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network-attached storage

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- Network-attached storage (NAS) is hard disk storage that is set up with its own network address rather than being attached to the department computer that is serving applications to a network's workstation users. By removing storage access and its management from the department server, both application programming and files can be served faster because they are not competing for the same processor resources. The network-attached storage device is attached to a local area network (typically, an Ethernet network) and assigned an IP address. File requests are mapped by the main server to the NAS file server.

Crafting a NAS Consolidation Plan -- Click here to listen to the podcast

Network-attached storage consists of hard disk storage, including multi-disk RAID systems, and software for configuring and mapping file locations to the network-attached device. Network-attached storage can be a step toward and included as part of a more sophisticated storage system known as a storage area network (SAN).

NAS software can usually handle a number of network protocols, including Microsoft's Internetwork Packet Exchange and NetBEUI, Novell's Netware Internetwork Packet Exchange, and Sun Microsystems' Network File System. Configuration, including the setting of user access priorities, is usually possible using a Web browser.

Getting started with network-attached storage

To explore how NAS is used in the enterprise, here are some additional resources:

High-performance NAS: Learn the advantages and disadvantages of high-performance NAS, including the effect it has on both storage technologies and solution providers.

Moving from DAS to NAS: In this tip, Rick Cook discusses how SMBs can benefit from adding NAS to their existing networks .

Small-midsized business NAS product evaluation: This article compares and contrasts four very different NAS systems: the Buffalo TeraStation Pro II Pro, the Reldata 9240, the Synology RS407, and the Western Digital MyBookWorld Edition WDG1NC5000N.

NAS FAQ: In this FAQ, Ashish Nadkarni, Principal Consultant with GlassHouse Technologies, Inc., answers today's most common NAS questions.

Learn more about NAS hardware

Special Report: Direct-attached storage: Direct-attached storage (DAS) is thriving in the enterprise more than ever, and Exchange 2007 is the application leading the DAS revival.
Midrange NAS arrays buying guide: Find out how midrange NAS arrays work, best practices for NAS arrays and product specifications.
Midrange NAS arrays product specifications: Listed here are product specifications for over 25 midrange NAS array products. Find out which storage vendors are offering midrange NAS arrays.
Best practices for NAS arrays: Avoid file management nightmares by planning: The good news is that you can get a NAS box up and running in 20 minutes. The bad news? Deploying your second, third and fourth NAS systems creates a file management nightmare.
NAS arrays shouldering more mission-critical enterprise apps: NAS arrays are moving beyond traditional file serving to running production databases, mission-critical enterprise applications and VMware installations.

LAST UPDATED:

30 Sep 2008

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More resources from around the web:

-	SearchStorage.com features a buying guide for NAS, including insights into NAS appliances, management software, gateways, and the specifications of key vendor.
-	Network Appliance one of the largest sellers of NAS systems.
-	Another NAS provider, Connex, offers a Guide to Storage Expansion

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Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary

direct-attached storage (SearchStorage.com)
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A NAS accelerator (network-attached storage accelerator) is a printed circuit card that offloads TCP/IP processing from a microprocessor.

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