ISNM2008

Network Attached Storage

If your one of those that are not technologically updated, network attached storage (NAS) may be new to your ears. But if you ever encountered having to share data among multiple computer users, I’m pretty sure you used a network attached storage device.

This device, commonly referred to as NAS, is a file server that is mainly used for data storage and sharing. It’s a device that provides additional file storage space, in which, this file can be accessed by several other computers simultaneously. NAS has been gaining popularity in its industry ever since it came out in the market.

Benefits of Network Attached Storage

Several factors made Network Attached Storage a rising technology in terms of data storing and sharing:

• NAS offers a larger capacity of data storage. NAS provides additional storage space to all devices connected to it. We don’t have to worry of losing some files just to give way to a new one. NAS can hold data far more than the average USB we are all used to.

Another thing, with its large room for data, data transfer is easier since we don’t have to insert and remove several different storage devices in order to access data, this is especially important for people who need to get hold of large amount of files.

• NAS offers a convenient way of data sharing and transfer. Several computers can access files stored in network attached devices all at one time, thus easy sharing of data is achieved. This is a cost and time effective. We don’t need to move from one computer to another just to share data since NAS makes it possible to access these data in your own device.

• NAS can also serve as a back-up. Crashing serves, losing files – these instances are no longer new to us. Most, if not all, have already experience this. With this, NAS can act as a back-up. Whenever we are trapped in sticky situations mentioned above, NAS can be our saving grace. We don’t have to worry about losing a single file, just as long these files are already stored at your NAS device.

As it is useful, network attached storage devices are being used in all kinds of environments – from small environments, like households, to bigger ones, like offices and organizations.

Using NAS At Home

NAS is easy enough to install and use that you can actually put one in your home. Using NAS in households are beginning to be more common, as people discover and see its benefits. Files, like music, pictures, and important documents, can be simultaneously shared among family members.

The whole family can browse through pictures all the same time, or you can share music with another member of the family. Important family related documents can also be shared in no time since it is easily accessed in NAS. Even internet at home can be shared through this device, you can plug in a router, and internet is available for all internet-able devices.

There are several NAS systems designed for use at home like Synology DS211j and DS411j.

Using NAS In the Office

For larger organization, like small business offices, all features of NAS are being wholly utilized. All benefits of using one are needed by companies. NAS provides a large capacity for data storage that can accommodate the massive amount of documents and files companies need and accumulate for daily business and operations.

With network attached storage , data sharing is made easier within offices and organizations as multiple computers can access any data simultaneously. This eliminates the need to manually share through going from computer to computer, which in turn saves time and effort.

NAS also serves as a back-up server to important files critical to the companies’ everyday operations. With this, NAS helps ensuring that company operations are continuous and smooth-flowing.

Storage systems used in office envirinment usually have at least 4 bays. The entry level small office NAS examples are Synology DS411, the next level being fast 5 disk systems like Drobo FS 5-bay Gbe Storage Array or Synology DS1511+

Today, there is already a wide range of NAS devices available in the market you can choose from. There is surely a network attached storage device that will be most fitted to your needs.

FAQ

What is the capacity range of a NAS device?

For the NAS devices we have reviewed in our site the capacity ranges from 8TB (2x 4TB HDD) in Synology DS212j up to 20TB  (5x 4TB HDD) in DS1511+ system.