A NAS (Network Attached Storage) is actually a hard disk that has a network connection. This makes files stored on a NAS available to all users on your home network. What else is possible with a NAS and what you should pay attention to if you want to buy it?
A NAS is actually a simple PC that often runs on a variant of Linux. The primary function of a NAS is file sharing. Since a NAS is more like a mini server nowadays, much more is possible. A NAS can not only be used for yourself with, for example, your entire family. You can create a user account for each user and ensure that users cannot access each other’s files, and you can also create folders that all family members can access. There are NAS devices in different price ranges that differ in performance and functionality. Also read: The 8 best NAS systems you can buy right now.
Processor and RAM
Like a computer, a NAS contains a processor and RAM. If you mainly use a NAS for storing files and / or streaming to a limited number of devices, a NAS with a single-core processor and 512 MB RAM will suffice. Even with 256 MB of RAM you can probably still manage. However, if you want to stream to multiple users at the same time, or use the NAS for multiple tasks at the same time, such as streaming, downloading and viewing photos, a copy with a dual-core processor and 1 GB RAM is more suitable.
Number of disk positions
NAS devices come in versions for different numbers of writing. There are variants for one, two, four or five discs. Of course, more or less the more disk positions the NAS offers, the more expensive the device is and the more you can store on it. In addition, a NAS with two or more disks provides the ability to protect data against disk failure through RAID.
For home use, a two-bay NAS is a good compromise between price and features, although four-bay NAS systems are also gaining popularity. Nowadays there are NAS’s for sale with a storage capacity of 4 TB. So you could fit 8 TB on a dual-bay NAS (two drives). Many users choose to protect RAID1, which allows it to fit 4 TB. If you are only going to use the NAS to share less important things such as movies and music, a NAS without this security technique will suffice.
An advantage of popular NAS brands such as Synology, QNAP or Netgear is not only the large amount of extensions, but perhaps more important is the large number of users. For the popular NAS manufacturers, there are forums where you can find all kinds of information and solutions to problems.
Dutch Synology User Forum: www.synology-forum.nl
English Synology User Forum: http://forum.synology.com
English user forum QNAP: http://forum.qnap.com
Netgear English User Forum: www.readynas.com/forum
English user forum ASUSTOR: http://forum.asustor.com
English user forum Thecus: http://forum.thecus.com
Which drives?
NASs are sold with or without storage. If you opt for an empty NAS housing, you will have to buy hard drives yourself. You can basically put any SATA drive in a NAS, but it is wise to check if a drive is on the compatibility list of the NAS. The NAS manufacturer then tested the hard drive for proper operation in combination with the NAS. Fortunately, both Western Digital and Seagate make it easy to find a suitable drive.
Both manufacturers have a range of hard drives that are specifically intended for use in a NAS and are usually on the listed compatibility lists. Western Digital calls its NAS drives WD Red, at Seagate you have to look at NAS HDD. HGST, a subsidiary of Western Digital, also offers NAS drives under the name DeskStar NAS. A NAS disk with 2 TB storage capacity costs about 90 euros, 3 TB for 115 euros and a 4TB disk for about 160 euros, but those prices are changing quickly.
USB ports
Almost all NAS devices have one or more USB ports. The cheaper ones have USB2.0 ports, while the more expensive NAS devices have faster USB3.0 ports. USB ports can be used to connect USB storage so you can back up data from the NAS. The other way around is also often possible: you can easily copy data from a USB disk or USB stick to a NAS. In addition, many NAS devices have a built-in print server so you can share a USB printer with your network. If you want to use this option, please check before purchasing if your USB printer is compatible with the print server on the NAS. In practice, not every USB printer works with every print server. In addition to the USB ports, the more luxurious NAS devices also contain an eSATA connection, so that an extra disk can be much faster.
Web interface
Although most NAS devices run on a variant of Linux, you will have little to do with this in practice. You manage a NAS just like a router via a web interface. You reach the interface via an IP address and most manufacturers provide tools that automatically detect this IP address for you. It is wise to give your NAS a fixed IP address so that you can always reach it easily. The web interfaces of NAS manufacturers are increasingly resembling complete operating systems. You can set up the NAS, manage files and install extensions via the web interface. NASs also contain applications to view movies, music and photos in the browser.
Many possibilities
Every NAS is suitable for file sharing and a DLNA media server is also almost always present, so that you can easily play media in your network. However, if you want more, it is best to choose a NAS that you can expand with new possibilities. The forerunners in this area are Synology and QNAP, but other brands such as Netgear, Thecus and ASUSTOR also offer extensive expansion options. We will briefly discuss the main capabilities of NAS devices.
Media server
A NAS is an ideal device to store a movie and music collection. Virtually every NAS therefore contains a built-in DLNA media server so that you can stream media files to your media player or smart TV. Game consoles such as the PS3, tablets and smartphones can also use DLNA. On more advanced NAS devices, you can install additional media servers such as Plex.
To download
Almost every NAS can download files itself, which is very handy. BitTorrent is usually supported, and more advanced NAS also support downloading from newsgroups. On NAS devices that you can expand with packages for extra functionality (such as the models of Synology and QNAP), you can also install additional download programs such as SABnzbd, Sick Beard or Couchpotato.
Share photos
If you put photos on a NAS, you can give everyone access to these photos via a shared network folder or DLNA. Some NAS devices also offer a built-in photo website in which photos are presented in a well-organized manner. This is not only useful for yourself, it is also ideal for showing photos to other people.
Extensions
You can expand the more advanced NASes of, for example, Synology, QNAP, Netgear and ASUSTORE with additional options and applications. These packages are not only developed by the NAS manufacturer itself, but also by the users themselves. The packages can be found on the websites of the respective brands.
Host websites
On some NAS devices it is possible to host a website and you can use content management systems such as WordPress, Drupal and Joomla! to install. You can offer a (test) website within your own network. With a modern NAS it is also relatively easy to make the device and thus the website accessible via the internet.
Personal Cloud
Cloud services are very popular because they easily make all your documents and files available on all your devices through apps. NAS manufacturers also jump into this market and offer possibilities and mobile apps that allow you to use a NAS as a personal cloud. If you want your own cloud, you can go to the NAS manufacturers LaCie, Synology, QNAP and WD.
