Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile

    Toshibas Magnia Blends Functions

    Written by

    John Taschek
    Published August 26, 2002
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Since I reviewed Toshibas MAGNIA SG10 appliance server about 18 months ago (see www.eweek.com/links), Toshiba has made several changes, all for the better. The system, now called the SG20, which shipped in late June, is more powerful. It also has new business-class functionality, such as an integrated VPN, and an optional wireless server.

      Although the unit looks the same as the SG10, its a different story under the hood. And when its equipped as well as my test unit was, it makes an interesting appliance, especially when coupled with Toshibas e740 Pocket PC device with built-in wireless access.

      The SG20 is not meant to be a data processing machine (its powered by a Celeron 566MHz processor, with 15 to 40 4,200-rpm drives and 128MB of RAM), but it is an efficient workgroup and branch-office server. It has a seven-port switch; can perform content filtering and caching; and includes a mail server, a Web server and a packet-filtering firewall. An eighth port on the unit can be daisy-chained to another SG20 for expandability.

      For larger enterprises, Toshiba offers a range of servers, from the Magnia Z310 to the Magnia 7100, a dual-processor server for small to midsize businesses.

      Whats new in the SG20 device is an option for built-in wireless access via an Orinoco Wi-Fi (802.11b) card that slips into a slot in the back. The best feature is that the unit and the wireless access can be managed from a central location (even a remote location if configured).

      Although the wireless access relies on WEP for security, administrators can set up additional security parameters to block unwanted access because the administration is handled through a single unit.

      It took 15 minutes to set up the server, but a drive failed before I had imaged it to the backup drive. I therefore got a chance to see Toshibas tech support in action. I called the main number listed on a card and was on hold less than 10 minutes before I talked to a support engineer. Unfortunately, he directed me to another number, and I was on hold for 15 more minutes. The support engineer shipped out a drive overnight, and it worked without a hitch.

      Like the SG10, the SG20 is based on Red Hat Linux (this time its 7.0). The device also features an auto-update capability that keeps the system fresh with little administrator maintenance.

      The SG20 lists for $1,999 with a unit that includes the wireless access and two 40GB drives.

      John Taschek
      John Taschek
      As the director of eWEEK Labs, John manages a staff that tests and analyzes a wide range of corporate technology products. He has been instrumental in expanding eWEEK Labs' analyses into actual user environments, and has continually engineered the Labs for accurate portrayal of true enterprise infrastructures. John also writes eWEEK's 'Wide Angle' column, which challenges readers interested in enterprise products and strategies to reconsider old assumptions and think about existing IT problems in new ways. Prior to his tenure at eWEEK, which started in 1994, Taschek headed up the performance testing lab at PC/Computing magazine (now called Smart Business). Taschek got his start in IT in Washington D.C., holding various technical positions at the National Alliance of Business and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. There, he and his colleagues assisted the government office with integrating the Windows desktop operating system with HUD's legacy mainframe and mid-range servers.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×