OCZ
PC2 4200 512MB SODIMM: $89
www.ocztechnology.com

The next generation of memory technology is here OCZ’s most visible memory products are high-performance desktop modules. From the high-voltage VX line to the low-latency Platinum series to the Titanium family, which offers advanced replacement in the event of a failure, the company has a lot of selection to offer knowledgeable resellers.

Beyond the diverse DDR and DDR2 DIMMs, OCZ also sells laptop and server memory—admittedly less exciting components but necessary nonetheless. You can currently find DDR333 and DDR400 SO-DIMM modules listed on OCZ’s site with modest timing characteristics aimed at mainstream notebook applications. Excellent for first-generation Centrino upgrades, DDR falls second to DDR2 in some of the latest notebook designs with Intel’s second-generation Centrino chipset.

Fortunately, OCZ also sells DDR2 SO-DIMM parts directly into the channel on a per-order basis from whitebook resellers and system integrators. After determining the exact model of whitebook to be used, the modules are hand-tested on the same design in order to guarantee that each one is functional and compatible.

Retailers are given the opportunity to purchase the DDR2 modules as stock inventory. However, OCZ is aware of resellers that who build to order and require quick turnaround times, reducing the need to stock modules unnecessarily. All of the DDR2 SO-DIMMs are covered by a lifetime warranty and are serviced through in-house tech support. You really shouldn’t have any problems, though. Installing the modules is a matter of removing a panel and snapping the board into place. Just note that DDR and DDR2 DIMMs aren’t interchangeable, even though they’re both based on 200-pin designs.

IOMEGA
NAS 200d/320GB with Print Server: $2,099
www.iomega.com

Storage Requirements continue to grow, accommodating ever-larger databases, information repositories, and media applications. Selling a fast, flexible, and affordable product helps those in a networked environment keep their information well-organized.

Iomega’s NAS 200d/320GB is an entry-level network appliance outfitted with a dedicated Intel Celeron processor, Ultra320 SCSI interface, and dual Gigabit Ethernet connections. It handles print duties for up to five network printers in addition to supporting Microsoft, Novell, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

The price tag might discourage some small business, but any VAR who has seen client sites with scattered printers and disheveled data organization will immediately recognize the value in consolidation through such a device.

LaCie
Big Disk Extreme 500GB: $429
www.lacie.com

For some companies, storing data on a NAS device isn’t an option. There might be a remote workstation disconnected from the network. Or I’ve seen plenty of businesses that keep the accounting machine completely separate from the other systems. In such a case, it’s often better to back data up to an external hard drive.

There are plenty of viable options for low-end and midrange external hard drives. But if you’re looking for something bigger and faster, LaCie’s Big Disk Extreme 500GB typifies both. Remarkably, it does so at a reasonable value as well—under $1 per gigabyte.

The drive’s solid performance is established by a built-in RAID 0 array, transparent to the user. Already, it’s faster than most internal drives. Then LaCie adds a Firewire 800 interface capable of shooting 100 MBps across an external cable, keeping pace with the array’s augmented speed. Sustained performance is rated at 88 MBps, and even then you’re still talking about more throughput than a standard internal drive.

Of course, most PCs don’t come standard with Firewire 800 connectivity—that’s generally an Apple feature. Thus the Big Disk Extreme necessitates the addition of a suitable controller card.

If cost is an issue, LaCie also sells several smaller Big Disk models that range all the way down to 160GB at $179. The value isn’t as prevalent, since those smaller models don’t feature RAID 0 speed and cost more per gigabyte, but they still feature Firewire 800 connectivity for better throughput.

CYBERPOWER
OR1500 UPS: $299
www.cyberpowersystems.com

You invest in RAID 1 mirroring in order to protect data. Servers often include two power supplies as a redundancy measure. Data is backed up nightly for the peace of mind that it’s safe. Naturally, protecting against power loss is just as important. CyberPower’s OR1500 is a flexible battery backup product that either slides into a rack-based server system or stands freely with the help of a bundled support system.

CyberPower rates the OR1500 for 1500VA or 950W of load, much more than most ordinary desktop workstations consume. The real value here is that the UPS accepts two serial ports for communication, meaning CyberPower’s bundled utility can control a pair of workstations and, in the event of an extended loss, turn them both off.

All six of the unit’s power ports are protected by battery power and guarded against surges. One RJ-45 data input jack is included, as is one RJ-45 output. Automatic voltage regulation circuitry helps condition power and prevents the battery from kicking in unnecessarily, extending the supply’s useful life. At $299, such a flexible unit is cheap insurance for a business server running critical software.