Network Attached Storage (NAS)
A Network-attached storage (NAS) is a server that is dedicated to nothing more than file sharing on a network. NAS does not provide any of the activities that a server in a server-centric system typically provides, such as e-mail, authentication or file management. It allows more hard disk storage space to be added to a network that already utilizes servers without shutting them down for maintenance and upgrades. With a NAS device, storage is not a vital part of the server. The server handles all of the processing of data but a NAS device delivers the data to the user. It does not need to be located within the server, but can exist anywhere in a LAN and can be made up of multiple NAS devices. (QuinStreet Enterprise , 2014)
The speed of the network adapter on a NAS device can vary, depending on which one you buy. Your typical NAS device can run from 10 Mbps all the way to 1000 Mbps. The capacity range for a NAS device can range from a 1 TB all the way to 20 TB. This is 20,480 MB worth of data storage! With this large amount of data storage, you could store all your music, pictures, and videos in one device. (Best Buy, 2014)
NAS Devices come with a built in fault tolerance called a RAID. RAID stands for “redundant array of independent disks”. With the help of RAID, you can tap into all of the storages on a NAS device all at once. A RAID array not only allows you to combine physical drives into a single storage unit, it also reserves a part of this combined space to create what’s known as a parity bit. (Murphy, 2011) A parity bit is a bit that is added to a block of data for error detection. It gives the data either an odd or even parity, which is used to confirm the truth of the data. (Tech Terms Computer Dictionary, 2011)
Management features are also available for NAS devices. One feature is remote access, which allows you to access your NAS device by a smartphone, computer, and other portable devices by using a web browser. They can also be used to automatically or manually backup any or all of the computers in your home network. Many NAS devices are compatible with your current backup programs. If you don’t have a backup program, research the backup software that comes with the NAS device. Many NAS devices also have a USB connection so you can connect a USB printer or scanner. Connecting a printer to a NAS turns it into a network printer that can be shared