
Networking: NAS devices are connected to a computer or other device through the network using an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.

The hardware acts as a server containing 2-5 storage drives, a CPU, and memory.

Hardware: NAS comprises dedicated hardware that can be referred to as a NAS box, unit, server, or head.NAS devices have several components that allow them to be used in a variety of ways: The box acts as a single interface between the NAS and the computer clients.Ĭapacity can be increased by attaching several drives to the system and authorizing clients to connect to the NAS head, which appears as a single storage entity. It consists of a network interface card (NIC), a storage controller, a drive bay for two to five drives, and a power supply. NAS has a single hardware device known as a ‘box’ or ‘head’, which is assigned an IP address and can run on any platform or operating system. NAS can be made up of multiple networked NAS devices, and can be attached to a local area network (LAN) or an ethernet network with an assigned IP address. How does a NAS work?Ī NAS solution stores data as files and can be used as a replacement for traditional file servers. NAS devices can be connected to a local business or home network using an ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi-enabled network to allow authorized users to connect remotely. Devices do not carry a keyboard or display, but are configured and managed through a web-based interface on a connected machine. NAS devices come with a processor and operating system, as well as applications for managing access to files. Network-attached storage (NAS) is so-called because it connects to and is accessed through a network, not directly from a user’s computer. Network-attached storage also provides benefits similar to the public cloud, including speed and lower costs, but with more control over your storage. When connected to a wireless router, it can facilitate remote access for distributed teams to access files from any location and on any authorized device.Ī NAS can act as a private cloud, allowing data to be accessed remotely on the network or over the internet, through cloud interfaces.

NAS enables users to collaborate and share data more effectively. NAS appliances allow you to expand storage capacity by adding more or larger capacity disks and can also be clustered together to scale out storage. Network-attached storage typically handles unstructured data, such as documents, video and audio files, medical images, and text files.īefore NAS technology was available, organizations had to build, configure, and manage multiple file servers. Network-attached storage systems are flexible and scalable, allowing you to add additional storage when necessary. NAS is an easy-to-use storage system with high storage capacity and low costs. Users can access NAS using a standard ethernet connection via a router or a network switch. Networked Attached Storage (NAS) is a dedicated file storage system that allows multiple users and devices on the local area network (LAN) to access data from a centralized storage area on the network.
