Install the appA NAS is a small computer built for storage: it joins your home or office network, and every computer and phone uses it like a shared drive. Files, photos and backups sit in one place under your control and stay reachable away from home, with no monthly cloud subscription. In business, a NAS holds shared staff files, backs up computers and servers and stores security camera recordings.
How to choose a NAS
- Number of drive bays. Two are enough for a home and simple backups, four to six suit a small office and a large media library, eight or more suit businesses and video work. Take a bay or two more than you need today so there is room to grow.
- Processor and memory. An ARM processor is enough for file sharing and backup. Intel or AMD is needed for live video transcoding, virtual machines and many users at once. More RAM helps with such loads too.
- Network speed. A 1G port limits speed to about 110 MB/s. 2.5G and 10G ports make a difference when working directly on large files, provided the switch and the computer support the same speed.
- With or without drives. Most models are sold diskless, so you can pick the capacity to fit your budget. Drives made for NAS are built for non-stop work and are better than regular ones.
- Drive type. 3.5-inch hard drives give large capacity at a low price. SSDs are faster and quieter, and on some models act as a cache that speeds up the system.
- Chassis. A desktop case suits a home or office. A rack case fits a server cabinet.
Which NAS fits you
| For | Bays | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Home and family | 2 | Photo backup, file sharing, easy setup |
| Small office, media fans | 4-6 | Intel or AMD processor, 2.5G network, staff computer backups |
| Business and video work | 8 or more | 10G network, plenty of memory, rack case, dual power supplies |
Add hard drives and a UPS, which protects your data during a power cut. For servers built for other jobs, see servers.
FAQ
What is the difference between a NAS and an external drive?
An external drive connects to one computer. A NAS sits on the network, is open to every device in the home or office at once, backs them up automatically and keeps your data even if one drive fails.
What is RAID and how many drives do I need?
RAID combines several drives into one array. RAID 1 needs two drives and keeps an exact copy, RAID 5 needs at least three and keeps your data if one drive fails. RAID does not replace a separate backup elsewhere.
Can I reach my NAS away from home?
Yes. Manufacturers offer apps and remote access, so you can get to your files from a phone or computer anywhere. Set a strong password and keep the software updated.
Can I use regular drives?
Technically yes, but NAS drives are built for non-stop work and for the vibration of several drives in one case, so they are the right choice. Check the manufacturer's compatibility list.
