Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Introduction and usage
What is NAS
In general, we use external hard drives or cloud based storages such as Google drive, drop box as data storing methods. Adding a new hard drive to the local storage is specific to one computer at a time. On the other hand, in cloud services sensitive data are stored on a place which owns by another company or a person based on trust. In such case, the safety of the data is in a risk. As a solution Network Attached Storages (NAS) can be introduced which is a combination of both the above methods. It is a device that is connected to an entire network through the wireless network that has access from any PC which is authorized in a LAN.
NAS is a file storage device which allows multiple users and multiple customer devices to recover data from centralized disk capacity. Users on a local area network (LAN) use standard Ethernet connection to access the shared storage. NAS components have browser-based settings and maintenance. Every NAS resides on the LAN as independent network node and it defined by its specific IP address. These devices have their own built-in operating system which offer software functionalities like printer streaming and remote access. Simple connectivity, broad efficiency, and relatively low costs are the major characteristics of NAS.
There are some facts to consider when a company or a single user choosing NAS device. Such as when running on a large production environment, the storage space and the data sharing speed becomes the most important features. Based on the usage, the users can choose how many drive bays do they really need to store hard drives. (e.g.: 2 bay, 4 bay) NAS is not only for IT industry. It is useful for videography field, photography field and personal cloud storage.
In the growth of the flash storage industry, NAS concept place a major role. Therefore, there are extensive number of NAS device vendors. Following are some of the top companies which involve in manufacturing of NAS devices.
• Apple Inc
• Asus
• BlueArc
• Buffalo
- Cisco
What NAS is used for?
The primary purpose of NAS it to supply centralized data storage to users who are connected to the same network. For example, many modern routers have USB port to connect with any storage device. From that, NAS can be simply plugged in to the router. Then any user at the same network, have access to data which are stored in NAS hard drives. While the streaming speed is considered, it is the best method that allows multiple users to access data simultaneously, instead of connecting external hard drive to the router because, NAS can reach 111.4MBps writing speed and 110.3 reading speed. With this kind of device, the user can access his/her data from anywhere in the world through the remote access feature. The user will be able to access the data without paying any fee rather than using paid cloud service. Probably, it looks like a private cloud service.
Usually, we use laptops or desktop computer. We backup our sensitive data to any other devices or cloud service, manually. In case, if a user did not backup his/her data over a period of time, there is a huge risk of data loss at an instance of failure or damage of the hard drive. Using NAS, you can configure settings to automatically backup if any changes done to the file system. It is more efficient to store unstructured data such as video, audio and text documents.
Advantages of NAS
More Storage Space
A NAS device will add lot of storage space to a local PC, thereby increasing the available storage space for total efficiency. It is not worth for that most laptops and computers have limited storage space, which could be an obstacle for smooth operations for their business.
Flawless Collaboration
It is not very easy when one has to keep emailing for a certain document in order to merge a certain report, especially because this ends up creating a lot of copies of the that document. However, when using a Network Attached Storage device, documents are available from one central location to be easily accessed by anyone you want.
Private Cloud Storage
The useful of cloud storage can never be underestimated. However, for anyone storing sensitive information in a cloud based system, they are fear about if anyone can have the access to their information. Luckily for anyone with such fear, a NAS device will allow efficient cloud based storage without the possibility of theft.
Automated Data Backup
As an example, if their hard disks sustain a crash, consistent data backup is very useful for the integrity of a business or institution. When one is using a NAS device, it is possible to configure automatic backups which will show again any changes to documents or folders made locally on a PC.
Data Protection
There are some dangers that can damage our computers, which can damage the data stored there. Dropping a laptop can be damaging or a drink can accidentally spill over to a laptop and destroy all the data stored there. Fortunately, when one uses a Network Attached Storage device that is not affected by local hardware failures, their data is secure.
