Network Access Of USB Devices
The myUTN-50 is a surprisingly small, blue box. Slightly larger than a standard deck of playing cards, it measures 3.9 x 3.2 x 1.2 inches and weighs approximately 2.4 ounces. The top of the unit has three status LEDs, and the front houses two USB 2.0 ports, an RJ-45 Ethernet jack, the AC adapter jack and a reset button. Additionally, there is a Kensington security slot for locking the device in place. One of the USB ports may be expanded up to four by using a USB hub. It should also be noted that the myUTN-50 will only support components that have their own power supply and do not rely on USB for electricity.
Connecting the myUTN-50 is done by simply plugging in the USB device(s), connecting it to the network, and powering the unit. All clients that are going to be accessing a USB device on the unit then need to have installed the SEH UTN Manager application, which only supports Windows XP and Vista. After being installed and launched, the SEH UTN Manager scans the network and creates a network list that shows the connected UTN servers and devices. From here, in order to connect a UTN server to a client, the UTN server must be assigned to a selection list. The search parameters for the network scan can be configured to include any network range. Additionally, the UTN Server can manually be assigned an IP address if one cannot be obtained automatically via BOOTP or DHCP.
The final step before use is to make sure the appropriate drivers (and any other requirements) that would be necessary to operate the USB device locally are installed on the client machine. Then, through the UTN Manager software, the user can connect to (activate) the device and use it as if it were physically plugged into the USB port on the client. One minor drawback to the system (which appears to rear its head in every other device we've seen with similar functionality), is that a USB device can only be connected to a single client at a time. After the user is done with it, it must be released, or deactivated, before another can utilize it.
During our evaluation, the myUTN-50 functioned flawlessly. All connections and software installations went without a hitch, and reviewers were quickly able to attach to and use the USB devices we tested. One that proved specifically useful was when we connected an external optical drive to the server. As soon as the drive was activated via the client, Windows discovered the new hardware, installed the appropriate drivers and assigned it a drive letter. From that point on, it was as if the drive was physically plugged in to the USB port on the computer. Other USB peripherals functioned just as seamlessly.
Security is also handled through the UTN Manager software and includes password protection, access control, encryption, port access control, and the support of secure protocols like HTTPS and SNMPv3. In addition, there is a second model (myUTN-52), which allows for the added security benefits of fiber optic networks. There are many useful functions for this product and probably a few more we haven't even thought of.
With an MSRP of $204.99 ($488.99 for the myUTN-52), the myUTN-50 is priced a little higher than we would have expected it to be. It is not too high though, that it shouldn't be considered if there is a need that its functionality will fill. It is a simple device, that does a simple job; but it does that job well.