Network Attached Storage is designed to separate storage resources from network and application servers in order to simplify storage management and improve the reliability, performance and efficiency of the network, thus increasing the overall productivity of the organization.

Network Attached Storage servers are self-contained, intelligent devices that attach directly to your existing LAN. A file system is located and managed on the NAS device and data is transferred to clients over industry standard network protocols (TCP/IP or IPX) using industry standard file sharing protocols (SMB/CIFS, NCP, NFS, AFP or HTTP). This intelligence on the NAS device enables true data sharing among heterogeneous network clients.

BENEFITS OF NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE

Streamlined Architecture
Network Attached Storage Appliances have a streamlined architecture designed for one function - to serve data files to clients in heterogeneous network environments. Powered by an operating system optimized for file I/O activity, file serving performance is greater than that of a general purpose server, which is designed to perform a multitude of functions.

Reduced Server I/O Bottlenecks
The largest source of network and application server degradation is file service. Carnegie Mellon University studies show that the server processor spends on the average 25% of its time serving file I/O requests. This percentage increases as simultaneous requests increase. Separating storage from the server reduces the file serving activity and I/O bottlenecks and increases server bandwidth. CPU cycles can then be dedicated to handling application requests, resulting in improved client response time.

Increased Reliability and Data Availability
According to Dataquest over 60% of server failures are caused by storage related problems. Network downtime, resulting from server failure, costs organizations thousands of dollars per hour. Separating storage resources from the server decreases both the number of components and the amount of file I/O activity, reducing the probability of server downtime and increasing the reliability of the network and application servers. A more reliable and efficient network saves your organization time and money.

Most networks do experience server downtime at some point, whether for planned maintenance or due to unexpected crashes or outages. Because NAS Servers operate independent of network servers and communicate directly with the client, files remain available in the event of network server downtime.

In the case of thinserver appliances, the architecture is designed around a specific function. All components, both hardware and firmware, are tightly integrated to perform that single function. This "closed box" architecture provides for extremely high reliability.

Efficient Allocation and Use of Resources
Network Attached Storage provides a common pool of storage that can be shared by multiple servers and clients, regardless of their file system or operating system. This enables you to efficiently allocate storage, and alleviates the problem of one server running out of storage while another server might have more than needed.

NAS enables you to locate storage where it's needed on the network and provide clients with direct, server independent communication to storage resources. Localizing file I/O traffic provides for a more efficient use of network resources.

A NAS appliance connects directly to your existing LAN and transfers data over standard network access protocols (TCP/IP or IPX) using standard file sharing protocols (SMB/CIFS, NCP, NFS, FTP or HTTP). No additional software or client licenses are required for clients to access storage. This enables you to implement a storage solution and leverage your existing network investments.

Simplicity
The traditional methods of adding storage are too cumbersome for today's network environments. Network Attached Storage enables you to add storage anywhere on your network in minutes simply by plugging in a network cable, applying power and configuring a few settings. There is no server re-configuration and no network downtime. And this can all be done during normal working hours.

Management of NAS Appliances can be performed from anywhere on your network or over the Internet using a standard web browser or alternative management tools. NAS appliances are so simple, there is no need to understand or learn a complex operating system and anyone can administer one.

Increased Productivity
Network Attached Storage provides increased productivity for your whole organization. Network clients benefit from the ability to share storage resources with clients from another network environment. They also benefit from reduced data access times and improved application server response times. And in the unlikely event of network server downtime, network clients can still access work files, therefore maintaining their productivity. Network administrators, on the other hand, enjoy the luxury of simple installation, management and less storage related problems.

Lower Total Cost of Ownership
Although disk drive costs have dropped drastically in the last year, the average company spends roughly $7.00 per megabyte each year in administrative and lost productivity costs to manage its current storage. Network Attached Storage, with its many benefits, features a lower total cost of ownership than other methods of adding storage to your network.

NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE APPLIANCES VS.

GENERAL PURPOSE SERVERS

A Network Attached Storage Appliance is characterized by a streamlined architecture designed and optimized for performing one function - data delivery. This "closed box" approach results in more efficient performance, higher reliability, easier installation, management and use, and lower total cost of ownership as compared to a general-purpose server.

NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE (NAS) VS.

STORAGE AREA NETWORKING (SAN)

Network Attached Storage (NAS)
A NAS appliance is a self-contained, intelligent storage device that attaches directly to the LAN and transfers data at the file level over network protocols (TCP/IP or IPX) using industry standard file sharing protocols (SMB, CIFS, NCP,AFP, NFS, HTTP). Network clients communicate directly with the storage server.

Storage Area Network (SAN)
A SAN is a discrete network of servers and storage devices (RAID, Tape Libraries, etc.) attached together via a high speed I/O interconnect, such as Fibre Channel or standard network infrastructure utilizing iSCSI technology. Data is transferred via serial I/O rather than network protocols, and raw data requests are made directly to disk without the need for file sharing protocols.

Network Attached Storage and Storage Area Network solutions utilize different technologies and each serves a different purpose in a storage networking environment. Below is a brief comparison between the two technologies.