Introduction NAS

[prashant]

"Network-Attached Storage", also known as "NAS", is a file-level computer data storage attached to the computer network giving data access to the various network clients. NAS is an intelligent Storage Device. It resides on a network. NAS uses industry standard file sharing protocols like NFS, HTTP, SMB, CIFS, and NCP to service the file-I/Os.

Below are the applications require NAS type storage architecture:

1) NT File sharing applications and UNIX.
2) Technical and scientific applications.
3) Consolidated file-serving applications.
4) Internet and Intranet storage applications.
5) Decision support applications.

Network clients directly communicate with the storage server. Sharing the true data between the various clients is easy because the file system is at the “storage side” and data is moved to the client using file sharing protocols.

Advantages of using File Sharing Protocols:

1) Streamlined access
2) Transparent remote access
3) Up-to-date data
4) Real-time access

[Merv]

Very interesting.