 |
» |
|
|
|
A NAS solution is built around a highly tuned and optimized storage appliance that can connect to nearly all types of client devices straight out of the box. These client devices simply access the additional shared disk space on the NAS appliance through any existing LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network) connection.
NAS systems are often referred to as plug-and-play storage solutions because the operating system is pre-installed and you don't have to install additional drivers for any of the hardware components to access the device. In fact, once you connect the NAS appliance to your LAN and configure it, all you need to do is assign access rights to users via the Web-based administration interface.
|
NAS vs. SAN |
|
|
One of the most commonly asked questions about NAS is "How is NAS different from SAN (Storage Area Network) solutions?" A SAN and a NAS fundamentally provide the same thing -- networked storage -- but the methods each employs and the benefits for businesses are very different.
NAS solutions can be deployed in minutes using an existing LAN infrastructure. NAS provides an optimized storage space that all users can access directly over a corporate network. SAN solutions provide potentially limitless, raw storage capacity directly to servers (instead of users) over a dedicated infrastructure that can be tailored to a company's specific needs.
The following table includes an at-a-glance comparison of the two:
|
|
NAS |
SAN |
| Type of data |
Shared files |
Block level data: e.g., databases |
| Cabling used |
Existing Ethernet LAN |
Dedicated Fibre Channel |
| Primary audience |
End-use clients |
Application servers |
| Disk access |
Through NAS appliance |
Direct access |
| Ultimately, the two solutions can be complementary to each other, and many IT environments may actually deploy both solutions in a complete storage solution. You will learn more about NAS/SAN fusion later in this guide. |
|
|
Is NAS right for you? |
|
NAS solutions will be of immediate benefit to your organization if you:
- Are looking to deploy a shared storage solution quickly and easily.
- Need to reduce the time and personnel required to manage and protect the information you already have.
- Need to consolidate your DAS solution from disparate locations that are under-utilizing capacities or performance.
- Have systems from various hardware vendors and do not want to continue buying individual storage solutions for each vendor.
- Are looking at disk-based data protection solutions as an interim step or alternative to tape backups.
- Are looking to consolidate the number of file and print servers you are using.
- Need future-proof scalability of disk resources.
- Want to increase the effectiveness of your IT investments.
|
|
|
|
|
Printable version
