The new routers, called My Net, are part of a family of home networking products that accelerate HD streaming performance using Western Digital's FasTrack technology. This new tech targets traffic on the network and "fast-forwards" it to other devices like gaming consoles, smartphones and tablets.
The My Net family consists of five wireless routers, including the My Net N900 Central, the My Net N900, the My Net N750, the My Net N600 and the My Net Switch.
The My Net N900 Central, which is $299.99 for 1 TB and $349.99 for 2 TB, offers accelerated HD streaming along with storage for remote access and wireless backup. The dual-band storage router provides speeds up to 900 Mbps, where there's 450 Mbps on each band, two USB 2.0 ports, and a seven-port gigabit ethernet switch. The My Net N900, which is $179.99, offers the same specs, but adds 3D media streaming and online gaming instead of just HD.
Then there's the mid-range My Net N750, which runs $119.99, doesn't have network storage. However, it offers a 5 GHz network performance, gigabit ethernet, and an additional USB 2.0 port.
The My Net N600 ($79.99) and the My Net Switch ($69.99) do not have network storage either. The My Net N600 offers speeds of 300 Mbps on each band, a five-port 100/100 ethernet switch and one USB 2.0 port while the My Net Switch provides an eight-port gigabit ethernet switch. However, the Switch doesn't support Wi-Fi.
“With so many people within the home simultaneously watching movies, playing games and browsing the Web via their iPad, iPhone, Xbox and other devices, the network demands placed on today’s connected home has grown exponentially,” states Jim Welsh, executive vice president for WD's branded products and consumer electronics groups. “Our successes in creating Connected Home solutions with our WD TV media players and personal cloud products have given us valuable insights into the network-overload problems of home wireless users, and entering the wireless home networking market offers WD an exciting opportunity to strengthen our Connected Home offerings that are aimed at enhancing the home entertainment experience for consumers.”
All models except the My Net N900 Central are available now. The My Net N900 Central will be sold next quarter.
It seems a bit odd that Western Digital is just now offering a series of 802.11n routers because others are already releasing next-gen 802.11ac Wi-Fi routers with quicker speeds. However, the support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi routers isn't quite as widespread yet.
via : dailytech.com