(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — CTERA’s (www.ctera.com) CloudPlug is a unique solution for file sharing, data backup and synchronization.
The small plug computing device contains a server that allows it to convert any external USB/eSATA drive into network-attached storage with integrated online backup.
Users can then share and synchronize files on their local network.
CTERA recently announced at HostingCon 2010 it has partnered with cloud storage platform Mezeo Software (www.mezeo.com), joining the company’s Mezeo Ready program.
The partnership allows Mezeo Ready service providers to offer the CTERA CloudPlug solution and CTERA’s larger 2-bay appliance, the CTERA C200, seamlessly connecting a user’s local network to Mezeo-based storage clouds for secure remote file sharing, synchronization and remote access.
In an email interview with the WHIR, CTERA VP of marketing Rani Osnat discusses the CloudPlug solution, the company’s recent partnership with Mezeo, and how the solution can ultimately benefit CTERA, Mezeo and end users.
[WHIR TV recently posted a video interview with Mezeo CEO Steve Lesem, in which he discusses the Mezeo Ready program in general, and CTERA's Cloud Plug offering, specifically.]
WHIR: How does CTERA’s CloudPlug work?
Rani Osnat: The CloudPlug is essentially a small Linux server with embedded NAS and cloud gateway capabilities. Once you connect it to a power socket and a router (Ethernet), and connect external USB or eSATA drives, it allows users on the local network to share those drives as networks storage, and to synchronize folders on local PCs with folders on the shared drives. But it also provides remote access to the drives from anywhere using a Web browser, and of course online backup which is performed from the CloudPlug itself – de-duplication, encryption and compression all done automatically. Restoring backups can be done back to the shared drives connected to the CloudPlug, or to any PC using a Web browser.
WHIR: How is it different than other cloud storage devices on the market?
RO: The CloudPlug is probably the smallest (and least expensive) device on the market that provides both local and cloud storage. Normally, cloud storage (e.g. with Amazon S3) is accessed separately from local storage. What makes the CloudPlug (and CTERA’s approach in general) unique, is the ability to provide a seamless experience in terms of hybrid local/cloud storage, data protection and file access.
WHIR: How did the Mezeo partnership come to be?
RO: Mezeo was looking for applications to drive usage of their cloud storage platform within their customer base, and CTERA was looking to support additional cloud storage platforms (in addition to Amazon S3 and Rackspace CloudFiles that we’d already supported).
WHIR: How will partnering with Mezeo Software benefit CTERA, Mezeo and its end users?
RO: CTERA benefits from access to additional MSPs that use Mezeo’s platform to manage their cloud storage backend. Mezeo benefits from driving increased usage of their platform, since CTERA’s solution drives the use of cloud storage for off-site backup and universal file access. MSPs benefit from having a scalable yet easy-to-use infrastructure that allows them to quickly set up data protection and storage services on the one hand, while managing growth and optimizing storage use on the other hand.
WHIR: Who would you say falls into CTERA’s target market?
RO: CTERA targets the SMB segment as well as distributed enterprises with remote offices and branches. Those are our end users. However, we sell only indirectly through channels that include value added distributors, VARs, and MSPs/ISPs.
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