Today we live in a digital world in which the Internet plays a crucial role. Today, photos, documents, invoices and certificates are usually created digitally and sent electronically by e-mail or other means. However, as the quality and the possibilities in particular are constantly evolving, the storage space becomes a real problem sooner or later. This is especially true when large amounts of data have to be stored digitally. On the other hand, the capacities of hard disks are limited and a lot of other data, such as the operating system, is also stored on the computer. In the past, external hard disks were the main remedy. But these also have their disadvantages, especially when it comes to network use. In this case, a NAS server is a practical and secure alternative for storing your digital data.

What is a NAS server?

NAS Stands for Network Attached Storage. It is therefore a memory that is connected to the network. The NAS server is therefore a special server that is used exclusively for storing large amounts of data. Unlike an external hard drive, for example, the NAS server is directly connected to the network. This means that the server can be accessed by all devices that are part of the network or domain in order to retrieve the corresponding data. In addition, the NAS server is many times more secure than an external hard drive because it has various security features and components to protect against unauthorized access and limit access to certain data. An external hard disk, on the other hand, can be accessed by anyone who connects the hard disk to a computer unless files are protected by a password.

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Areas of application for a

NAS server

The use of NAS technology is particularly suitable where large amounts of data have to be stored and retrieved. However, the size of the network is completely irrelevant. Some examples are for example:

* Streaming media files or music to your TV or PC
* Data access also from outside your own network
* Storage of large amounts of data, e.g. films
* Cases in which data security through redundant storage is important
* Use as a print server
* As a storage medium for recording films from online video stores or television sets

In addition to the scenarios mentioned above, there are of course a number of other ways in which you can use a NAS server effectively and sensibly. As a general rule, whenever large amounts of data or sensitive files need to be securely stored, it makes sense to use NAS technology.

NAS or Cloud? advantages and disadvantages

Cloud solutions are available today. These also offer you large amounts of memory, which are completely sufficient for most private users. The providers of cloud solutions also attach great importance to security and data protection. However, many people find it difficult to hand over confidential information and documents to others. In addition, access to these cloud servers and the control of security measures are very limited. You have to fully rely on the Cloud Hoster here. In addition, the guidelines of many companies explicitly stipulate that the data must be stored on a separate server. In these cases, you will not have any problems with a NAS server. All data is stored on your own device and you have full access to your data and the server at all times. yourself.

Another problem is that many cloud servers can only provide a certain amount of storage space. Especially if you have large amounts of data, it can be very difficult to find a hoster with the amount of data you need. In addition, it is important to consider the cost factor for cloud solutions. The hoster charges you a fee for the use of its services. This is especially not cheap for packages with a lot of storage space. A NAS server on the other hand may have high acquisition costs, but this is a one-time investment. Especially with expensive cloud packages with large data volumes, you have already reinstated the acquisition costs of the NAS server after one to two years, so that NAS is worthwhile especially in the long run.

What are the components of a NAS server?

In structure, a NAS server is similar to a computer or an ordinary server. It has its own processor and memory and uses RAID technology. In many cases a hard disk is also available, but the size and type depend on the provider and the price. Some NAS models can also be equipped with additional hard drives to increase capacity. In addition, the servers usually have a hot swap function to enable the fast and uncomplicated exchange of data and the fast change from device to device. A copy function to transfer data to the server or to copy data to the PC is also available.

In order for the server to work, an operating system is also installed. Usually Linux is the standard here, but there are also models that run with Microsoft Windows Server. Also here it is necessary to inform yourself before the purchase or a Search for the device that contains the desired operating system. In addition, the server has LAN and USB connections for the connection to the network or other storage media, such as USB sticks, external hard drives, etc.. Some models also have eSATA ports and WLAN. However, since this is not a standard, you should be particularly careful when choosing your NAS server to ensure that these features are available.

NAS server without hard disks – a maximum of security

You can also get a NAS system without a hard disk. In this case, the data is not stored directly on the server. In this case, the device serves as the central medium for data transfer. Whenever data is retrieved from another server or from the cloud, for example, the data transfer is handled via the NAS server. Thus the resources of the other servers or computers in the network remain free, for the everyday work and the operation is not disturbed. However, even a NAS server without a hard disk usually has one or two locations where hard disks can be retrofitted at a later date, should the need arise.

