What Is A NAS Storage? How Does NAS Work?

PAGE CONTENT:

 1. What Is A NAS Storage?

 2. Three Common Types of NAS

 3. How Does NAS Work?

 4. NAS vs. DAS, Which Is Better?

What Is A NAS Storage?

NAS, short for Network-Attached Storage, is a dedicated centralized storage server that combines one or more hard drives, often organized into logical, redundant storage containers known as RAID, enabling multiple users to access and collaborate on data via Ethernet. NAS facilitates faster and more convenient remote access to data across multiple computers or devices.

NAS is specifically designed to handle unstructured data, such as videos, audio files, web pages, text documents, and Microsoft Office files. (Information source: )

Network Attached Storage (NAS) has been in existence since the 1990s as a convenient means to share files among multiple computers. Many individuals and businesses still opt for NAS today due to its security and reliability.

Based on the varying needs of companies or individuals, they opt for different types of NAS. Let's explore the specific classifications of NAS.

Three Common Types of NAS

Based on driver capacity, support, and scalability, NAS can be categorized into three types: enterprise NAS, midmarket NAS, and desktop NAS.

Enterprise NAS is a high-end category designed for businesses requiring substantial data storage. It offers rapid data access and NAS clustering capabilities.

Desktop NAS is an entry-level device. It's an ideal choice for individuals or home use since it has a slower processing speed compared to the enterprise version but comes at a more affordable price.

Midmarket NAS represents a compromise between options A and B. It is ideal for small companies that need only a few hundred terabytes (TB) of data storage.

How Does NAS Work?

NAS operates over a network connection. The image below clearly illustrates how it works.

Multiple devices and NAS (Network Attached Storage) are connected to the same network or WIFI. A network switch or server is utilized to connect these devices with the NAS, enabling the sharing and access of data on the NAS across multiple computers.

NAS allows us to share the same database across multiple devices more efficiently, making work more accessible.

NAS vs. DAS, Which Is Better?

What is DAS? It stands for Direct-Attached Storage, referring to a dedicated server or storage device not connected to a network, essentially the opposite of NAS. A common example of DAS is an internal HDD in a PC. To access data stored in DAS, you need direct access to the physical storage device.

NAS and DAS differ in various aspects. You can refer to the following chart for more detailed information.

Aside from this distinction, DAS is primarily geared towards data storage, whereas NAS is designed to enhance data sharing convenience. They serve different objectives, and the choice should be made based on your specific requirements.

Conclusion

If you're unsure about what NAS storage is or how it functions, you've likely found your answer here. NAS facilitates easier access to a shared database across various devices and users through a network. There are three types of NAS available, catering to distinct storage capacity requirements. Additionally, DAS and NAS have different focuses. If your primary concern is simply saving data, a DAS device would be a more appropriate choice.