Simple Server Setup Procedure
The process of setting up a NAS device is not difficult, but it is a relief to anyone who wants to take advantage of its many benefits. Most NAS devices have a simplified web-based interface that makes it easy for someone to set up and be able to access the settings.
Enjoy Your Own Media Server
It is very important to have your own media server and you will not get these services by using well known cloud storage facilities. But, when someone uses a NAS drive, this is definitely possible.
Remote Access
This tool is revolutionary and allows anyone to access their files anywhere and at any time. Any modern business or organization should certify that they have the network attached storage for optimal success.
Advantages of NAS over SAN
Network Attached Storage (NAS) is simpler than SAN storage. One of the biggest advantages of NAS comes from this simplicity. Instead of blocks, the data lives in volumes made up of files and folders. It’s the typical client-server layout. Clients access folders and files through a UNC path that the NAS server shares. Because the NAS server handles the file system and the data is completely independent of the devices to which they are connected. Multiple clients or devices can connect to the same files at the same time.
Advantages of using NAS protocols include easier management and the ability to leverage your existing network infrastructure. Another benefit is that because of the data is stored at the file level, so you can easily shrink and increase the volume automatically. The volume shrinkage ability is a huge big benefit to reclaim over-allocated space. When using SAN as a storage protocol, you can only develop those LUNs. To get a smaller LUN, you need to re-create that LUN and move all of the storage to the new smaller LUN. SAN and NAS each have their own things to trade-offs. Like most IT questions about the approach to take when choosing a storage protocol to use, the answer is, “It depends about what you need.” Fortunately, it’s not one or other question.
Synology NAS
Synology offers a very user-friendly device with an experience of Network Attached Storage (NAS), but that does not mean that you need to unzip it and starting it — it is exactly a oneclick away. Synology is a company, since in 2000, specializing in Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. Synology has two primary product lines, DiskStation and Rack Station, with the former planed for home users and small offices and the latter intended for larger commercial environments.
DiskStation models come with their own Linux-derived operating system, known as DiskStation Manager. DiskStation Manager comes with a very intuitive web-based interface that looks like you’re using a desktop computer, complete with easily recognizable icons, well-designed menus and plenty of help files. In addition to basic NAS features such as file management, you can add a large set of custom plugins that handle things like organizing your family photos, torrenting files, and everything in between.
Configuring NAS
The first step is the naming of the server and the creation of the administration account. There’re a couple of things to consider on this step. First, the server name is how your Network Attached Storage will appear on the network and will be listed in various applications. A compact name that is easy to type out like, say, backbox or disk station is preferable to longer names with spaces like Milton’s Magic Download Fun Time Box.
Next username and password can be anything you want, but here’s a pro tip for Windows users: if you make the username and password for the administration account of NAS the same the username and password of your Windows PC, can seamlessly use all the network shares on the NAS your Windows PC without entering a password or username. In the next step, we can create a Synology account and a Quick Connect ID. However, this step is not required, if you plan to access Synology NAS outside your network for any purpose (and for several reasons you may want to do this, for an instance access your files while away from home, backing up vacation photos, or sharing files with friends).
This is a convenient way to skip fiddling with configuration settings later. Quick Connect is the free Synology Dynamic DNS service included with your NAS that allows you to always call home to your NAS by using an address which is easy to remember. After setting up the Quick Connect step, you will be able to install directly some core application packages. You can skip the step and select them one by one, but given the utility of the basic packages, we suggest installing them all.
Getting Around DiskStation Manager
After this last step, you will be asked to take a very brief overview of the DiskStation Manager interface. Let’s consider few of those key areas now. Here’s what the DiskStation Manager desktop looks like. There’s access to applications with a shortcut and menus, ‘notifications’ in the upper right corner, and a ‘system health’ and ‘resource monitor’ in the lower right corner. The main menu and desktop shortcuts have placed on the left-hand side. The Start Menu-like button which has located at the top of the screen will open all your applications, but right on the desktop, there’s straight access to four frequently used applications Package Center, Control Panel, File Station, and DSM Help, as seen below.
