TechWatch: Remote Management; Storage; Motherboards

EYE IN THE VIRTUAL SKY
Looking for a remote server-management solution that's easy to install? Look no further than StarTech.com's Internal Server Remote Control, which enables network administrators to monitor the health of their servers and make critical changes via any browser-equipped PC. After two generations of products, StarTech has finally squeezed the device onto one internal PCI card, making it a snap to use. It also has remote virtual-drive technology built in, which enables fast server updates. StarTech has even given the tool a catchy model number: the SV1110IPPCI. You'll find it available at D&H and other distributors.

SERVER REMOTE CONTROL, www.startech.com Price: $699

IOMEGA REVS UP
Positioning the device as a low-cost backup storage alternative, Iomega is unleashing its REV drive. Designed to replace entry-level SCSI-based tape and other backup devices used with servers, the REV comes in two models, which handle either 35-GB or 90-GB disks. Best of all for VARs, Iomega in September began shipping the drive in a white-box configuration (in both internal and external form-factors). Although REV disks have classically Iomega-esque pricing at $60 a pop, they're smaller than a deck of playing cards and deliver read/write performance of up to 25 MBps--which the company claims is faster than many tape alternatives.

IOMEGA SCSI REV DRIVE, www.iomega.com Price: $500 (external); $450 (internal)

NANCONA RISING
Mobo makers are racing to supply white-box builders with boards that support Intel's new 64-bit Xeon (formerly code-named Nancona). Tyan Computer is the latest to roll out a product in the form of two high-end boards, dubbed Thunder i7520 and Thunder i7520R. Both support dual-processor Xeon configurations along with PCI-X expansion slots, two Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and Tyan's unique "Taro" SO-DIMM memory expansion module. The i7520R offers a thermally optimized layout aimed at rack-mounted server applications. Separately, Tyan also is announcing two midrange, ATX-sized boards.

THUNDER MOTHERBOARDS, www.tyan.com Price: $587 (i7520); $524 (i7520R)