What Is Network Attached Storage (NAS)? Key Benefits and How to Get Started

I once had a problem. Some might even call it an addiction. Like paperweights littered all over my desk, my collection of external hard drives was becoming overwhelming. But I needed them. For my decades-long backlog of photos. For my repository of movies and music. For work files and all the college projects I can’t bring myself to delete.

It was a constant juggling act. I called it organization, but in reality, this system only made my life more complicated — and it made my files less accessible from outside my home. Then I learned about Network Attached Storage.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a form of file storage that uses dedicated storage devices connected to, and accessible through, an entire computer network instead of just one computer.

With NAS, you can access all files from any computer on the network while also tapping into the network from off-site.

I can’t tell you how much Network Attached Storage has improved the organization in my work and personal life. In this article, I’ll explain how NAS works and walk you through how to pick the right NAS device for your needs.

As a network-oriented storage system, Network Attached Storage is a file-level solution that’s both centralized and locally situated yet still accessible remotely — as long as you’re able to connect to the network.

NAS often uses multiple storage devices placed in one physical area. It also supports multiple users and devices connecting to the storage.

I like to compare Network Attached Storage to a cloud storage solution like Google Drive or Dropbox, except that it’s powered by a local, specialized server in your building.

To give you a better idea of how NAS works, here’s how it compares to other storage types:

• Cloud storage vs. NAS: Cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox) offers improved scalability and smoother remote access (no need to connect to a specific network), but NAS often wins when it comes to internet connectivity, privacy, and performance. That’s because, with NAS, you’re working with a local drive that’s always on.
• Direct-attached storage (DAS) vs. NAS: A direct-attached storage setup connects you to an individual server instead of an entire network with multiple servers and storage units. It has the benefits of privacy, localization, and connectivity, but NAS provides greater scalability and sharing potential.
• Storage Area Network (SAN) vs. NAS: A SAN offers block-level storage for immediate access to raw storage. It’s great for databases and high-performance applications. NAS operates on the file level, making it better for file sharing. It’s also cost-effective for small to midsized operations.

I’ve found that Network Attached Storage excels in its ease of use and centralized management configuration. I like it best for small and mid-sized businesses or, as I’ve made it clear from my affinity for NAS, for personal use in your home.

Network Attached Storage works by bringing together multiple elements — including networking, storage, and computing components — into one device that’s available for multiple users over the network.

Physical components of NAS include:

• CPU: Handles everything from running the NAS operating system to reading and writing files.
• Network interface: Links your NAS to the local network.
• Hard drives: Stores all files using redundancy via RAID.

Here’s how NAS establishes a network connection:

1. You connect the NAS via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable to your local network.
2. The NAS receives an IP address for identification on the network.
3. When you, or any user with access to the network, want to connect to the NAS, you simply use file-sharing protocols like NFS or SMB.

Along with knowing about the physical components, I find it helpful to learn about the operating system (OS) and other user interfaces that help you use a NAS to its full potential.

Besides NAS running a special, optimized OS for network and server operations, you can expect a web-based interface for everything from file management to NAS configuration.

Whenever I use my NAS at home, I take for granted how convenient it is to centralize all of my storage and have a file sharing and remote collaboration solution right in my house.

And I particularly enjoy the quick media streaming from just about any smart TV in my home. There are other key benefits to a NAS, too!

Centralized Storage

Yes, external hard drives have their purpose, but why not bring them together into one, more accessible device? With NAS, all your files get stored in one location.

Another advantage of this centralized storage is that multiple users can tap into that storage without moving to another machine. One device sits in a closet somewhere with a NAS.

You don’t have to attach it to your computer. Heck, you don’t even have to see it. It’s just always sitting there, running in the background for you to access through your network.

Data Backup and Recovery

Any good NAS device comes with robust features for automated data backups and recovery.

For my NAS, I’m able to set weekly or monthly backups on a separate external hard drive for redundancy.

With RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), your NAS runs on multiple disks. They’re independent of each other, so there’s no need to worry about one damaged disk affecting the others.

