An $89, peer-to-peer “Brease” private file server on Kickstarter features four USB 3.0 ports, a GbE port, 256-bit AES, mobile support, and media streaming.

Dutch startup Brease is more than halfway to a $90,000 Kickstarter funding goal for the Brease private file server. Packages are available through June 16, starting at $89, or $119 for the functionally identical Black Thunder Edition, both of which ship in Feb. 2016. An internally identical anodized aluminum Onyx Edition goes for $199, but ships in Dec. 2015.

Brease

The Brease is a private cloud device, somewhat similar to the OpenProducts OPI or Sher.ly’s Raspberry Pi based Sherlybox. Unlike the Sherlybox, there’s no onboard storage, and unlike the OPI, there’s no email server feature. However, like these devices, the more affordable Brease runs Linux and promises no intervention by a cloud service — you create and control your own private cloud.


Brease network diagram
(click image to enlarge)

The device’s open source Linux stack is optimized to run a peer-to-peer protocol. It handles all requests, such as opening files and sharing folders, using SSH (Secure Shell). In addition, the Brease provides AES 256-bit encryption, with keys stored locally and accessible only to physically assigned devices.


Brease ports including USB on front (left) and power and GbE on back (right)
(click image to enlarge)

The 11.1 x 6.8 x 2.6cm Brease is equipped with an unnamed, dual-core, 1.5GHz Cortex-A9 SoC with 1GB of user DDR3 RAM and 8GB of OS-dedicated DDR3 RAM. The device offers a gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to a modem or router, as well as four USB 3.0 ports that collectively support up to 8TB of storage.


Brease PCB
(click image to enlarge)

The Brease supports up to 50 connected devices including Android, iOS, Windows and Mac, but there’s no desktop Linux support. The setup process for such devices involves scanning the pattern on the back of the Brease, and then assigning a hard disk drive or flash drive to be made available to the private Brease network.

Brease UI (click to enlarge)

Users can view, add, remove, or edit files, and start creating a file on one device while finishing on another. A variety of security settings range from read-only to full access. You can assign personal cloud storage to individual users, as well as assign groups of users.

The Brease offers an autonomous backup process that also supports backing up all data to a second Brease device. Support for up to RAID-6 and JBOD storage enable RAID drives to back up each other.

A media streaming feature supports “all major file formats,” and comes with a mobile media player app and an offline mode. Stretch goals include support for DLNA, Chromecast, and Airplay.

 
Further information

The Brease is available on Kickstarter through June 16, in packages starting at $89, with shipments due in Feb. 2016. The exception is the $199 Onyx Edition, which ships in Dec. 2015. More information may be found at the Brease Kickstarter page and Brease website.