By If you’re in the market for a NAS, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a storage solution that allows you to store files and data on a central server that can be accessed by computers on your network. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 things that you need to know before purchasing a NAS!
NAS for SMBs
NAS is a great storage solution for small businesses and home offices. NAS devices are usually much cheaper than SAN devices, and they offer many of the same features. NAS devices can be used to store files, share files with other computers on your network, and even stream media to other devices!
Consider the Storage
When choosing a NAS device, you need to consider the amount of storage that you need. NAS devices come in a variety of sizes, from a few hundred gigabytes to several terabytes. You also need to decide which features are important to you. Some NAS devices come with built-in media servers, while others do not.
Once you have decided on the size and features that you need, you can start looking at different NAS devices. There are a variety of NAS devices on the market, from simple single-drive devices to more complex multi-drive systems.
Choose the Right Operating System
Your NAS will need to have an operating system installed in order to function. The most popular NAS operating system is FreeNAS. FreeNAS is a free and open source NAS operating system that can be installed on nearly any hardware platform. If you are looking for a more robust NAS operating system, you may want to consider paying for a commercial NAS OS, such as Synology DSM or QNAP TS-OS or even StoneFly NAS.
Install the OS
Once you have chosen your NAS operating system, you will need to install it on your NAS device. This can be done using a USB flash drive, an optical disc, or even over the network!
Configure Your NAS
After your NAS is up and running, you will need to configure it. This includes setting up users, shares, and permissions. You will also need to decide how you want to access your NAS. You can access your NAS via the web interface, a mobile app, or even a desktop application.
Backup Your Data
NAS is a great way to store your data, but it is not a replacement for backups. You should always have at least two copies of your data: one on your NAS and one off-site. You can back up your NAS data to an external hard drive, a cloud storage service, or even another NAS device!
Conclusion
NAS devices are becoming more and more popular as the price of storage continues to drop. NAS is a great storage solution for small businesses and home offices. NAS devices are usually much cheaper than SAN devices, and they offer many of the same features. NAS devices can be used to store files, share files with other computers on your network, and even stream media to other devices!
When choosing a NAS device, you need to consider the amount of storage that you need. NAS solutions come in a variety of sizes, from a few hundred gigabytes to several terabytes. You also need to decide which features are important to you. Some NAS devices come with built-in media servers, while others do not. So, make sure you make a calculated decision.
