NAS (Network Attached Storage)

NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a kind of distributed, independent data integration for large, centralized management, data center, so that application servers on different hosts and access to technology. Simple terms it is literally connected to the network, with data storage devices, also known as "network storage." It is a dedicated data storage server. It is data-centric, storage devices and servers will be completely separate, centralized management of data, freeing bandwidth, improve performance and reduce total cost of ownership, investment protection. The cost is far lower than the server storage, and efficiency is much higher than the latter. NAS is currently the world's leading companies have Netapp, EMC, OUO and so on. Still no competitive NAS business.Basic definitionsNAS is defined as a special kind of dedicated data storage server, including memory devices (eg disk array, CD / DVD drives, tape drives or removable storage media), and embedded system software, which provides cross-platform file sharing. NAS usually hold our own in a node on the LAN, without the intervention of the application server, allowing users to access data on the network, in this configuration, NAS centralized management and processing all the data on the network, the load from the application or enterprise server unload on, effectively reducing the total cost of ownership, investment protection.NAS itself can support multiple protocols (such as NFS, CIFS, FTP, HTTP, etc.), and can support a variety of operating systems. From any workstation using IE or Netscape browser on the NAS device can be easy and intuitive management.The difference between SAN and NAS:
 SAN is a network, NAS product is a proprietary file server or a read-only file access equipment. SAN is used between the server and storage I / O path of the private network.
SAN consists of a block-oriented (SCIS) and for file (NAS) storage products.
 NAS products connected to the storage device through the SANAppearance of the NASNAS is a function of a single thin, so unlike the personal computer in the structure is less complex, such as keyboard, mouse, screen, sound card, speakers, expand water transport, and so do not need all kinds of connectors; like in appearance appliances, just power and simple controls. NAS architecture with the personal computer in the similar, but features a simple, removes many unnecessary connectors, control chips, electronic circuits, such as keyboard, mouse, USB, VGA, etc.