Contents
As more devices, users, and applications are added to the enterprise networks, more data is generated, pushing IT experts to rethink data storage solutions. Choosing the right storage system for your data can be daunting, especially when there are several options to choose from. A rule of thumb is to keenly consider the cost factors, storage capacity needs, and your network’s scalability requirements.
The three popular storage architectures are storage area networks (SAN), direct-attached storage (DAS), and network-attached storage (NAS). We’ve discussed more about these systems, including their advantages and how to choose the right one for unique applications.
What is Network-Attached Storage
Network-attached storage or NAS is a file-level storage system that makes it easy for clients to access data in a shared network. This storage architecture offers a single access point for stored data with built-in management, security, and fault-tolerant capabilities. And like any other storage system, NAS contains hardware, software, and protocols.
- Hardware – This is commonly referred to as a NAS box/Head, a NAS server, or a NAS unit. It’s simply a server with storage disks or drives, RAM, and processors.
- Software – Unlike general-purpose server storage, NAS has its own software installed on a lightweight operating system, usually embedded in the hardware. The software is also designed to send and receive only two types of requests, i.e., data storage and file sharing.
- Protocols – These are classified into two types: transmission control protocol (TCP) and internet protocol (IP). TCP combines files into smaller packets before these compressed data sets are sent across networks via IPs. The latter is more like channels that allow data to travel from one network to another. Files transferred across protocols are formatted as NFS (network file systems), SMB (server message blocks), and AFP (apple filing protocol).
NAS vs. SAN vs. DAS
Unlike NAS, which is a file-storage system, a storage area network (SAN) offers block storage, while direct-attached storage (DAS) is attached to a single computer; hence the stored data cannot be easily accessed by other devices.
SAN has high input/output processing speeds and low latency, making it a great storage option for high-speed transactional environments like high-traffic e-commerce websites and database management systems. They are also great for virtualized environments that require large-scale and high-performance deployments.
On the other hand, DAS is a simple storage solution that doesn’t automatically connect to a network unless further access settings and configurations are enabled. This storage is suited for small businesses that need cost-effective storage for everyday use on individual computers/systems.
Benefits of Network-Attached Storage
Now that you know the differences between SAN, NAS, and DAS storage, let’s look at the key benefits of deploying network-attached storage in your organization.
- Easy setup – NAS architecture comes as preinstalled appliances or with simplified scripts that allow for a quick and convenient setup.
- Scale-out capacity – you can easily add more storage capacity to NAS architecture without replacing or upgrading existing servers. This can also be done without shutting down the entire network.
- Performance – as a file-specific storage solution, NAS offers the much-needed speed and convenience when sharing files in highly-demanding applications, such as multimedia storage or big data.
- Accessibility – Any device in the network can access the network-attached storage. NAS can also be formatted to support different disk types, such as replicated disks or erasure coding to safeguard data integrity.
The Bottom Line
When choosing a data storage solution, you always want to consider your current and future network/system requirements. The other key aspects to keep in mind are the need for multi-user access, remote network access, your budget, and the availability of expert IT services. Where possible, seek professional assistance before picking a type of enterprise storage system.
