How To Pick Network Attached Storage
Network attached storage is a way of storing data that allows multiple users on the same network to access the stored data. This makes it a great device for companies that need to share information between many different users, departments, and even locations.
These devices hold multiple storage disks and are connected to the network either by wifi or an ethernet cable. This allows multiple devices on the network to access the storage at the same time.
Before purchasing NAS there are 4 factors to consider:
- Device capacity
- Method of connectivity
- Ease of use
- Data backup
The rest of this article will go over the importance of each of these features as well as what you’ll want to look for depending on your needs.
1. Capacity
The first factor you’ll need to consider when picking your network-attached storage is its total storage capacity.
Since network-attached storage is typically shared between multiple users, it is going to need a larger storage capacity than your average local hard drive.
NAS units will have multiple slots, in each of these slots you can insert a hard drive. The total storage capacity of the NAS unit will depend on the number of slots in the device. NAS units can generally have anywhere from one slot to 16 slots. The more hard drives you plug in, the more storage space you will have.
To figure out how much storage space you need, you’ll need to consider the total size of your network and how much data you are saving daily. Once you have that number figured out, you’ll know how many slots your network attached storage will need to have.
2. Connectivity
Traditionally, users were given access to network attached storage via an ethernet cable. While this works, it becomes complicated the more people need to access the storage at the same time.
Nowadays, many NAS units are wifi equipped. This makes it so that users can access the storage wirelessly which makes things far easier when multiple users are connected at the same time.
The one downside to a wifi equipped unit is that the data won’t be as secure. If your company regularly deals with confidential data, it may be best to stick with a unit that uses physical connections to access the data.
3. Ease of Use
A very important factor to consider when purchasing your network attached storage is how easy the device is to set up and maintain. This is especially important if you are an individual or a small company.
If the device is very complicated, you’ll need to hire an IT professional to come in, set up the machine, and maintain it. While this is not as big of a deal for large corporations, the cost can be significant for smaller companies.
When looking for NAS, make sure that the device is simple to set up and maintain, that way you won’t constantly have to be bringing professionals in to perform maintenance.
4. Data Backup
The last feature you’ll need to look at before making your decision is data backup. The last thing that you want to happen when you are working on a shared network is a crash that loses all of your data. That is why it’s important to pick a device that offers continuous data backup.
Some NAS devices can be backed up to the cloud which is great because it offers continuous protection against data loss. However, this could also pose security risks.
Another option is to connect your NAS to an external drive and perform scheduled backups. However, this will require more hands on work and you run the risk of losing a small amount of data if the device crashes in between backups.
Both forms of backup work, the one that you choose will depend on the type of data that your company is working with and how much of a security risk cloud storage poses.
Key Takeaways
Network Attached Storage is a centralized device that holds several hard drives to create network wide storage. Multiple users can access the data stored on NAS which makes it a great option for sharing information between multiple departments in a business.
Before purchasing network-attached storage, there are four factors that you’ll need to consider, drive capacity, connectivity, ease of use, and data backup options.
