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NAS:
How it Works
NAS (Network Attached Storage) is simply what
it sounds like. It is the concept of providing storage capacity
directly onto the network LAN without the necessity of bringing
down file or application servers to increase the available storage
capacity available across the network.
NAS
servers are dedicated devices with an in-built operating system
that is technically 'hard wired' into the server, and typically
provide a web-based management utility for configuration purposes.
They are simply to install and use, offering instant network
data storage combined with the absolute minimum of administrative
and set-up overhead.
NAS systems invariable provide an Ethernet connection to attach
to the network, and cabn be contacted via any networked workstation
immediately for configuration purposes. Everything from IP address,
DHCP settings, partitioning and allocation of the available
storage, and security settings etc, can then be configured through
a standard browser such as the one you are using now.
The
simplest NAS systems simply provide storage capacity in the
form of a large block or volume that users can start using straight
away for storage purposes. It appears on the network and you
can start filling it with all those duplicate copies of temp
files and bloatware that is grinding your workstations to a
halt. Then when its full as well, you can go and buy another
one.
The
next level of NAS solutions provide for basic fault tolerance
in the form of independent RAID controllers. The capacity of
the NAS system can be built as a RAID volume providing a level
of security against basic hardware failure (such as hard drive
failure). The RAID configuration is transparent to the user
and they 'see' a large volume of storage available on the network.
Again, configuration and management of the system is usually
provided through a web-based management utility.
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