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What is DAS? How does it work?
DAS, which stands for Direct Attached Storage, is a storage system that is connected directly to a computer, server, or workstation without the need for a network.
The term direct-attached storage refers to the fact that it is not connected to a network via Ethernet or Fibre Channel, and does not use network appliances such as hubs, switches, or routers to provide storage.
As the name implies, it is directly attached to a computer or server. Its data can be accessed only by devices connected to it, and the device controlling it is not connected to a network. If a computer on a network wants to access data on a DAS, it must communicate with the computer to which the DAS is attached.
Different Types of DAS
Based on its location, DAS can be categorized into two types: embedded DAS and external DAS.
Internal Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) refers to storage devices connected directly to a computer or server via a serial or parallel bus. A common example of internal DAS is the built-in hard disk drive (HDD) in a computer. In fact, every computer has at least one form of internal DAS, such as a traditional HDD connected through a SATA interface or a faster SSD.
An external DAS is located outside of the computer enclosure and connects to a server or workstation through a USB, eSATA, SAS, or SCSI interface. Typical examples include an external hard disk drive or a disk enclosure that allows for multiple devices to be connected.
DAS can take many forms, depending on the connected devices, including SSDs, hard disk drives, and optical devices such as CDs, DVDs, and tape storage.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Direct Attached Storage (DAS)
Because users can access the data without going through a network, DAS is widely used for its secure data-protection features, which greatly reduce the risk of data leakage. DAS also has the advantages of being less expensive and simpler than NAS.
However, this does not mean that DAS is without its drawbacks. Here, we list the advantages and disadvantages of DAS in full to help you make a better choice for your data storage system.
Advantages
- Better performance for users;
- Lower cost than NAS and SAN;
- Easy to use, with no need for IT professionals, making it ideal for small business owners;
- Low maintenance costs.
Disadvantages
- - Limited scalability with DAS
- No central management or backup capabilities
- Not easily shared
- Inconvenient to migrate if a drive fails
- Difficult to upgrade.
Conclusions
By now, you should have a good understanding of what DAS is, how it works, and its pros and cons. DAS plays a significant role in expanding network connectivity. However, it's not the only option out there. NAS and SAN are also available for data connections, each with different data transfer mechanisms. If you're unsure which is right for you, refer to our DAS vs NAS or NAS vs SAN comparisons – a great way to help you make the right choice.