western Digital) introduced today the new WD Sentinel DS5100 and WD Sentinel DS6100 (S-series) ultra-compact network storage plus servers.

Introduced today for the first time at SMB Nation’s Fall Conference in Las Vegas, the WD Sentinel S-series feature high-performance Intel Xeon processors and are pre-installed with Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials. All WD Sentinel network storage products feature WD enterprise-class hard drives and these 4-bay WD Sentinel S-series desktop appliances offer up to 16 TB of raw storage. Additionally, unlike traditional NAS systems, the WD Sentinel S-series allow small businesses to run line-of-business applications on their network storage platform.

Built by WD, powered by an Intel Xeon processor and running Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, the WD Sentinel S-series is based on proven technologies from industry leaders. Unlike competitors’ proprietary operating systems, the S-series is a fully configured native Windows Server on which customers can deploy thousands of Windows applications.

The WD Sentinel S-series include WD 3.5-inch datacenter-class hard drives for enhanced data security.  Businesses gain enterprise-class reliability with dual dedicated boot drives (optional on WD Sentinel DS5100), dual gigabit Ethernet ports, and dual external DC-in power adapter ports. This engineered redundancy, along with a bezel lock for physical security, all add to the reliability of this ultra-compact network storage plus server that can be deployed virtually anywhere.

The WD Sentinel S-series is a complete, fully-configured solution with automatic backup and restore software for up to 25 users and 50 computers, all at a very affordable price that starts at $2,560 U.S. MSRP.  By combining a single solution for both storage and server requirements, the S-series appliances are a great solution for any small business looking for their first server.

“Finally, a network storage vendor has delivered a low-cost, turn-key solution that meets my customers’ requirements—with no assembly required,” said Kevin Royalty, Microsoft MVP and Managing Partner of Total Care Computer Consulting in Centerville, Ohio, who is speaking this week at the SMB Nation conference.. “Small business customers want a packaged solution with balanced disk, processor, memory, and operating system that is engineered and tested as a unit. The DS5100 and DS6100 appliances are ideal as a ‘first server’ due to the high-performance Intel Xeon processor, Windows Server, high-capacity enterprise-class disk storage, and tiny footprint.”

WD Sentinel S-series appliances are available today at CDW, PC Connection, and Insight, and through select VARs, resellers, and distributors worldwide. The WD Sentinel DS5100 is pre-populated in capacities of 4 or 8 TB. The WD Sentinel DS6100 is available with capacities of 8, 12, or 16 TB.

Five models of WD Sentinel S-series appliances are available. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) start at $2,560.00 USD for the WD Sentinel DS5100 4 TB network storage plus server. WD Guardian Services, which offer flexible, affordable and hassle-free technical support, are available for periods of one or more years.