Tired Of Replacing An External Hard Drive? Do You Often Need To Access Data From Multiple Machines On A Network At The Same Time?
So it’s probably time to get help from NAS. Network-connected storage is a centralized storage service for local area networks. NAS stands for Network Attached Storage.
NAS devices are called NAS drives or NAS systems. Other machines on the web can connect to the NAS to read and write data as if the drive were connected directly to their computer. Therefore, data is stored on a NAS and can be accessed over a network.
Networked storage space
NAS devices make it easy to share storage space between entire networks of computers and other devices. NAS systems have many applications, including sharing documents, sharing group projects, playing media such as music and video, and backing up local machines.
Networked storage is scalable, allowing you to add or replace drives without sacrificing space. Many solutions support this. Some systems use multiple drives in RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) for redundancy or performance; others rely on a single drive for smaller operations.
Buy or build your own NAS.
Many wireless routers have NAS performance. You can get proprietary NAS systems in various forms, such as simple, raw enclosures that require purchasing a hard drive or complete products that connect directly to the router and require minimal configuration. The now-discontinued Apple Airport Time Capsule has room for a hard drive and is a great time to back up your computer.
Routers like the TP-Link AC1750 have a USB connector on the back, allowing you to share the drive’s contents over the network. However, none of these solutions is as efficient or powerful as a dedicated NAS device.
You can also build a NAS from an old computer or a Raspberry Pi. FreeNAS is a great way to repurpose old computers and underutilized hardware for network-connected storage. If you are looking for troublesome projects, you can do the same with Raspbian Pi with Raspberry Pi.
As you read, NAS is a good option if you need a centralized local storage hub accessible to anyone on the network. NAS is like your fast, personalized cloud storage service at no cost.
FAQ
What is network-connected storage (NAS)?
Network-attached storage (NAS) is a specialized storage device connected to a network that allows multiple authorized users and devices to store, retrieve, and share files centrally.
How does NAS differ from direct attached storage?
Unlike direct attached storage (DAS) that connects to a single computer, NAS connects via Ethernet or Wi-Fi to serve files over the network to many clients simultaneously.
Why do businesses and individuals use NAS?
NAS provides centralized file access, remote accessibility, scalability, data redundancy, backup capabilities, and easier sharing for teams or multi-device environments.