NAS Network Attached Storage

What is Network Attached Storage (NAS)?

Network-attached storage (NAS) is a data storage device that connects to a computer network and provides data access to multiple network clients. These devices are compiled of one or more hard drives (HDDs - which you may have to purchase separately), which are arranged into customisable storage arrays or RAID arrays. This technology removes the risks and responsibilities of file serving from other servers as you are in control of the whole process. NAS devices can be set-up to be accessed from anywhere in the world securely and do not require any paid subscriptions for this service.

Why do I need a NAS?  

Well, when you have multiple computers working on a single objective, it is important that they can access the same tools and files required to complete the task. Thus, a NAS is a perfect solution as it allows all the computers that are connected to the one network to access the same content from anywhere. Other benefits of network-attached storage over public servers include faster access of data, simplified administration, and straightforward configuration. A NAS system is also superior to the SAN (Storage Area Network) and DAS (Direct-Attached Storage) as it provides the user with a networked solution to both file systems and storage.

How to choose a NAS device?

There are many NAS systems available at Mwave. First you will need to decide on how much storage you require. If you do not require much storage and plan to use it for personal use, a 1 or 2 bay NAS could be perfect for you. If you deal with a lot of data, then a 4 or 6 bay NAS could be good for you. Mwave’s range of NAS systems are available up to 30 bays which are perfect for commercial environments. Some NAS systems can help offload demand from your PC should you need to do demanding tasks such as the ‘QNAP TS-877-1600-8G’ which features an AMD Ryzen 5 1600 with the option of adding a graphics card to assist in rendering or other demanding tasks. You can also choose between a desktop NAS and rack-mount NAS depending on your needs. Other features and specifications such as CPUs, drive bays, connectivity, speed, HDD performance, computer and mobile operating system compatibility and interfaces should be considered when you choose your network attached storage system. Mwave has many NAS devices to choose from including NAS/HDD bundles. We stock NAS systems from leading NAS brands such as QNAP, Synology, Asustor and many more.

New to Network Attached Storage (NAS) and still need assistance? Read our beginner's guide to NAS on our blog.