Iomega Opens ix2 NAS to Torrents, Remote Access

A free firmware upgrade brings the latest StorCenter ix2 up to speed with a slew of major new features.

After rolling out its StorCenter ix2 network attached storage device last year and earning high marks as a home media server, Iomega has reworked the box to include a slate of new features that make it a more versatile box. The latest firmware upgrade allows the ix2 to offer remote access to stored files via the Web and offers support for peer-to-peer file-sharing services like BitTorrent.

Rather than having to install an Iomega client on remote computers to tap into the ix2 from afar, Iomega will allow remote access through a personalized web address, which can even come in the form of custom domains (www.joesfileshere.com, for instance.) The first year of access comes free with the box, and Iomega charges $10 a year thereafter.

Torrent files, meanwhile, can be transferred directly to the StorCenter, which will handle the download process on its own, eliminating the need to leave a spare computer on overnight for long downloads, or burden an existing system with the task.

Other additions with the latest major firmware update include folder quotas for shared folders, “Jumbo Frame” support for speeding up the transfer of large files, and compatability with Apple’s AGP file format.

The firmware is available immediately as a free update from Iomega, and comes preinstalled on all new systems.