What is NAS storage?

NAS stands for Network Attached Storage. 

What is this I hear you ask?  Well it is a device that enables you to store and network your files among your computers, either on a home network or an office network. 

I’m sure a lot of you now know about the safety of backing up your data to external devices.  Well these NAS devices enable you to take it one step further by enabling you to connect to your data from multiple devices.  Essentially it is a central storage bay, so you can eliminate having too many USB’s or external HDD’s laying around your house that you then need to physically plug into the computer you wish to access the data on. Simply put it on the NAS, and it can be accessed from all devices on your network. It also means that you can back-up your devices to one central location, and only have to worry about taking that with you in an emergency. 

Some consumers even use these devices to store their media (music/photos/movies) on so they are all in one central location to access. Certain models of NAS support DLNA which is a fancy way of saying you can stream content from it to your smart TV and phones. Imagine putting your family videos on a box which you can then watch from any device in the house. 

So in a way a NAS can be your own private Cloud in your home or office. 

For more information on how you can make accessing and storing your data easier, please do not hesitate to call your local IT expert.