Seagate launches FreeAgent DockStar DIY cloud storage system

Seagate has expanded its range of FreeAgent desktop hard drives with a hard drive dock. This isn’t as useless as it sounds — drop a FreeAgent Go drive into the FreeAgent DockStar and it’s converted to a personal cloud storage device that can be accessed anywhere.

The FreeAgent DockStar ( PDF datasheet ) connects directly to a router via its own Ethernet port and a connected drive’s contents can then be accessed by any computer that’s attached to the same network (it also has three USB ports for connecting more drives).

Seagate says that the web-based configuration is quick and easy and the same interface is also used to access the DockStar drive. Both your own files and those on other shared DockStar drives appear in this interface too, making this an interesting proposition for remote workers who need to collaborate on projects.

Accessing the DockStar over the internet isn’t free, however — it requires a $30 annual subscription to the data-sharing service PogoPlug (who offers its own generic external hard disk dock), but the first year is included in the purchase price.

The DockStar is currently listed as £90 at Maplin Electronics and a 500Gb FreeAgent Go drive is available for around £80, which makes the Seagate combo much cheaper than a network attached storage (NAS) device with similar remote access features. It might also appeal to anyone who doesn’t trust commercial cloud storage services, but it isn’t a perfect alternative.

Part of the appeal of traditional cloud storage is that your data is stored on someone else’s heavy duty and (hopefully) reliable servers that offer plenty of bandwidth for downloading files. The FreeAgent DockStar, on the other hand, is a single drive that sits on your desk at home and downloading speeds are limited by the upload speed of your home broadband connection. Just something to bear in mind…

[ Seagate]