When Network attached Storage becomes a criterion

NAS devices do not require any kind of dedicated input or output devices like a monitor or a keyboard/mouse. They work on an embedded operating system and can be configured using a web browser. Since, NAS systems support HTTP or hypertext transfer protocol, the clients accessing the files, through NFS can download files from their web browser.

NAS units are packed with one and more hard disks, which are often arranged, in logical, redundant storage containers or raid arrays. In this storage concept, the client machines connect directly to the NAS head than the storage devices. The access to the NAS device is possible through an Ethernet connection and the NAS appears on the network with an IP address tagged to the head device.

Like the typical file servers, a NAS can store any kind of data which appears in the form of files such as web content, remote system backups and other content such as email boxes. NAS systems offer reliable operation and also can be managed with simplified administration. They are enriched with features such as secure authentication, disk space quotas and automatic sending of email alerts.

Communication with a NAS head occurs over TCP/IP and the other two main application protocols which are associated with NAS are Sun Network File system based NFS and Common Internet File system called as CIFS. Both these protocols operate in the Client and server fashion.

NFS was developed for sharing files between UNIX systems across a Local area network and now they have developed as NFS clients, which become a medium for communication, in between clients having the flavor or UNIX operating system.

CIFS is known as Server Message block or SMB and is an IBM & Microsoft developed application protocol, used to support file sharing on DOS operating system. Since, this protocol began to be used widely in windows; it was changed as CIFS from SMB. CIFS is used as a SAMBA package in the UNIX systems.

h2. Network Attached Storage / NAS storage benefits

* NAS storage offers efficiency and reliability as its major benefit. Since, it is physically separated from the network server; it avoids bandwidth bottlenecks and allows the entire network run efficiently. This factor helps it out, in the period of downtime as well. As the NAS devices runs independently on the network server, it becomes accessible, in periods, when the network server is having an outage.

* Typically, NAS device is a shared resource, which is accessible fully to all users. As a result, NAS device allows the users to utilize the storage space, as per their needs, rather than dedicating a specific space to them. When additional space is required, it offers storage expansion to the existing unit as well.

* NAS devices can be easily deployed in the storage environment and can be quickly accessed with a petite IT expertise need. As the NAS supports heterogeneous environments, there is no need for it to be configured for working with a specific server. Just deploy it in a network, by assigning an IP address and specify few settings and the storage is ready.

* For protecting the data, in periods of data continuity, the NAS can be initiated with RAID protection, which will offer business critical data, for avoiding data loss.

* Small and medium business can take the full benefit of NAS storage environment as it offers simplified IT management. Reliable, flexible and ease of use, along with superior performance and solid protection, make the NAS storage apt for SMB’s.

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