This setup increases your protection against data loss while providing a high-performance, scalable backup solution.

And, of course, you can recover your backups whenever needed.

File Sharing and Collaboration

As I mentioned before, NAS functions similarly to a cloud storage solution, except that it’s secured in a local environment and protected within your network.

Regardless, you’re able to connect to the NAS, upload files, and allow others to download those files from their devices.

You might also edit an item, like a Word document, on the NAS. After that, another person can see your changes, making for a sound collaboration environment.

I like this collaboration if you have remote team members, if you’re a freelancer, or if you ever need to securely share files with other people. It’s definitely easier and more secure than sending files via email.

Media Streaming and Home Use

I still use streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Yet, there’s something to be said about the control and freedom you receive from Network Attached Storage for media streaming in your home.

The idea is to use NAS as a home media server. I like the configuration because it lets me centralize all the music, TV shows, and movies I’ve bought in the past.

NAS systems, when combined with software like DLNA or Plex, organize your media, too. You get a user-friendly interface for your entire family to access movies and shows on any device on your network.

Besides allowing you to actually own your content — as opposed to renting it from places like Netflix — a NAS configuration helps save storage on your personal devices with its centralization.

I’ve found that NAS has some disadvantages. Keep in mind that you can overcome some of these disadvantages. Not the cost, necessarily, but it’s always possible to work through the complexities and prevent data loss.

• Initial cost: My first NAS configuration cost about $600 for the hardware — NAS device and hard drives — along with the costs of Ethernet cables and Plex. And that’s on the lower end. I’d expect to pay anywhere from $300 for a basic setup to $3,000+ for an advanced configuration.
• Complexity for novice users: I learned that I need knowledge about networking, file sharing protocols, and IP addressing when setting up my first NAS. There’s also management and troubleshooting. The easiest way to level the learning curve is to use a user-friendly interface like Plex.
• Potential for data loss if not configured with redundancy: The last thing you want is to spend all that money and time only to lose your home media collection or valuable business files. If you skip out on redundancy (multiple backup servers using RAID), then you’re risking everything on the NAS.

The good news is that you can avoid the threat of data loss with a redundant setup. As for complexity, I recommend having your IT team install the NAS if using it for business.

For home use, I try my best to stick with a user-friendly brand (QNAP and Synology come to mind) and begin your journey with a basic starter model with two bays.

My implementation of Network Attached Storage assists in both my personal and business lives. There are several common use cases, especially when we’re talking about replacing standard external hard drives or cloud storage systems.

Personal Use

As a user of NAS in my personal life, it’s important to me to share just how much I’ve enjoyed my NAS configuration. It brings together all those movies and music files I had stored on a hard drive. It also allowed me to put much of my old DVD collection into a more digital format.

Here are the main ways I like to use my NAS at home:

• Storing media libraries.
• Sharing files across home devices.
• Accessing media libraries remotely or from any device in my home.
• Backing up family photos and videos.
• Maintaining a secure space for all sensitive personal documentation.

To make things more user-friendly, I highly recommend investing in an introductory-level NAS. It’s also wise to consider a user-friendly interface like Plex for media streaming.

Small Businesses

Small businesses can perhaps take advantage of Network Attached Storage even more than the average home user. That’s because NAS systems are often far less expensive than other solutions when creating data storage that’s centralized.

For my own small business, I’ve enjoyed features like remote file access, file sharing, and document collaboration.

Not only that, but I’ve seen NAS systems designed specifically for small businesses. They come with special features for customer relationship management, project organization, and productivity.

Large Enterprises

Running a large enterprise often requires storing large volumes of data. That’s why it’s essential for enterprises to consider Network Attached Storage.

A solid configuration can give quick access to shared files. It also allows you to create a private cloud without having to pay a subscription for something like Google Drive.

Creative Professionals

My favorite use case of Network Attached Storage involves creative professionals. This includes photographers, filmmakers, online marketers, and anyone who works with large photo and video files.

