Network Attached Storage (NAS) How NAS works A NAS unit is an
open-system computer system with storage capacity connected to a
network that provides file-based data storage services to other
devices on the network. NAS uses standard file protocols such as
Common Internet File System (CIFS) and Network File System (NFS)
to allow Microsoft Windows, Linux, and UNIX clients to access
files, file systems, and databases over the IP network. Benefits
of NAS Large numbers and various types and release levels of
direct-attached storage (DAS) or internal storage can be
difficult to manage and support as well as costly due to very
low total utilization rates. NAS provides the cost savings and
simplicity of consolidating storage using the existing IP
network without requiring the cost and complexity of building
and maintaining a secondary network as with storage area network
(SAN).