Nas Storage Verses SAN Storage

Network attached storage and a storage area network both expand the storage capacities of the devices they are connected to. There are pros and cons for both that allow a user to choose which one is beneficial for the system that user is running. The difference is in what each is able to accomplish.

NAS or network attached storage usually attaches to a LAN through a router or switch. These means that through a router or switch any computer hooked to the network or part of the system can access the expanded storage. This type of storage expansion is compatible with most operating systems and can be accessed simultaneously by the different computers on the network. An NAS can be released on a WAN or wide area network. This makes it possible to reach the storage expansion even if the computer is not in the same room or on the same street.

A SAN or storage area network is used for a small area. Only one computer storage system can be expanded; any computer added to that system would have to have an additional device to enable the storage to be shared between the computers. A SAN is connected to a computer through fiber channels. Which is why is can only hold one computer without an add-on card installed. Storage space of a SAN can be allocated to different servers, but must be managed by the computer itself instead of being self-managed. With a SAN there is no long range. The reach of a SAN will only go so far before the signal will be lost.

When taking in both storage expansion systems the NAS has a longer reach than the SAN. The NAS can handle more computers at one time and can share existing files and folders between computers. The SAN does not share readily; only files or folders not being used by one computer can be shifted to another to be used.  With an NAS there is nothing to install that will enable other computers to be able to access the storage; with a SAN there has to be an add-on card installed for that purpose.