Network Attached Storage [NAS] A solution for today's storage needs
"Thanks to its simplistic and friendly UI, backing up your precious data is now easier and faster than ever."
We live in an ever evolving world. It is hard to imagine that till only a decade ago, a data storage unit with a gigabyte of free memory was considered the holy grail of storage technology. But the times have changed! In this day and age of high resolution images and videos, a gigabyte of data is considered miniscule and the storage space in your laptops and mobile devices fills up faster than you can use them. While using an external hard drive to offload or to back your files up is a viable option, neither you nor anyone else can access them if you disconnect it or leave it behind somewhere. Sure there are some ways to allow people to access the files in your drive but all of them come with their own set of inconveniences and security hazards.
The computing world of the modern time runs on information, and managing it is absolutely crucial. So it's important that you select the best storage device to not only store your data, but also distribute it. This is where Network Attached Storage or as it is commonly known, NAS comes into play. As the name implies, a NAS is a high capacity storage unit that connects to your home or office network so that you and other users you designate authority to, can access your files from various mobile devices and PCs without having to plug into the storage drive. A NAS server functions similar to an external hard drive but instead of connecting to a computer using a USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, etc, it connects to your router using a network cable and makes the storage space available to every computer on the designated network.
This allows you to save all your videos and pictures along with all the memories they contain within them without having to delete other valuable files on your laptop or external hard drive.
"What are the benefits of buying a NAS unit?" you might ask. Well! Apart from serving as a backup data storage unit, a NAS server can also work as a picture, video and music streaming server, a file sharing server, a printer server, a surveillance dock, and even a personal cloud server, as well as many other functions you can't find in other external hard drives. In short, it can serve as an ideal digital home entertainment system/ workstation and security center. With a NAS unit, you can store and stream your 1080p videos/ movies and all you favorite tunes without any lag and without it affecting your personal device's space. All you need to do is simply sync your laptop or mobile devices to the NAS system and you’re set.
The question may also arise on its convenience on a day to day basis! Although the mechanics itself may sound complicated and confusing, you can rest assured that you will get accustomed to the device in no time; thanks to its simplistic and friendly UI (User Interface), backing up your precious data is now easier and faster than ever. Current generation NAS units also feature the latest in eco-friendly technology to protect the environment and save money on your energy bill. Its ultra-efficient size also means that you will not have to move things around to make any space for the unit.
The other question that you might ask is if it's really safe to rely on a NAS unit to back all your important data up! The simple answer is a resounding yes! Each NAS unit comes with its own set of inbuilt IP Filters, the latest Antivirus software, highly reliable encryption programs and a whole host of other measures that makes sure that your data receives the utmost protection and security. The multiple hard drives in the unit mirror your data to assure that even if one drive fails, your data is kept secured in the other drive and so forth. Some NAS Units also comes with a physical lock system to make sure that the internal hard drives are safe from any sort of theft and burglary.
NAS units are compatible with every Windows, Apple, Linux and UNIX operating software. These units are also backward compatible. This means that you can use it seamlessly even with older OS'es. The units also come with all the ports that you might need like USB ports, HDMI ports, AUX ports, etc.
You can find NAS units that can accommodate anywhere from 3 TB to 12 TB in the market.
Sky Nepal Pvt. Ltd is the sole distributor of one of the most reliable brand of NAS units, QNAP. They provide a 2 year warranty on both the hard drive as well as the software. Entry level NAS units start from Rs. 15000 and upwards.
All in all, Users hoping to get the most out of a storage system should consider implementing a network-attached storage unit for their homes. With multi-functionality and a constant - consistent processing power at the tip of your fingers, you can step one foot into the world of tomorrow.