NAS (Network Attached Storage)

"Network Attached Storage", is a file-level data storageconnected to a computer network providing data access toheterogeneous network clients. NAS uses file-based protocolsproviding both storage and file system storage.

A storage design that connects a server to externally enclosed hard drives via a local area network.

Network-attached storage. The setup in which a high-end server, typically a filer, is attached directly to the network that's making use of the backup, instead of to a separate SAN. SANs and NAS are often combined in today's storage networks.

An acronym for Network Attached Storage, a term used for RAID, tape and other mass storage systems which have an integral network connection such as ethernet or fibre-channel

A NAS device is a server that runs an operating system specifically designed for handling files (rather than block data). Network-attached storage is accessible directly on the local area network (LAN) through LAN protocols such as TCP/IP. Compare to DAS and SAN.

NAS provides storage resources to servers and workstations over a shared or dedicated network. This network is typically Ethernet running the Internet Protocol (IP). NAS operates with industry-standard protocols such as Network File System (NFS), Common Internet File System (CIFS), and SCSI over IP (iSCSI) and uses the servers network interface card (NIC) for communication.

A server that is dedicated to nothing more than file-sharing

A storage system connected to a computer network. NAS systems are file-based, and often use TCP/IP over Ethernet (although there are numerous other variations). See also Storage Area Network.