D-Link DIR-685

[DjStyles]

Just got informed about this from D-Link

D-Link DIR-685

7 July 2009, Johannesburg - D-Link, the end-to-end network solutions provider for consumers and business, is now shipping the industry’s first allin-
one home network router that combines powerful 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity with network attached storage (NAS), USB device-sharing,
digital photo frame, Internet content player, FTP server and Green technology in a sleek, compact desktop design.

The D-Link® Xtreme N® DIR-685 sports a stylish upright design for easy viewing of the vibrant 3.2-inch LCD screen powered by FrameChannel that
displays device status via graphical gauges, and serves as a digital photo frame by showing digital photos, streamed video, weather forecasts and
other live streaming Internet content in up to 1.6 million colors. Frame content is simple to manage at internetphotoframe.com.
The network attached storage (NAS) feature supports both UPnP® server functions and BitTorrent™ downloads with the ability to store up to
1Terabyte of data on a 2.5-inch SATA drive that mounts easily into the side of the DIR-685. A built-in FTP server allows users to access documents,
photos, music and other media locally through the home network or remotely across the Internet.

The DIR-685 includes two USB ports enabled with D-Link’s unique SharePort™ technology, allowing multiple users to wirelessly share USB
devices such as multi-function printers (MFP), scanners, and external hard drives, from virtually anywhere in the home or office. It also features Gigabit
ports for fast wire transfers.

The DIR-685 employs D-Link Green™ technology for conserving energy in several ways - including the ability to automatically recognize port activity
and cable length and adjust power usage accordingly, as well as by consolidating all functions to a single device instead of many separate
products, and by using the idle mode which automatically turns off power to the LCD screen when not in use.

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
For Immediate Release
An included Wi-Fi Scheduler can be programmed to turn off the router’s Wi-Fi module at a pre-set time, and the power adapter complies with Energy
Star specifications for average power savings of up to 30 percent. The same power-saving features located in the gigabit ports are also included in the
NAS drive.

“This router is the ideal solution for power consumers who want the ultimate all-in-one’ networking device,” says Tobie van Schalkwyk, D-Link Country
Manager, South Africa. “Not only does it offer full functionality as a router/NAS storage/print server/FTP device, it is attractive on any desktop,
environmentally friendly and Internet secure.”

Price and Availability
The D-Link Xtreme N DIR-685 All-In-One Router will be available through the company’s vast network of retail stores, value-added resellers, solution
providers and distributors, in middle of Q3.

 

[VanZan]

Why a 2.5-inch drive? What is wrong with using standard (read cost-effective) desktop HDD configurations?

 

[DJNgoma]

Why a 2.5-inch drive? What is wrong with using standard (read cost-effective) desktop HDD configurations?

I would prefer to use a 2.5" than a bulky 3.5", even if it costs about R700 for 250GB.

 

[VanZan]

It is a NAS server with a TB capacity - I don't even know if you get 2.5" TB drives yet and I wouldn't even try to imagine a price if they did. I would rather have the capacity on a desktop unit than save a few cm on space. Not to mention the extra cash.

 

[DJNgoma]

*cough**cough*
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/27/wd-ships-industrys-first-2-5-inch-1tb-hard-drive/

It's a router not a freaking file server lol, so I think 2.5" or even 1.8" are ok for these things.

 

[VanZan]

Yea right - launched on the 27/07/2009. My apologies for being out of date by 5 days. But I can guarantee you there are none available in SA.

It is a all in one device advertised as having a NAS function. My back-up capacity is 2TB.

A 3.5" TB Seagate is available at Esquire for about R900.
The 2.5" TB WD at current exchange rate costs R2000. In real terms it's going to cost you at least R2500 in SA.
Why pay the extra to save 1"?

 

[DJNgoma]

Yea right - launched on the 27/07/2009. My apologies for being out of date by 5 days.

Apology accepted .

But I can guarantee you there are none available in SA.

You would be suprised.

It is a all in one device advertised as having a NAS function. My back-up capacity is 2TB.

It's for home use not for pr0n use, so I doubt the average joe will have anything near 1TB. I thought one would prefer a NAS with RAID not a router. Remember the saying, "Jack of all trades... Master of none."

Why pay the extra to save 1"?

Same can be said most portable devices.

 

[Kosmik]

Hmmm actually I could use one of these.

Tired of my gaming machine grinding away due to downloads and serving.

It's more aesthetically pleasing than a server would be. And about none being available, the article does say expect mid 3rd quarter.