NAS / Unified Storage

Network Attached Storage Devices

JetStor offers storage solutions to fit your needs. If you need to access their data from multiple locations by multiple users, a network-attached storage device is one solution, providing access to multiple users simultaneously. JetStor offers stable and secure access to your information with high-performance network-attached storage (NAS) solutions.

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What is a NAS Device?

In the past, you hooked up an external hard drive, ZIP drive, or thumb drive to your devices for access in other locations. As remote work becomes more popular and collaborative work environments thrive, external drives no longer work.

Instead of connecting a device directly to your computer, tablet, or laptop, network-attached storage (NAS) devices connect directly to your network, usually through a router or a network storage adapter. These devices are accessed centrally by multiple users, on more than one device, in different locations, both on-premises and remotely, all simultaneously. NAS boxes can be configured to allow permissions for multiple users, eliminating the need to have the device on hand to share files and collaborate.

Advantages of Networked Storages Devices

If you want a predictable budget, file storage that is flexible and scalable, or improved efficiency, explore NAS devices. Using a desktop NAS system has some benefits. These devices are like a set of internal network storage servers, with a processor and operating system. Most NAS devices house two to five hard drives within a NAS tower. This type of network storage array offers mirroring capabilities, providing redundancy for your files in the event of a disk or drive failure. These arrays can be configured to automate backups to other devices like a tape or a backup server. They can also deduplicate data, take snapshots, or reproduce data to another NAS device or the cloud. This level of protection makes NAS devices a safe and reliable solution.

NAS can also be easy on an IT budget. Depending on the number of hard drives, a basic setup will cost between $750 and $1000, That sounds like a lot, but networked storage devices cost less than other options like entry-level SAN. Unless your system is complex, NAS can be easy to manage, so an onsite technician may not be needed, saving money as well.

Centralization is also a benefit. Housing files centrally provide network access for users and clients. This centralization also assists with data recovery and security features should a crisis occur.

NAS systems are versatile. They support a wide range of applications and are a good option for storing unstructured data, such as spreadsheets, documents, images, and other media, all typical types of business data.

Disadvantages of Network-Attached Storage Devices

While accessibility can be a benefit, it can also be a disadvantage when dealing with large numbers of users, The more users, the more storage is needed. This causes interference with other traffic on the LAN, congestion, and reduced performance speeds. NAS systems also don’t perform as well as SAN on a larger scale. With more users, additional hard drives may be needed, increasing both complexity and cost. This further impacts budgets, as may require dedicated technicians to maintain and troubleshoot.

While NAS is a good option for unstructured file storage, environments that require other types of storage or structured environments may not work well with NAS. Some uses require different protocols to be in place or different tasks may make performance issues worse. Traffic occurring on the LAN slows the system, particularly if many users, are interacting with the files during peak times. NAS devices are like having your own personal cloud! They are a solid presence, and many NAS options are available.

If you are in the market for cost-effective storage solutions like NAS, reach out to AC&NC. We are here to help you find the NAS that works for you!

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