Tech terms can be terribly confusing, especially for someone who is new to the concept of network storage or common PC components. At XOTIC PC, we aim to bridge the gap between technical terminology and the data you depend on for gaming and running other applications. There are a wide variety of storage devices on the market that can help you back-up files, access digital goods from the cloud, expand your storage options, access the internet, and customize the apps you use most often. In this article, we explain what network area storage and network-attached storage devices are, so that you can decide for yourself whether the investment is worth the money. What is Network Area Storage?Storage is an essential element of any PC setup. Gaming enthusiasts like us rely on hard drives, USB keys, and other components to hold personal data in an accessible place that is also secure. However, these types of local storage can and do fail. In a time when high-resolution photos and video capture are paramount, extra storage space is certainly something to think about. Network Area Storage is essentially an external data repository, designed to give multiple users remote access from anywhere to large amounts of data. Network-attached storage (NAS) devices have dedicated hardware that connects to a local area network (LAN) to share files in an efficient way.What Are the Pros and Cons of NAS?Network Area Storage addresses the many of the issues that users face and provides a multitude of benefits for anyone that might be worried about losing important files. With a NAS device, you can free up local storage space while simultaneously preventing critical data loss or drive failure. With access and the appropriate permissions, potentially hundreds of devices on the same network can also access and share files instantaneously, which is much more appealing than emailing or waiting for files to upload to the internet. NAS devices can be connected directly to a computer via USB cable, but the main benefit of NAS is its ability to create a small network all its own. Although there are services you can pay for, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft’s OneDrive, we know just how difficult it can be to decide who can be trusted with your data. Plus, NAS devices do not rely on internet connection, server firmware, or other factors that can limit download speeds.There are many benefits of investing in a NAS device, but there are certain factors to consider before making a final decision. Network Area Storage can reach the 10TB mark, which may limit users with excessive storage needs. If you require a large amount of storage space, you may want to consider setting up a file server instead. Much like anything connected through a network, NAS devices are also susceptible to security issues. Most devices come with perfectly adequate security measures, but you may want to double-check credentials, firmware updates, router security, and much more just to protect your data from outside surveillance or theft.Please feel free to contact us with any questions about Network Area Storage or our selection of wireless routers today.
