Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Network attached storage (NAS) is like your own privately-owned version of cloud storage. It is accessible to multiple devices via your internet network, which allows users to access and save files to a shared location. NAS also offers a place to store system backups so that you do not lose information if your computer crashes.

Because it is good for group projects, NAS is popular with businesses, but it can be helpful at home as well. Backing up documents is crucial to maintain security, and you may want to store documents off your computer to clear space on the hard drive and improve your computer’s performance. If you do not want to organize multiple external hard drives and USB flash drives, you can enjoy the convenience of an NAS drive.

For many homes, NAS with 2TB to 7TB of storage space is all you need, but if you work from home or you are choosing NAS for your small business, you may want NAS with 8TB+.

Once you know what network attached storage is and how it works, it’s time to choose the right size for you and set it up.

You may want to set up your network attached storage as a RAID drive, a media drive or another kind of storage. RAID stands for “redundant array of independent drives.” A RAID setup saves data in the case of partial hardware failure. The other options are focused on freeing up space on your devices or creating a location for shared projects.

You can use an Ethernet cable to connect your NAS drive to a network hub or switch or to your Wi-Fi router. You will want to consider the security of your home or business network carefully, and you may want to invest in a router with data encryption. Because you will be accessing your new network attached storage drive via your network, feel free to make an appointment with Best Buy’s home Wi-Fi setup and wireless networking center for assistance with the setup.