Pogoplug: An Interesting, Linux-Friendly NAS

While more and more computer peripherals and gadgets these days are running Linux internally, not many vendors are matching their internal Linux support with external Linux customer support. For the Pogoplug though, which is made by CloudEngines, this is not the case. The Pogoplug is a network attached storage device that is far more than a basic NAS like the Icy Box NAS4220, but the Pogoplug can integrate with social networks like Twitter along with providing a rich web 2.0 interface for accessing the device from anywhere in the world. The Pogoplug device runs Linux and is built upon popular open-source packages, but Pogoplug does not hide this fact and they actually encourage community developers to work on the Pogoplug with complete support for SSH-ing into these devices and making modifications. CloudEngines also offers a 32-bit/64-bit Linux program for interacting with the Pogoplug.

CloudEngines had sent over their second-generation Pogoplug that was released last year. The Pogoplug retails for just over $120 USD and it allows up to four USB 2.0 devices to be connected to the device that then can be hooked into any wired Internet connection with Gigabit connectivity support. Regardless of whether the Pogoplug is behind a router / firewall, the user can then access their data on up to four USB devices from anywhere in the world and optionally share this data with others. This is done using Pogoplug's secure web portal, or one of the desktop clients for Linux / Mac OS X / Windows, or even their mobile Pogoplug applications for the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. The Pogoplug also offers other features not common to other network storage devices like being able to easily create media slideshows and the aforementioned social network integration.

The Pogoplug box is white and pink to match the colors of the device itself. The product packaging advertises that with the Pogoplug you can share your content anywhere on the Internet, instantly share your photos/music/videos, unlimited storage growth, secure and private, and no monthly fees or other associated charges. The Pogoplug device itself was well protected and besides the device there was a US power cable, one Ethernet cable, a quick start guide, and the product warranty information. The Pogoplug quick start guide is very brief as you just provide the network device with power and a network connection, connect any USB drive(s), and then go to the Pogoplug activation web-site. The activation process just takes a minute or two and after that point you are up and running.