Any chance you guys are considering putting Thunderbolt connectors into future ReadyNAS products? Two Thunderbolt ports would allow for expanding the array with another NAS box and it is faster than eSATA while allowing for hot swap. It would also allow for plugging the NAS into a SAN array with an adapter to convert from Thunderbolt to Fiberchannel. Lots of other possibilities too.

+1. I'd like to see Thunderbolt too or something fast like it.

yes the ability to "stack" multiple Nas like switchs could be be very interesting ...

+1.... I would love to be able to backup more quickly, or use the system for a scratch drive as well...

I would like to see a native external disk connection supported so Netgear can properly support SMART data.

If there is going to be another type of interface added I would prefer to see something like FireWire 800. I am not sure how well Thunderbolt is going to be adopted outside the Apple world. But then again it was apple that started using FireWire long before the Wintel side of the house so there may be some benefit in the long run for a Thunderbolt connector on the ReadyNAS but not for a while.

Thunderbolt | NETGEAR Communities

13 Replies

Replies have been turned off for this discussion

mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
May 25, 2011
+1. I'd like to see Thunderbolt too or something fast like it.
lchapuis
Aspirant
May 25, 2011
yes the ability to "stack" multiple Nas like switchs could be be very interesting ...
jdog62
Aspirant
Aug 07, 2011
+1.... I would love to be able to backup more quickly, or use the system for a scratch drive as well...
claykin
Aspirant
Aug 08, 2011
I would like to see a native external disk connection supported so Netgear can properly support SMART data.
CharlesLaCour
Aspirant
Aug 08, 2011
If there is going to be another type of interface added I would prefer to see something like FireWire 800.

I am not sure how well Thunderbolt is going to be adopted outside the Apple world. But then again it was apple that started using FireWire long before the Wintel side of the house so there may be some benefit in the long run for a Thunderbolt connector on the ReadyNAS but not for a while.
cstumpf750
Aspirant
Nov 08, 2011
Thunderbolt would allow any other port type to be added with an adapter, so Firewire 800, USB 3, FiberChannel, etc.
cstumpf750
Aspirant
Jun 06, 2012
Well, Drobo has announce they are adding Thunderbolt to their storage devices.

So any response to that Netgear?
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Jun 06, 2012
We'll have to wait and see what they do. NetGear doesn't announce their plans long before new products go on sale.
paulhiphop
Aspirant
Jan 20, 2013
Lacie just anounced their 5 disk Thunderbolt RAID NAS.
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?id=10607
Netgear better get a move on - loyalty is nice but workflow is priority.
USB 2 is too slow. If Netgear are the same it will cost them dear.
chirpa
Luminary
Jan 20, 2013
Promise has had a Thunderbolt RAID box for awhile now too. I'm using their TB JBOD unit for my new NAS.