Internet-Accessible Storage

With Tritton Technologies' $330 Advanced Server Appliance Product, I waved good-bye to my Internet service provider's 10MB limit on Web site space. Instead, I enjoyed storing video and audio files on the ASAP, streaming the content across my home network, and accessing it from any PC via Internet Explorer.

With broadband Internet access I was able to use the ASAP as a full-fledged remote-access server. In geek parlance, the ASAP is a network-attached storage device; businesses have been using larger, much more expensive NAS devices for years.

You can set up password-protected access to the data on the ASAP from any Internet-connected PC. During setup, Tritton steps you through assigning your device a domain name, by way of free services such as those of DynDNS.org. To use the ASAP's file transfer functions, you assign your device a URL that is based on your domain name. Then, by entering that URL, visitors can gain access to the ASAP and any files and documents you care to share. Guests just need to use either IE or a file transfer protocol program.

Using my preproduction ASAP wasn't all good news. The setup process was rough around the edges, with cryptic menus and incomplete directions (though Tritton does offer free phone-based technical support). And the ASAP's ability to host a Web site was not available for testing.

Nevertheless, the ASAP will likely appeal to tech-savvy users who won't mind some tinkering to get powerful, affordable network storage.