QNAP goes AJAX
Taiwan's QNAP Systems is on a roll. Over the past fortnight, it has launched an Intel Atom-based NAS, teased the NMP-1000 Network Media Player and followed all that up with the mammoth eight-bay TS-809 Pro NAS.
Is isn't done just yet, though, as it's now launching an all-new firmware for its TS-109/209/409 series of NAS devices. The release, version 3.0.0 build 0121, is an early beta made available after "months of development and lots and lots of lab testing", says QNAP.
Introduced in version 3 is a redesigned AJAX-based web interface that should, in theory, make NAS configuration more intuitive and a whole lot easier on the eye. It's armed with a selection of setup wizards designed to get users up and running quickly, and it supports useful features such as real-time resource monitoring.
Before you run to get your hands on it, QNAP does advise that this is a beta release and warns that it may contain bugs. Furthermore, it currently only works with Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 or Mozilla's FireFox 3.
Still, if you're itching to try it out and have one of the aforementioned browsers, the new firmware is available to download at the following locations:
TS-109 series
TS-209 series
TS-409 series
TS-409U
Further details, including bug-reporting information, can be found at QNAP's firmware and utilities forum (registration required). If you're not quite ready to give it a go but want to see what's on offer, there are additional images on page two and a YouTube walkthrough is available here.
Already running firmware 3.0.0? Share your thoughts and let us know how you're getting on in the HEXUS.community forums.
