HDD Information
Not only does the SMART AP display the total and free capacity of your hard drive but it does so graphically and even reminds you in time when you are about to run out of space. Ever worried about how old your drive is and if it might be time to get a replacement, so that your data is safe and secure? No need to guess any longer, because if you do it smart, you keep an eye on the total usage time and how many times the drive has been powered on and off, so you can get an idea of when to get a replacement drive.
HDD Temperature
With global warming and increasingly larger as well as faster drives, it is always smart to monitor the temperature of your hard drive, in order to extend the lifetime and prevent drive failures. The SMART AP uses S.M.A.R.T. information from the drive, to make use of the internal sensor, so you get an accurate reading and without the need to purchase and install an additional temperatur sensor. The graphical interface provides you with a quick overview but at the same time, it also records the highest temperature of the day and warns you in case of overheating.
HDD Model
To troubleshoot the product and to help when it's time to purchase a new hard drive, the SMART AP displays the model number and serial number of the hard drive. Without taking your enclosure apart, you get the necessary information right on your desktop and even a hyperlink to redirect you to the corresponding website. Finding and buying a replacement, a new drive or further accessories has never been easier!
SMART AP Settings
Configure the settings of your SMART AP according to your own requirements. Give it a name to easily recognise the drive, define the interval time to refresh the information and set the treshhold for the warning when you run out of storage space or in case of overheating. For tech support and possible firmware updates, you can even see the chipset and firmware version of your external storage enclosure.
FAQ
Q: What is S.M.A.R.T.?
A: S.M.A.R.T. stands for Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology. It is a monitoring system for computer hard drives, using information provided by the HDD itself to detect and report on various inidicators that can be used for analysis and as reference for the overall reliability and performance of the drive. The SMART AP uses some of that data to display useful information, such as the internal drive temperature as an example. For more details about S.M.A.R.T. in general, please refer to this Wikipedia article about S.M.A.R.T.
Q: Which products are supported?
A: Currently, Macpower's external USB and FireWire hard drive enclosures (one bay only) based on the Oxford 924 or JM20339 chipset. E.g.: Pleiades Super S-Combo & DC-SATA 800+.
Q: Where can I download this application?
A: Stay tuned, this application will be available for OEM and ODM customers soon.
Q: I already have a Oxford 924 based product, will the SMART AP recognize it?
A: No, only products that already include the SMART AP at the time of purchase support this new application.
Q: Which Operating Systems are supported?
A: Mac OS 10.4, 10.5 and Windows Vista.
Q: Which interfaces are supported?
A: FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and USB 2.0.
Q: Can the branding and the hyperlinks for this application be modified?
A: Yes, we can offer the SMART AP with your own branding and links to your own website or online shopping site. The idea of this application is that users have convenient access to the corresponding product website, when they are in need of a new hard drive or additional storage enclosures, so that they can easily and quickly buy additional products.