They could all benefit from a well-optimized NAS. All of these professions have to mess with full hard drives and slow load times thanks to large media files. A NAS mitigates these issues.

The idea is to store all large multimedia files on a NAS device. This way, instead of storing photos, videos, and music on a computer’s hard drive (which will inevitably fill up and slow down your device), you’re putting everything on a centralized, high-performance storage unit that’s easily accessible remotely while in your home or office.

Not only that, but you can take advantage of automatic backups, video transcoding, and integrations with popular video or photo editing software.

When I decided to add Network Attached Storage in my home, I knew there were several factors to research. Now that I know the key factors and features to look for, I’d like to share them with you.

Storage Capacity and Expandability

Storage has always been my primary concern when hunting for the perfect NAS device. For business and personal use, I’d argue that adequate storage should be at the top of your list of features.

The goal is to determine the amount of storage you currently need but also account for additional storage you’ll need in the future.

Figure out how many bays and bytes of storage will ensure you can transfer all necessary files onto the NAS. Keep in mind that most NAS systems offer expansion units in case you need to scale in the future.

RAID Levels and Data Protection

I highly recommend picking a NAS with RAID configurations. Your best bet? Choose one that balances data protection and performance.

I usually opt for RAID 5, which balances out those two quite nicely. However, I’ve seen personal setups with RAID 1, which comes with basic mirroring for redundancy. Another option is a NAS with RAID 6. That’s probably not necessary for personal use, but I like it for businesses that need high-capacity drives.

Network Speed and Connectivity

I initially forgot all about the speed of my network after configuring my NAS. I already had Ethernet connections and solid Wi-Fi speeds, but it eventually paid off to upgrade my router, switch to CAT6 Ethernet cables, and opt for a NAS with 10GbE ports. I’d recommend looking for devices that support Gigabit Ethernet.

User-Friendly Interface and Compatibility

I encourage you to opt for the most user-friendly NAS device you can find. You’ll want an intuitive interface with the ability to access it via a web browser. I also like to see web apps for mobile and remote access. I also can’t stress the importance of compatibility. You may want to expand your NAS setup in the future. To integrate with other tools, make sure your NAS device supports common protocols like NFS, SMB, and AFP.

Backup and Security Features

During my first experience working with a NAS, I completely neglected backups and security. Luckily, I didn’t have any issues with data loss, but I was always concerned about the security of my drive. From now on, always activate automated backups for my data. I also recommend turning on two-factor authentication and perhaps a way to back up to a cloud storage service.

Other storage solutions you may encounter during your NAS research include DAS (direct-attached storage), cloud storage, and SAN (Storage Area Networks). Here’s my comparison to help you pick the right one.

I prefer Network Attached Storage over the others for home media storage, collaborative work, and remote work setups. NAS also works very well for virtually any type of small or midsized business, and that’s all thanks to its balance between performance and cost.

Here, I outline a simple step-by-step process for setting up a NAS:

1. Purchase a NAS device that works for your budget, storage, and performance needs.
2. Install hard drives into the NAS bays.
3. Turn on the NAS and link it to your network.
4. Using a web browser, access the NAS interface to set up the system.
5. Generate user accounts and set permissions.
6. Move all files onto the NAS and organize them into shared folders.
7. Set backup schedules that run automatically.

At the end of the process, I like to keep my NAS secure with a built-in firewall and strong passwords. Ideally, you add a two-factor authentication process and restrict remote access. I also recommend keeping your firmware updated and encrypting sensitive data.

I’ve used NAS for my personal movie collection at home and to make it easier to access my work files. You now know how to pick a NAS device with the right features, and I’ve outlined how to configure your NAS for efficiency, security, and performance.

My final bit of advice is to take your time. Spend time outlining the features you need out of a NAS device. And think hard about how much storage is required for your organization.

Spend time learning about the industry, and do your best to compare all NAS devices that fit your use case. That way, you can ensure the best NAS experience possible.