Whether it’s to navigate your keepsake media collection or stream high-resolution videos in your own personal cloud, or to share and access files securely to other employers with ease as a business owner, an NAS (Network Attached Storage) provides a high-capacity storage solution that connects to your home or office network. With 24/7 access through your mobile device or PC, NAS is a cost-effective way to back up important data without paying a high cloud subscription fee.












Network-Attached Storage (NAS) devices provide a convenient means of offloading and creating data backups from computers while maintaining remote access to files. These units store information in a centralized location, and provide access for authorized on-site and network access using secure dedicated IP addresses. NAS devices boast a range of features that are handy and versatile to meet the needs of home users and small and large businesses.
Receive and process requests from thousands of authorized employees simultaneously using a NAS device. Cloud-based network-attached storage servers offer access to stored documents and files over an internet connection, making them suitable for businesses with multiple branches. Some personal cloud NAS brands provide access to files even after router or hardware failure, eliminating employee downtime.
Choose a model to fit your data needs. Network-attached storage units featuring dual-core and quad-core processors offer faster sequential read-write speeds. Some models feature expandable memory modules for smoother transfers. Other NAS DiskStation devices feature drive bays that hold SSDs, which help reduce system and application startup times while providing near-instantaneous access to files. Models with DLNA® support provide fast streaming, making them a suitable pick if you are building a media server.
Network-attached storage devices connect to the network using built-in Ethernet ports, which provide improved performance without dropping signals. Units that support Gigabit Ethernet connections offer the robustness and speed necessary for running several hard drives while maintaining fast response times. A NAS device connects to a Wi-Fi® router via cables so it can synchronize with smartphones, tablets and laptops to ensure schedules are up to date across all your devices. Some models feature a built-in Wi-Fi functionality that allows client devices to stream multimedia formats and edit large files. Creating folders on the NAS system makes it easy for colleagues to share project elements, while a streamlined design keeps files organized for easy viewing.
Some models operate with a boot authentication management tool, so a stolen unit is not readable in any circumstance. Many desktop NAS units feature Kensington lock compatibility and lockable doors to prevent them from being taken off the premises without a key. AES 256-bit secure encryption prevents the reading of drives if removed from a specific NAS device, while SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) enables secure file transfer between networked hosts.
Most network-attached storage devices come with a full-function operating system that includes applications that extend their functionality to act as security surveillance, disaster recovery or backup devices. Some units feature multiple drive bays, giving you flexible upgrade options when you require more storage capacity in your server. Some models have a bank of USB ports for attaching several external hard drives and devices without interrupting your current workflow. Hot-swappable drives eliminate the need to shut down for replacing or upgrading to higher-capacity drives, while Rackmount NAS solutions are suitable for use in cabinets and racks that house other devices.
“ Synology NAS arrived early and was easy to set up. ”
Synology 2-bay DiskStation DS223j (Diskless)“ After fearing my long running and now discontinued and deprecated Drobo NAS would crash and burn, I decided I needed to replace it. ”
Synology 4-bay DiskStation DS423+ (Diskless)“ Currently using the Synology Drive app on all of my phones, and laptops to automatically keep backups on the NAS - works very well. ”
Synology 4-bay DiskStation DS423+ (Diskless)“ This is our second Asustor NAS. ”
Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen 2 AS6702T 2 Bay NAS, Quad-Core 2.0GHz CPU, Dual 2.5GbE Ports, 4GB RAM DDR4, Four M.2 SSD Slots (Diskless)“ This is like training wheels for a home network NAS ”
Synology DiskStation DS723+ (2Bay/AMD/2GB) NAS Network Storage Server“ Replaced an older DS920+ NAS. ”
Synology 4-bay DiskStation DS423+ (Diskless)“ The OS is the best NAS software you can run. ”
Synology 2-bay DiskStation DS224+ (Diskless)“ My NAS replaced 6 external drives that I bought over the years with various capacities from 8 to 18Tb and now my desk is a little more organized. ”
Synology DS1621+ Diskless System 6-bay NAS DiskStation (Diskless)