What Is A NAS? Types, Importance and 6 Best NAS

What is a NAS? You must have been hearing about this but still do not know what it is, having one of the best NAS (Network Attached Storage) is what a lot of people are looking for, both for home and office use.

The truth is that, without an efficient server, everyday life becomes much more difficult when there is a need for constant exchange of information.

In this scenario, the ideal is to look for efficient products that are capable of offering high quality.

This will result in greater productivity and will also bring more security, both for the maintenance of information and for your permanent custody.

What is a NAS (Network Attached Storage)?

The term NAS can be freely translated as “storage connected to the network” and, roughly speaking, you should know it as the “server” that you may have seen in the company or elsewhere.

The server has the function of storing a large amount of information that can and will be shared with other PCs or Macs.

It then works as a database that can be accessed remotely by those who are part of the same network.

How to choose the best NAS (Network Attached Storage)

Purchasing the best Network Attached Storage depends on a little research and, above all, knowing exactly what you are looking for.

So, here are some important tips that you can follow at the time of purchase so that your choice is correct.

Each of them can make a big difference, so stay tuned to know how to choose the best Network Attached Storage.

Application

The first thing to think about is to know what exactly you want to use the NAS for. Will it be installed at home, just to share family information, or in a company, with multiple employees?

From there, it will be possible to better orient yourself between the various existing models today.

Processing time

As shared network usage occurs, there may be a longer delay in transferring information. If you need more agility, then you need to choose a NAS that has a more efficient processing time. Thus, the performance and the result will be better.

Storage capacity

The amount of information that needs to be shared is also important. There are NAS with the most diverse internal spaces.

However, you need to assess your need and think about the long term. There is no use saving now and needing to change the server in a few months.

Information security

A very important point is the security of the information you intend to keep on the NAS. Eventually, they can be classified or their loss can cause great damage. So, it is good to think about this before choosing the model and choose the one that offers greater security.

What is the Importance of a NAS (Network Attached Storage)?

It is not uncommon to see servers installed in different places. You may have already wondered about the advantages that the equipment offers. Therefore, we have listed some benefits of a NAS that you may get when you have some of the best NAS (Network Attached Storage) on the market.

Important benefits are:

  • Great cost-benefit;
  • Centralized information;
  • Easy access through the network;
  • Easy-to-use equipment;
  • Improved performance of other servers on the network.

With all this, a NAS can help improve a company’s performance or make using a home’s network more interesting while serving as a backup.

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What are the best NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices?

Now that we know a little more about the servers and how they work, it’s time to get to know some models.

Below you will see a list of the best NAS (Network Attached Storage) available on the market. Stay tuned.

1. Qnap TS-332X

Qnap TS 332X
Best NAS Drive

Brand : QNAP | Memory : 32 GB | Weight : 1.66 kg | Dimensions : 15 x 26 x 14.2 cm

The Qnap TS-332X is considered the best NAS Drive with 3 easy-swappable bias, the model can reach up to 42 TB. That is, you will have enough space to put all the files you need, without worrying for a long time.

To make performance better, the model has a 10GbE SFP port, which helps to speed up massive data sharing. With three other 6 GB SSD slots, the response time is even better and users will see the difference.

In addition, it is important to note that RAID 5 is supported, which makes data protection higher. The 3 snapshot bays, on the other hand, help protect data against accidental exclusions and malicious attacks by malware.

Two gigabyte LAN ports and the 10GbE SFP + port allow for an increase in data transfer rate, which can reach 526MB per second of recording. In the case of reading data, the performance is even better, reaching 1085MB per second.

The last highlight is the optimization of SSD technology, which allows an increase in its functionality and better functioning, even with the excess of information. This also helps the SSD to have an extended life.

For all these reasons, the Qnap TS-332X is considered the best NAS on the market today. The model offers excellent quality and has everything to be a great option for any needs. The Qnap TS-332X NAS drive costs around $375.24 and above.

2. WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra

WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra
Best Cost Benefit

Brand : Western Digital | Memory : 0.5 GB | Weight : 816 g | Dimensions : 15.49 x 9.91 x 17.15 cm

The best NAS (Network Attached Storage), eventually, can cost a little more expensive than expected. However, there are good options that offer better value for money, without leaving quality aside. The WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is the model that stands out the most in this sense.

With a high-performance dual-core processor and 1.3 GHz, to carry out data transmission, free of Lags, the model tends to please. For other multitasking activities that are smoother, the model also has 1 GB of DDR 3 memory.

With this, you will be able to centralize your information in a more peaceful and also more secure way. The data will be protected and access can be made by any of the other members of the network. So there are several options for RAID and backup.

With simplicity, the model offers good quality, with an affordable price to almost every pocket.

3. Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220J

Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220J
Best NAS for Home Use

Brand : Synology | HD : 32 TB | Weight : 1.5 kg | Dimensions : 22.5 x 10.01 x 16.51 cm

If you want to use a NAS at home, Synology Diskstation DS220J is the best option. The model is a little different from others, which has a capacity more focused on business activity. However, you can be sure that efficiency is nevertheless guaranteed.

It is a NAS designed with a basic level of sharing and aimed mainly at home use. Thus, its best use will be in the storage of photos, videos and simpler documents, which do not require much of the equipment.

This private-use cloud is powered by DiskStation Manager (DSM), an operating system with an intuitive interface that helps the user to solve various problems. There are also approaches to data security and digital asset backups at no additional cost.

The model is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS and mobile devices. Thus, you can count on a server that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, storing important information for your day to day.

The model also supports streaming multimedia content, which can be very useful these days. The Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220J costs around $169.99 and above.

4. NAS Diskstation DS1618 +

Best Professional NAS for Big Data

Brand : Synology | HD : 96 TB | Weight : 5 kg | Dimensions : 28.2 x 24.3 x 16.6 cm

If your interest in reading this list was to know a professional equipment, capable of working with a large volume of data, this is it. The NAS Diskstation DS1618 + is the most suitable model for these needs, mainly due to the efficiency presented in the data volume.

This Synology equipment has 6 compartments that allow scalable storage. The model can be effective for technology lovers or small and medium-sized businesses that need to manage a workload but are looking for less effort.

One of the positive points is the ability to restore data at the file or folder level. This speed and flexibility tends to assist in day-to-day performance.

To make everything work, a Quad-core processor, 2.1 GHz and 4 GB of DDR 4 memory. The memory, however, is already prepared and can be expanded up to 32 GB. That is, you start at an optimal level and can still improve performance over time.

Another way to further improve the model’s productivity is to use the M.2 SSD cache, using an M2D17 adapter card, which is optional. The NAS Diskstation DS1618 + costs around $799.99 and above.

5. Synology Diskstation DS1019 +

Synology Diskstation DS1019 +
Best NAS with Multiple Features and Excellent Performance

Brand : Synology | Memory : 8 GB | Weight : 1.5 kg | Dimensions : 22.3 x 23.01 x 16.61 cm

Some NAS has several features that can be quite useful. In this sense, Synology Diskstation DS1019 + stands out, still maintaining excellent performance.

The Quad-core CPU has an AES-NI encryption engine and offers a read and write speed that can exceed 225 MB per second. Best of all, this speed remains even when the data is encrypted.

The speed, which is already excellent, can go up even further. This is because the model has two 4 GB DDR3L memory modules. In other words, they are 8 GB directed to the mildest secondary activities, without disturbing the main functioning of the equipment.

To make this even more interesting, the user also has two SSD M.2 NVMe compartments that are integrated. That is, over time it is possible to increase the available space, with efficient results in the speed and performance of the NAS.

The model has several features. Therefore, it is indicated mainly for those SOHO users. Or even for information technology enthusiasts. The model can accelerate productivity and bring new experiences with the continuous flow of multimedia information. The Synology Diskstation DS1019 + costs around $1,179.00 and above.

6. NAS Synology Diskstation DS120J

NAS Synology Diskstation DS120J
Good and Cheap NAS

Brand : Synology | HD : 16 TB | Weight : 700 g | Dimensions : 22.4 x 7.1 x 16.6 cm

As it could not be otherwise, our list also includes a model that, although quite cheap, offers excellent quality. The NAS Synology Diskstation DS120J is an efficient model, but it costs a lot less than its competitors, even if it delivers a little less too.

It should be thought of as a possibility to store videos, images and less extensive documents. Thus, it is possible to make the family’s day-to-day more optimized and also make the call with cell phones, for example.

Cloud storage is made simple for users new to using the NAS. The transfer rate can occur above 112MB per second when reading data and up to 106 MB per second when writing information.

It should be noted that the size of the HD, 16TB, can be sufficient for the data of an entire family. Mainly, considering that this can be a great backup option for both Windows and macOS users.

Another point of great importance in the model is the fact that it is highly compatible with mobile devices. That is, you will be able to access your data from both Android and iOS, from anywhere.

Conclusion

Now you know a little more about servers and how they work. As you have noticed, there are several options.

So, choose one among the models we recommend and transform your home or business with a lot of connectivity.

FAQs

What is a NAS?

The term NAS can be freely translated as “storage connected to the network” and, roughly speaking, you should know it as the “server” that you may have seen in the company or elsewhere. The server has the function of storing a large amount of information that can and will be shared with other PCs or Macs. It then works as a database that can be accessed remotely by those who are part of the same network.

What is the Importance of a NAS?

Important benefits are: 1. Great cost-benefit 2. Centralized information 3. Easy access through the network 4. Easy-to-use equipment 5. Improved performance of other servers on the network.

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