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Data is king in today’s world. Transferring that data tends to be the focus of many but storing it is just as critical. When that data travels from one place to another, it has to have a secure place in which it can be stored.
That is where a network-attached storage device comes into play. If you are unfamiliar, there are a few things that you should know that can illuminate just why NAS drives are so critical.
What is a NAS Drive?
NAS drives, short for network-attached storage devices, are data storage devices that are connected to and ultimately are accessed through a network. This is different from other drives that connect directly to the computer itself. NAS drives actually have a built-in process and operating system, making them far different from the traditional storage drives that many are familiar with.
NAS drives have those things built in because they actually run applications on their own. They also provide the requisite intelligence needed so that files can be shared seamlessly by anyone authorized to access the drive. It is a convenient, easy way to allow access by not only multiple people, but multiple devices and computers, and even to provide remote setup if properly set up.
Ways to Connect NAS Drives
As mentioned, there are more than a few ways to connect NAS drives. Each has its own benefits and uses. For starters, you can access it directly via your computer. Most of us do this with a standard hard drive or SSD that connects through a USB port or other access hub. The cable type can depend on the device you are using but the concept is generally the same.
We also connect through a network. Most of the time, that might be a Wi-Fi-enabled or wired ethernet network. Storage devices that connect to the network, NAS devices, can be configured so that they grant access only to permissible users. It is a great way to ensure that devices remain safe, secure, and that they aren’t just open to anyone.
Finally, there is cloud storage. These are network-attached devices on a much larger scale. Permissions can be managed in much the same way, but the devices are managed by services like iCloud, Azure, Amazon Web Services, and other providers. There are benefits and downsides to each, which is why a bit of homework should be done before choosing a specific NAS drive.
How NAS Devices Work
So, how does your NAS device work in conjunction with your computer? They actually do so in much the same way as device-attached storage devices. They read/write the data on that drive, whether it be things like editing documents, editing photos, or something else entirely.
NAS devices work the same way, though the read/write feature might not be quite as fast as it would be for DAS drives. There are a few key components within each NAS device:
Networking. This is how the device connects to your computer. It can be through Wi-Fi or ethernet as well. Though the device will likely have USB ports, they aren’t used to connect the device to your computer. They connect other devices like backups, chargers, or other things.
Storage. NAS drives work to store files. They have anywhere from two to five hard drives and can provide faster file access and greater redundancy.
CPU. NAS devices have CPUs to run applications, manage multiple users, integrate with the cloud, and even process multimedia files.
Operating System. It isn’t the OS we think of, but it is how the aforementioned apps run. Think of it as a middle ground between a classic PC and a standard storage device.
