Authored by Kumara Velu in Computer Hardware
Published on 01-29-2009
Every time you save a file to your computer, how sure are you that it will remain in your hard disk securely all the time? Modern day hard disks are basically reliable, but you never know. It’s always best to make backups each time you create new files. What if you like to share the same files with others in a small office environment or even at home or you want to access files of others without having to use their computers? The solution for reliable backups and file sharing is a network attached storage device.
Here are frequently asked questions on Network Attached Storage (NAS) Devices.
What is a NAS Device?
It is a disk storage system which different computers in a same environment can have access to. All users can have access to the same data at the same time. Data can also be accessed wirelessly if the NAS device is connected to a wireless router.
What’s the difference between a NAS Device and an external hard disk drive?
A NAS device, unlike an external hard disk, is not plugged into a computer through the USB port.
Do you need a separate powerful computer to operate a NAS device?
No, you don’t need a separate computer system unlike central file servers. The device comes with an operating system built into it. The operating system has low processing and memory requirements.
What are the power needs of a NAS device?
A NAS device consumes less power than a full-sized server.
How does a computer have access to data in a NAS device?
The computer can be configured to have drive-letter access to the NAS device.
Apart from data, what else can be shared on a NAS device?
Client computers linked to the NAS device can share video and audio files through the device’s built-in streaming servers. If you own a media-streaming device, you can hook it up to the NAS device and watch movies on your TV or listen to music on your hi-fi without having to turn on your computer.
Can I back up the data in a NAS device?
Yes, you can attach USB storage devices like external hard disk drives through the USB ports provided. You have the option to make scheduled backups.
What if the NAS device runs out of disk space?
You can attach more disks to the device to increase storage capacity.
What are the other advantages of NAS over conventional file servers?
The cost of implementing a NAS device is lower than putting into place a conventional file server. It has also better security options and is more reliable, meaning it has less downtime. A NAS device can be rebooted much faster than a conventional file server in the event of a problem. It is also much easier to administer and use.
