Get a FREE fully-working copy of Steganos Security Suite 7 (worth £49.99) when you sign up to the Practical PC Newsletter. What is NAS (Network Attached Storage)?
If you have more than one computer and need something more than a single external USB drive, NAS (Network Attached Storage) could be the way to go. Ian Waugh networks…
Let's start with the meaning of NAS (Network Attached Storage). When discussing networks, technically, you might talk about clients and servers. In more modern parlance, and certainly for our purposes here, we're essentially talking about a hard drive (or drives) connected to a network and which enables you to share files between any computer on the network. It's a sort of external hard drive for your network. Technically, it may be regarded as a server dedicated to file sharing.
A NAS device shares many similarities with a PC - it'll have processor and RAM, and many use Linux.
NAS devices have been around for a few years but they have generally been expensive and aimed at businesses. However, many households now have more than one computer, and more people are storing music, photos and video files on them, so the need for increased storage and file sharing has increased dramatically. Fortunately, we are now seeing affordable NAS devices aimed at home and small business users.
A NAS drive will usually connect to the network via Ethernet. There have been wireless NAS devices but the current speed of 802.11b/g is often too slow for shifting large amounts of data quickly. When draft n arrives this may change. Many offer a Gigabit Ethernet connection.
Most NAS systems look like a large external hard drive. Many feature a USB connection which can often be used to share a printer between computers, offering an alternative to a network printer. You may also be able to connect a USB drive or flash drive.
Although many NAS devices contain just a single disc drive, many now incorporate two or more drives allowing you to set up a RAID system. This can increase data security which is important if you use it for backup. (See What is EIDE RAID)
Communication with a NAS device to set it up and change settings is usually via custom software although most have a web interface which can be accessed with a browser. Operation can seem quite complex, certainly compared to installing a single external USB drive, for example, but for basic use, setup is usually straightforward, and a good manual will help you through more advanced settings.
As a server, many NAS devices will connect equally well to PC and Mac systems. Some offer FTP access and allow users to access their files from an internet connection anywhere in the world.
As the number of computers in homes increase and as people want to store more and more media files, a central file storage system is the obvious choice. Add backup facilities and the ability of the unit to network a USB printer, for example, and NAS device not only looks tempting but essential.
Here are reviews of some NAS devices we've looked at:
