That is the common tradeoff in technology, though. They typically only need to be powered and connected to the network to get started. Once the device is purchased and/or assembled, the setup process is easy. It’s this single-purpose design that lends to the simplicity of the NAS. This goes back to the flexibility aspect because a NAS is really only built for storing and accessing data. As mentioned earlier, these are usually packaged up as a pre-built piece of equipment for plug-and-play use, though they can be built.Īgain, an entry-level NAS is going to be cheaper than an entry-level server that has the same amount of storage. This is a data storage server that allows file access to computers on a network. Our relevant alternative is the Network Attached Storage (NAS) device. Network Attached Server (NAS) Pros and Cons Again, this brings us back to the power and flexibility offered by servers over NAS devices. The processing power comes into play with high-demand use cases, such as with media servers that need to transcode media to different formats.
#Best nas for home server windows
The difference, besides the added configurability, is that the more-costly file server will have a faster processor, more RAM, requires the use of an operating system like Microsoft Windows Server, and can serve up access to client-server applications and host network administration tools. That said, you can expect to pay more for a file server than for a similarly spec’d NAS (in terms of storage capacity). Custom-built hardware is more expensive and requires more administrative intervention to configure and maintain, whereas NAS devices are meant to be purely plug-and-play solutions or to provide additional storage beyond what servers offer in a shared network environment. This benefit is also the main point of argument toward the Network Attached Server (NAS) alternative. They are purpose-built for this role and can be assembled or modified such that the hardware matches exactly what is needed. The key consideration is that servers are designed to run all the time in service of the network, providing things like storage and processing power in ways that are custom configured to suit the needs of the users. They can range from small desktop towers suited for that purpose all the way up to complex racks of devices with wide functionality. While they might sound complicated to the uninitiated, servers are essentially computers designed to maintain 100 percent uptime. To explore further, let’s look at the pros and cons of each. While a file server and NAS device both allow administrators to control who has access to specific files and folders, a file server typically offers more customization, security configuration options, and more granular access controls. While NAS devices are sold as simple solutions, the typical file server offers more powerful hardware and greater functionality. That said, the manner in which they do so is quite different. What is a NAS and how is it different from a file server?įile servers and NAS devices are both able to facilitate the sharing of files across devices on a network.Let’s take a closer look at how small businesses can make the most informed choice. Each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of expandability, customization, cost, deployment, and ease of use. Determining the best solution is challenging, especially for small businesses or home users who don’t necessarily need the features and capacities that large organizations require.Īmong the most common solutions to choose from are cloud, in-house servers, and network-attached storage (NAS). There are a variety of ways to add accessible data storage to a home or business network, but not all equipment is created equal.