Network-attached storage, or NAS, has become an increasingly popular data storage solution for homes and businesses. In this blog, we’ll dive into what exactly NAS is, its key features and benefits, and things to consider when choosing a NAS device.
What is NAS?
NAS is a dedicated file storage device that is connected to a local area network (LAN) and can be accessed by authorized computers and devices on the network. Unlike regular external hard drives that connect to a single computer via USB, NAS works as a server, allowing multiple authorized systems to access and store files at the same time.
NAS devices contain one or more internal hard drives that are arranged in logical, redundant storage containers called RAID arrays. There are different RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, etc) that determine how the hard drives are used for optimized performance, capacity or data protection.
Key Features and Benefits
- Centralized Storage – Stores all files in one place instead of across multiple computers and drives. Easy to organize and manage.
- File Sharing – Allows multiple users to access, edit, upload and download files on the NAS simultaneously. Permissions and access levels can be set for different users.
- Remote Access – Access your files remotely from anywhere over the internet. Useful for working on the go.
- Backups – NAS can be used to automatically backup files and systems across the network. Provides data redundancy.
- Media Server – Many NAS systems can stream media files like photos, videos and music to compatible smart TVs, gaming consoles and media players on the network.
- Expandable Storage – Most NAS enclosures allow you to expand capacity by adding more hard drives. This scalability lets you easily increase storage as your needs grow.
- Other Apps – Advanced NAS operating systems like Synology DSM allow installing useful apps and software tools on the NAS itself. For example – media streaming, web servers, VPN, antivirus, dev tools etc.
Considerations when Choosing NAS
- Storage Capacity – Determine how much storage space you need currently and what you may require in the future. Plan to expand.
- Network Connectivity – Look for gigabit ethernet ports for the fastest data transfer speeds over the network. Some NAS also have USB 3.0 ports.
- Processor and RAM – Faster processors like Intel or ARM based CPUs and more RAM ensure better performance when multiple users access the NAS simultaneously.
- Supported Drives – Check which types of hard drives are supported. Most NAS today support SATA HDDs and SSDs. Some models also support M.2 NVMe SSDs.
- RAID Types – Consider which RAID configuration provides the right balance of performance, storage capacity and fault tolerance as per your needs.
- Backup and Recovery Tools – Look for built-in data backup, snapshot and cloning tools to protect your data.
- Warranty and Support – Choose a reputed consumer or enterprise NAS vendor that offers extended warranty and technical support.
Leading NAS Brands
Some leading consumer and SMB NAS companies include Synology, QNAP, Asustor, Netgear, Seagate and TerraMaster. Enterprise NAS vendors include Dell, HPE, NetApp and Buffalo.
In conclusion, NAS provides versatile file storage and sharing options for home media servers, businesses and power users. Determine your use case, capacity needs and budget to pick the right NAS hardware and software features.
