Benefits of NAS Over DAS

This comparison was written by Buffalo Americas, Inc.

Network Storage and Direct Storage: Best Storage Solution for You

DAS is likely your first foray into external storage, as it can be as simple as a USB flash drive or an external HDD to an enclosure with RAID. It is a fairly basic storage device that is either part of the actual computer or attached directly to it, and is regarded as a low-maintenance and low-cost storage/backup solution. The direct computer connection (USB or Thunderbolt) can offer easy installation and fast data transfer speeds. Because of its straightforward environment, DAS can often be found in small businesses where data only needs to be shared locally and there is little or no IT support to maintain a complex network.

However, DAS offers many shortcomings for businesses looking for flexibility. DAS storage capacity is often fixed, and if storage is not sufficient, it is difficult to implement storage expansion without replacing the drive. On the other hand, if the storage capacity is too big, it can lead to a waste of resources, especially when working with data servers. The other major downside of DAS is that different user groups cannot access data on a DAS as it cannot be managed over a network; this lack of network access also means DAS provides less redundancy capabilities, leading to lower data security.

Benefits of NAS Over DAS
NAShttps://www.buffalotech.com/products/category/network-attached-storage is a storage system that offers dedicated file serving/sharing through a network. NAS systems are popular amongst SMB because of their ease of installation and operation. Although setup is slightly more complex than a DAS system, NAS systems also require no specialized IT support or maintenance.

A NAS device allows businesses to have one centralized, shared storage system that enables concurrent multi-user access, allowing your employees to easily collaborate over joint development projects. The network aspect of NAS also means the NAS system can be accessed from virtually anywhere in the world, with many NAS products providing numerous security and authentication methods to ensure access security.

Finally, NAS systems provide additional data security by enabling a hybrid cloud approach to storage and backups. They can typically integrate with well-known cloud services such as Amazon S3 and Microsoft Azure. Hybrid cloud leverages the convenience of cloud storage while maintaining the security and flexibility of onsite storage. This allows you to keep your most sensitive data secure by storing it on your on-premises NAS and move your less-sensitive data to the cloud, so you can achieve the perfect balance between price, security, and control for your important data.

DAS Vs. NAS Usage Comparison Chart

Buffalo’s NAS Solutions
Depending on your environment, choosing DAS and NAS can be boiled down to a matter of price vs. value. While DAS can cost less, its lack of expansion flexibility, single-user access, and remote management ultimately reduce its overall value as a storage/backup solution. On the other hand, NAS can be perfect for SMBs and other organizations that require a reliable, flexible, and cost-effective storage/backup system that can be scaled up in order to accommodate for growing data needs.

Buffalo’s NAS is considered as a secure storage, along with personal customer service and 24/7 North America-based support. With nuanced security features such as drive encryption, snapshots, and a closed system, as well as iSCSI support and partially-populated drive units, the company provides flexible storage solutions that offer the security, stability, and simplicity you need.