Western Digital 2TB My Book Mirror Edition dual-drive storage system

The safest place for your data.

WD’s My Book Mirror Edition dual-drive storage system automatically mirrors your valuable data for extra protection. USB 2.0 interface and a powerful combination of features make this system the storage solution of choice for photographers, home users, small offices, and anyone looking for extra assurance that their data is safe.

Features at a glance Easy installation and set up RAID 0/1 Automatic backup software Cooler, quieter, eco-friendlier Capacity gauge User serviceable 3-year limited warranty

Swapping out a drive is easy and you do not need any tools.

Gain peace of mind with this true data guardian. Organize and archive your vast photo, music, and artwork libraries. View larger.

My Book® Mirror Edition™ 360° view

Secure your vital data with WD’s My Book® Mirror Edition™ dual-drive storage system with RAID Mirroring. With RAID-based continuous data protection, automatic data backup software, and user-serviceability, this is the perfect backup system for your irreplaceable data.

The safest place for your data
Using RAID mirroring technology, this system automatically and continuously duplicates your data. If one drive in this two-drive system ever fails, the system continues to run and your data is safe. How’s that for peace of mind? Learn more about RAID

Automatic and continuous backup software
Back up your computer - just set it and forget it. Every time you save a change it's backed up and then mirrored on the second drive for the ultimate in data protection.

Cooler, quieter, eco-friendlier
Designed to use only WD drives with GreenPower™ technology, this system, with its efficient convection cooling architecture, fan-less design, and power saving mode, is reliably cool, remarkably quiet and consumes up to 33% less power* than standard systems.

* Tests based on comparison between a 1 TB dual-drive system using 7200 RPM drives and a 1 TB dual-drive system using WD's GreenPower drives.

Easy to set up, easy to use
You’re up and running in a few simple steps. WD’s intuitive RAID wizard software lets you easily modify your RAID settings.

Capacity Gauge
See at a glance how much space is available on your drive.

User serviceable
Want to upgrade a drive? Simply open the case and replace the existing drive – no screwdriver needed.

System Requirements
Available USB port
Mac® OS X 10.4.11+, 10.5.2+
Windows® 2000/XP/Vista

What's in the Box
Dual-drive storage system, USB cable, AC adapter, Software CD, Quick Install Guide.

More about RAID

RAID is a high-tech acronym for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. The acronym is not important. What is important is that the inclusion of RAID technology in WD's dual-drive external storage systems make them very powerful storage products.

With RAID enabled on a storage system you can connect two or more drives in the system so that they act like one big fast drive or set them up so that one drive in the system is used to automatically and instantaneously duplicate (or mirror) your data for real-time backup.

There are two reasons you might want a RAID system of drives.

1. You need tons of storage space and you need it to be fast. (RAID 0)
2. You want to instantaneously and automatically backup your data. (RAID 1)

Which RAID mode should I use?

RAID Mode Comparison

1. Speed (RAID 0)

Set in high-performance mode (also called striped mode or RAID 0) the storage system gives you the power you need when you're:

• Designing huge graphics and you need a lightning-fast Photoshop scratch space.
• Recording large DV files while maintaining clean audio performance.
• Editing DV or HD video and you want a smooth work flow with no dropped frames.
• Rendering complex 3D objects or special effects.
• Performing disk-intensive database operations.
• Driven to be the first geek on your block with a computer so fast it blows your socks off.

Why is RAID 0 so fast?

It's a bit complicated, but suffice it to say that two heads, or in this case, drives, are better than one. Picture two hoses filling a bucket at the same time or two men bailing a boat and you can understand why two drives striped are faster than one. Data is saved (striped) across both drives and accessed in parallel by both drives so you get higher data transfer rates on large data accesses and higher input/output rates on small data accesses.

2. Data protection (RAID 1)

Set the system to data protection mode (also know as mirrored mode or RAID 1) and the data is duplicated onto one of the drives providing two copies of all the data. This reduces your capacity to the size of a single disk.

So why do I want that kind of redundancy?
It's your data, your family pictures, your movie of baby's first steps, your first novel. Is it important? You decide. If it is, then RAID mirroring if for you.