Western Digital has recently announced an innovation in high-capacity storage solutions with their latest product, the Ultrastar Transporter. This powerful storage device not only boasts an impressive 368 TB of SSD storage, but it is also designed to be portable, making it an attractive choice for professionals needing to transport large amounts of data efficiently.
The design of the Ultrastar Transporter challenges the conventional perception of what an SSD is, blurring the lines between a traditional solid-state drive and a server or NAS (network-attached storage) system. At the heart of this device, you’ll find a robust Xeon 4310 processor with 12 cores, which is essential for facilitating high data transfer rates, particularly through network interfaces. Supporting this processing power is a substantial 128 GB of RDIMM RAM, ensuring quick and reliable access to the stored data which includes both the main SSDs and the two boot SSDs, all interfaced via NVMe.
One of the core purposes of the Ultrastar Transporter is to serve users who need to move significant volumes of data to locations where network connectivity is either too slow or prohibitively expensive. Industries such as film production can greatly benefit from this product as it allows on-site storage of all necessary data. However, despite being designed for transportability, the device is not suited to on-the-go work environments like commuting on a train due to its need for 1300 watts of power at peak consumption, and its bulky form factor—taking up two height units in a 19-inch rack.
The Ultrastar Transporter is heavy, weighing somewhere between 28 to 33 pounds (13 to 15 kilograms) based on conflicting information from the data sheet and product descriptions. Its weight may vary with the inclusion of a specialized carrying case, which is designed to facilitate transport by a single person and is included with the device.
For connectivity, once the Ultrastar Transporter reaches its destination, it can be linked to a network via 200GbE through two QSFP112 ports, which allows efficient data access and transfer. Additionally, there is a 10GbE interface via an RJ45 connection for versatility in networking options.
Recently unveiled at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Western Digital has yet to reveal both the availability and pricing for the Ultrastar Transporter. This product includes a practical transport case complete with a retractable handle and wheels, simplifying its relocation despite its substantial weight.
Images released showcase the robust form of the Ultrastar Transporter, with views from the front, rear, and a glimpse of its accompanying transport case, emphasizing its industrial-grade design and portability features.
The Ultrastar Transporter by Western Digital represents a significant step forward for professionals in various fields that require portable, high-capacity, and rapid data storage solutions. With its release, those in data-intensive fields can look forward to a new level of convenience and efficiency in data management and transportation.