What to look out for when buying a NAS server?

There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing your new NAS. However, in order to make a correct decision, it is first important to determine where the server is to be used. Are you looking for a NAS to store movies and documents at home, or are you planning to use it in a large corporate network? For both situations there are of course different requirements, especially in terms of data volume and performance.

However, the two most important criteria in most cases are the capacity and the processor. The processor is responsible for the performance of the NAS server. A strong processor is therefore particularly important in large networks, while performance can be somewhat neglected in the home network. It looks similar with the hard disk. If you want to use the device at home, then you usually have to deal with limited data volumes and also have a good overview of which hard disk size is sufficient. However, the amount of data is difficult to predict, especially when it is used in a company. A large hard disk is usually important here. In addition, it can be useful to choose a server whose capacity can be expanded by additional hard disks if necessary.

You should also take a look at the working memory, as it affects the performance of the server. Again, for home use, it doesn’t have to be a huge main memory, so you can save on costs. Last but not least, it is interesting to know which connections the server has. Of course, there are no guidelines here, but the requirements depend entirely on your network. A LAN port is provided as standard, as is the case with USB ports. However, if you want the NAS server to connect to the network via WLAN, or if you need an eSATA port to connect the device to other storage media, such as DVD-ROM or hard disks, then you need to be particularly careful here. In addition, depending on the device, the number of connections may vary – also something that you should keep in mind. should keep.

Electricity consumption

Since in many cases a NAS is connected to the grid 24 hours a day, the question of power consumption is also interesting. Especially cheaper devices can become a nasty surprise and cause high costs afterwards. Another decisive factor here is the wattage used by the system. With a 35 watt server, for example, the average cost is around 86 euros per year. If, on the other hand, you opt for a 16 watt system, the costs will be reduced by more than half to around 40 euros per year. For this reason alone, you should carefully compare the various offers here and, if necessary, calculate the electricity consumption.

Which manufacturers are recommended for a NAS server?

Meanwhile there is a quite good range of NAS servers, which offers you both branded products and cheaper options. For example, there are well-known brands such as D-Link or Seagate, which have already made a name for themselves on the market as manufacturers of hard disks or routers. Other manufacturers include Western Digital and Synology, which also stand for quality products. Cheaper servers, on the other hand, you can get from Qnap or Buffalo, among others, without having to sacrifice good quality.

Where can I buy a NAS server?

In the meantime you can find corresponding servers online on the Internet. On different web pages you can compare the offer at servers clearly and get so an insight into the possibilities as well as into the achievement and the costs. In addition, various online shops, such as Amazon, offer NAS servers. Here you benefit above all from the fact that you can see the ratings of other customers. This way you can find out in advance whether the server delivers what it promises, or whether you might want to look for another model.

One But of course the purchase from an IT specialist retailer also offers an alternative. Here you have the additional bonus that you can get detailed advice from an expert about the possibilities. On the basis of your information on the use and application of the server, you will receive concrete recommendations for a device that meets your requirements and wishes and can therefore provide the expected performance.

Summary and conclusion

The purchase of a NAS server should be well thought out and planned in advance. You should think about the area of application and the storage capacities. Other important points to keep in mind with a NAS server include power consumption and the ability to expand storage as needed. When using the server at home in particular, you should also make sure that it runs quietly so that there is no noise pollution. If you are working with high data volumes, then high speed is particularly important. Memory and processor performance as well as a fast network connection should be your priority in this case. In addition you should pay attention to a user-friendly interface and simple operation. Even if this is certainly not the most important criterion for the purchase, you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble with the setup and administration of the device, especially as a less experienced user.

bottom line

Before you buy a NAS server, be sure to check the price and performance against each other. It certainly does not always have to be the most expensive device, but in many cases even the cheapest solution is not always the most suitable. If you are unsure or have no experience in the field, it may make sense to get away from it all. to have an IT expert advise you in detail. This not only informs you exactly about the different devices, but also about the different possibilities.

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