Western Digital offers storage solutions for a variety of use cases, including some of the most specialized ones. This includes scenarios such as conducting seismic exploration in remote areas or working in locations with slow internet connectivity. To address the needs of individuals facing these challenges, Western Digital has introduced the Ultrastar Transporter. Weighing in at 30 pounds and equipped with its own portable case, this device is designed to provide a reliable storage solution for demanding environments.
The Ultrastar Transporter boasts 368 TB of NVMe flash storage and is equipped with a 12-core CPU. Additionally, it's conveniently portable, weighing around 30 pounds and comes with a carrying case. According to the company, this server is well-suited for placement in data center racks, whether in remote or centralized locations, with custom rail kits designed for easy rack installation.
Transporting 30 pounds of tech equipment may seem cumbersome, but Western Digital emphasizes that physically transferring large amounts of data can save significant time compared to other online transfer methods. It's important to recognize the scale of data that Western Digital had in mind when designing this equipment: the Ultrastar Transporter facilitates data transfer between edge and data center locations, making it ideal for scenarios where large amounts of data need to be collected at one location and processed at another.
The Ultrastar Transporter made its debut at this year's NAB show in Las Vegas, along with several other storage solutions from the company. They unveiled a range of new storage cards that push speed and capacity to new levels, and in partnership with Samsung, they launched the commercial-grade ultra-portable SD Express storage device in 2024.
The upcoming Western Digital/SanDisk SD Express and SanDisk microSD Express storage offer speeds 4.4 times faster than the current fastest SD UHS-I cards. According to the company, this makes them an excellent choice for data-intensive workflows, high-performance cameras, and other compatible devices. Their performance levels rival those of solid-state drives and are compatible with existing SD UHS-I and UHS-II devices.
The Western Digital/SanDisk SD cards and microSD Express cards are expected to be available at retailers and Western Digital stores this summer.
