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A Network Attached Storage (NAS) unit is essentially a self-contained computer connected to a network, with the sole purpose of supplying file-based data storage services to other devices on the network. The operating system and other software on the NAS unit provide the functionality of data storage, file systems, access to files, and the management of these functionalities. The unit is not designed to carry out general-purpose computing tasks, although it may technically be possible to run other software on it. NAS units usually do not have a keyboard or display, and are controlled and configured over the network, often by connecting a browser to their network address. The alternative to NAS storage on a network is to use a computer as a file server. In its most basic form a dedicated file server is no more than a NAS unit with keyboard and display and an operating system which, while optimised for providing storage services, can run other tasks; however, file servers are increasingly used to supply other functionality, such as supplying database services, email services, and so on.

A general-purpose operating system is not needed on a NAS device, and often minimal-functionality or stripped-down operating systems are used. For example FreeNAS, which is Free / open source NAS software designed for use on standard computer hardware, is just a version of FreeBSD with all functionality not related to data storage stripped out. NASLite is a highly optimized Linux distribution running from a floppy disk for the sole purpose of a NAS. Likewise, NexentaStor is based upon the core of the NexentaOS, a Free / open source hybrid operating system with an OpenSolaris core and a GNU user environment.

NAS systems contain one or more hard disks, often arranged into logical, redundant storage containers or RAID arrays (redundant arrays of inexpensive/independent disks). NAS removes the responsibility of file serving from other servers on the network.

For further information click on Network Attached Storage and find out how it uses file-based protocols such as NFS (popular on UNIX systems), SMB/CIFS (Server Message Block/Common Internet File System) (used with MS Windows systems), or AFP (used with Apple Macintosh Computers. NAS units rarely limit clients to a single protocol.

NAS provides both storage and filesystem. This is often contrasted with SAN (Storage Area Network), which provides only block-based storage and leaves filesystem concerns on the “client” side. SAN protocols are SCSI, Fibre Channel, iSCSI, ATA over Ethernet (AoE), or HyperSCSI.

Despite differences SAN and NAS are not exclusive and may be combined in one solution: SAN-NAS hybrid

The boundaries between NAS and SAN systems are starting to overlap, with some products making the obvious next evolution and offering both file level protocols (NAS) and block level protocols (SAN) from the same system. An example of this is Openfiler, a free software product running on Linux.

A basic understanding of the capability of the software on your computer helps you to get maximum value and performance from your investment of time money and energy.

The majority of computer operators use about 30% of the functionality and features that are available simply because they fail to take the time to learn.

Modern technology has gone a long way to assist computer operators to increase their knowledge.  The Internet has all the information that you need but the problem is which of the many search results that you get are going to lead you to the right place.

We have found that YouTube is the greatest source of help to both new and experienced operators due to the abundance of video tutorials available.  The very nature of Web 2.0 encourages competent computer geeks to use screen shot video programmes such as Camtasia and Jing to record the key strokes necessary to complete any computer operation.  they do this to establish themselves as an expert in their particular field knowing that a percentage of people watching the video will go to their website where invariably they have a full training program that they are promoting.

Modern computers allow you to extend  your desk top across two screens so that while watching a tutorial on one screen you can follow along and complete the task on the other.  The main frustration from this is the fact that software  companies are constantly upgrading their products and sometimes you will have loaded the latest version say 2.5  when the tutorial is done in version 2.0.   Usually you can get the main drift of the programme and by using the help function in the program you will save hours of  wasted time experimenting.

If you have a sales organisation, a great resource to find up to date software is www.salessoftwarecenter.com

We are dedicated to bringing you interesting and informative up to date information to help you understand and operate your computers to their maximum efficiency.