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What is a NAS and Why You Should Use It?

Are you wondering what a NAS is and if you need one? When it comes to home networks, most people believe that buying a good router is sufficient. But the truth is, whether it’s your home network or office set up, you also need to find an effective and scalable storage solution. And this is where NAS comes in!

Possibly you’re currently using either cloud storage like Dropbox or any local physical device such as an external hard drive for data storage. But there are some convincing reasons to start using Network Attached Storage (NAS). Whether you’re drained of paying monthly cloud service fees or need more storage space than you currently have, using NAS makes sense.

Lately, NAS devices are becoming popular with businesses in many industries because of the benefits it offers. The more you know about NAS, the more you’ll think about ditching the cloud. NAS not only provides an added layer of security but also allows centralized file management. Having said that, let’s find out why network-attached storage (NAS) could make a great addition to your home or small office network. But before that, we need to first understand what exactly NAS is.

What is NAS?

Network-attached storage provides the functionality of the cloud, as well as local storage. It allows users to store large amounts of data while also making it accessible from anywhere. A NAS is a mini-server that connects directly to your computer through a USB cable. The set up consists of hardware, known as a NAS box or NAS unit that contains storage drives, processors, and random-access memory (RAM). The NAS software is deployed on the hardware that allows data storage and file sharing.

A NAS device is connected to a network that allows data storage and retrieval from a central location. The authorized network users get a single access point to all their stored data. It’s like setting up a private cloud with additional benefits such as built-in security, file management, and fault-tolerant capabilities. Users get all the benefits of a public cloud, as well as full control.

 

Why Use a NAS device for Data Storage?

Setting up a NAS can be a better option than using a cloud or a simple external HDD. In addition to expanding your storage space, it can also keep your data secure. Here are some compelling reasons to use a NAS for data storage.

  1. Easy to Setup

Setting up a NAS isn’t overly complicated. You don’t need much tech knowledge to set up the server. You simply need to plug the device in and attach it to your network either wirelessly or with an Ethernet cable. Most NAS units work on a web-based interface that is easy to set up.

  1. More Storage Space

A NAS provides more storage space that is particularly needed by most businesses. As compared to external hard drives, using a NAS can be a better option. NAS can store more data and you don’t even need to carry your drive around with you for file sharing. Instead of transferring your files from one hard drive to another, you can easily get more space inside your laptop or desktop. You can easily find the right NAS for your application as they are available in storage size ranging from hundreds of gigabytes to several terabytes.

  1. Ensure Data Security

The advanced NAS units have built-in RAID features. This means that data is stored across multiple drives and if one drive suddenly fails, it’s easy to get a copy. The best NAS devices such as Synology NAS also have security features like encryption for disk volumes. However, any device connected to the internet is at the risk of outside attacks by cybercriminals. Human error and physical damage could also result in device failure and data loss. In such unfortunate circumstances, it becomes inevitable to seek the assistance of a Synology NAS Data Recovery specialist.

  1. Easy File Sharing

Suppose you’re at home and need to access a document stored on your office desktop. In that case, NAS allows you to easily access those files from any other computer. Modern NAS drives have the option to set up remote access. This is particularly beneficial for businesses where multiple people need access to the data.

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