Network Attached Storage

A dedicated data storage technology that can be connected directly to a computer network to provide centralized data access and storage to heterogeneous network clients. NAS systems usually contain one or more hard disks, often arranged into logical, redundant storage containers or RAID arrays, as do traditional file servers. NAS removes the responsibility of file serving from other servers on the network and can be deployed via commercial embedded units or via standard computers running NAS software. NAS uses file-based protocols such as NFS (popular on UNIX systems) or Common Internet File System (CIFS) (used with MS Windows systems). Contrast NAS's file-based approach and use of well-understood protocols with storage area network (SAN) which uses a block-based approach and generally runs over proprietary protocols. Minimal-functionality or stripped-down operating systems are used on NAS computers or devices which run the protocols and file applications that provide the NAS functionality.

Need more information on Network Attached Storage?