Consumers plug-in to network storage

Spiralling storage demands imposed by downloading digital video and music are pushing consumers to network storage technology, market watchers reported today.

In-Stat research indicates that the consumer network storage market grew at a faster pace in 2007, compared to 2006, and has more than doubled in the past two years.

Although competition in this space has increased, the analyst firm believes that "sound opportunities" remain for storage vendors.

"However, many consumers are still not familiar with Lan-capable storage products," said In-Stat analyst Joyce Putscher. "Consumer education is likely to benefit from Windows Home Server partners."

Recent research by In-Stat predicts that Windows Home Server purchasers will mainly be educated by PC vendors, while traditional network storage purchasers will be educated by networking equipment and storage vendors.