The Package Center is a place where we can install, update, and remove applications. If you see notifications from the Package Center, this specifies that one or more installed applications requires updating. The File Station is a file manager. It allows us to easily create and browse folders on our NAS containing many file operations (such as cut, paste, move, and delete) built right into the right-click context menu. The Control Panel is similar to the control panel on other operating systems and includes settings for everything from the network configuration to user group management. This is a great last stop for a setup tutorial, as it allows us to show you how to upgrade your NAS operating system before sending you to play with it. After you open the Control Panel by clicking on it, there is a section called “System”, you need to click on the “Update & Restore” icon which has located inside it. Finally, you find any available updates. Click “Download” to the update and then once it has downloaded click “Install”.
What are the things will need for installing?
This will use to create a file server to link multiple TVs and to store all photos, movies, and videos into a centralized file server. In this updated guide, I’ll cover the steps you need to set up your own NAS to store all your media files in a home cloud. It is useful to think of the Home Theater as a modular layout with a separate front and rear end.
Here is a summary recommended product needed:
● Custom-built HTPC or NVIDIA Shield TV as a streaming media player.
● Synology DiskStation DS216j or DS416j as a NAS storage.
● WD Red hard drives to store media files.
Home Theater PC (HTPC)
The main front end should be Super Silent Home Theater PC (HTTP). No storage for media files, TV tuners or DVD / Blu-ray drives to the front end. The DIY Media Client will do the heavy lifting, such as recording live TV, scratching metadata and transmitting video files and online video streams. As a media server, it is more affordable than buying a powerful commercial NAS server. I use my Windows 10-based HTPC as a media server to record, store, and stream all media files with Agus TV, MCE Buddy and Plex software. Then, I use the PlexBMC Kodi add-on in my living room and bedroom HTPC to access all the television programs recorded from my media server (running Plex).
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
NAS (Network Attached Storage) is an abbreviation of the term network attached storage, which is a file server that can be accessed over a home network as opposed to single computer access. In other words, a Network attached storage server allows you to share media files between computer servers and portable entertainment devices. To make sure you have reliable backups for important files, such as your documents and photos, you can use a network attachment store with hard drives. Then, you can map network folders from the NAS to your computers to access all documents and photos. You’ve also added photos folder from the NAS to your Plex Media Server so that you can view photos as seamlessly as other media files such as recorded TV on other devices.
Digital Media Receiver (DMR)
You can extend your media experience to other rooms by adding digital media subscribers such as
Nvidia Shield TV (my recommendation), Amazon Fire TV, Roku Streaming Player, Apple TV or
Raspberry Pi. These affordable media streams are especially good as secondary devices
Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless and 100MB Ethernet are quite slow. Using a Gigabit Router allows the read and write speed of a network hard drive to be similar to that of a computer’s internal hard drive. So, upgrading your network to 1000MB Ethernet really makes a difference, especially since Gigabit routers are not that expensive. Be sure to connect your HTPC Gigabit router with the Cat6 network Ethernet cable to make sure you get high transfer speeds.
Get a network attached storage
It is good to think about your needs whether a 2-bay model is good enough for you or whether you should choose a 4-bay format immediately. If you have a Mac, you can also use it as a Time Machine. also provides good backup software for Windows. One simple but important feature that most external hard disks do not have is to shut down hard disks after a period of inactivity. If you are looking for any data from the hard drive, it automatically activates the hard disk. This lack of functionality can be very troublesome with external hard disks, so you need to enable them separately when you need access to the data. So, for many users, the 2-bay model is a great choice.
Install the hard drives
Keep in mind that most NAS servers do not include hard drives, so you must purchase them separately. The size of the hard drive disk also depends on your needs and budget, so choose between 2TB-6TB. The big drive will cost you a gigabyte. Installing HDD to disk is very easy. All you need to do is remove the screws, connect the wiring and the SATA cable, and then relocate the screws.
