#nas servers

What is NAS?

A Network Attached Storage (NAS) system is a high-capacity storage device connected to a network, allowing authorized users to store and retrieve data from a centralized location. Essentially, a NAS device is a container for hard drives with built-in intelligence for file sharing and authorization.

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Why Do Organizations Use NAS?

NAS systems are versatile, flexible, and scalable. They can be pre-populated with disks or diskless, and typically include USB ports for connecting printers or external storage drives, offering additional options for all connected users.

Do You Need IT to Manage NAS?

Managing a NAS device is straightforward and can be done through a browser-based utility. You might not need an IT professional on standby, making it an excellent choice for small businesses. NAS devices can also be accessed remotely, serving as a private Dropbox or Google Drive with much more storage and no monthly cost.

How Does a NAS Device Work?

A NAS device runs on any platform or operating system, functioning as a bundle of hardware and software with an embedded operating system. It consists of a network interface card (NIC), a storage controller, drive bays, and a power supply, and can contain two to five hard drives for redundancy and fast file access.

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Benefits of Using NAS

NAS systems are becoming popular for businesses due to their effectiveness, scalability, and low-cost storage solutions. Here are some key benefits:

Speed: NAS can store and transfer files quickly, with rapid backup for incremental changes.

Control: Companies maintain total control over their data without relying on third-party storage.

Ease of Use: NAS devices are user-friendly and simple to manage, often featuring streamlined setup scripts.

Reliable Access: Positioned on a dedicated network, NAS provides uninterrupted access to data, even during internet service interruptions.

NAS vs. SAN Protocols

NAS and Storage Area Networks (SANs) are both networked storage solutions but differ in their approaches:

NAS: A single-storage device serving files over Ethernet, ideal for unstructured data like audio, video, and documents. Uses TCP/IP for data transfer.

SAN: A complex network of devices handling block storage inside databases, ideal for structured data. Uses FC protocol or Ethernet-based ISCSI for storage networks.

From a user perspective, NAS appears as a single device managing files, while SAN presents as a disk to the client OS, housing critical databases.

Why Small Businesses Use NAS

Small businesses require low-cost, scalable storage with easy operation and robust data backup. Here are some examples:

Telecom: A leading telecom operator needed an easily managed backup solution within their budget to handle internal data generated by employees. They chose NAS for its low cost and high-capacity file-sharing capabilities.

Banking: A cloud-based platform provider for the mortgage finance industry needed a scalable storage solution for 30 billion small files. They found NAS efficient and cost-saving, allowing more focus on customer service.

Criminal Justice: A national prison system needed reliable storage for high-definition video surveillance. They implemented a NAS solution with larger capacity and room for expansion, meeting their preservation requirements.

HPE NAS Solutions

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) offers secure, tailored, and economically feasible NAS solutions for businesses of all sizes. Their platforms are resilient and self-protecting, with features like data encryption, sophisticated access controls, file access auditing, and deletion prevention to reduce security risks.

HPE StoreEasy: Designed to maximize capacity, simplify management, and scale as businesses grow, supporting tens of thousands of concurrent users and ensuring data security with built-in encryption.

HPE Apollo 4000 Systems: Intelligent data storage servers that offer accelerated performance, end-to-end security, and predictive analytics for storage-intensive workloads.

Conclusion

NAS systems provide an efficient, scalable, and cost-effective storage solution for businesses of all sizes. With their ease of use, speed, control, and reliable access, NAS devices are ideal for managing growing volumes of data. HPE’s NAS solutions offer secure and tailored options to meet diverse business needs, making them a perfect choice for modern data storage requirements.