Chapter 7. Network-Attached Storage
Network-attached storage (NAS) is an IP-based file-sharing device attached to a local area network. NAS provides the advantages of server consolidation by eliminating the need for multiple file servers. It provides storage consolidation through file-level data access and sharing. NAS is a preferred storage solution that enables clients to share files quickly and directly with minimum storage management overhead. NAS also helps to eliminate bottlenecks that users face when accessing files from a general-purpose server.
NAS uses network and file-sharing protocols to perform filing and storage functions. These protocols include TCP/IP for data transfer and CIFS and NFS for remote file service. NAS enables both UNIX and Microsoft Windows users to share the same data seamlessly. To enable data sharing, NAS typically uses NFS for UNIX, CIFS for Windows, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and other protocols for both environments. Recent advancements in networking technology have enabled NAS to scale up to enterprise requirements for improved performance and reliability in accessing data.
A NAS device is a dedicated, high-performance, high-speed, single-purpose file serving and storage system. NAS serves a mix of clients and servers over an IP network. Most NAS devices support multiple interfaces and networks.
A NAS device uses its own ...
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