A few of our customers have asked us for an overview of Network Attached Storage (NAS) and Storage Area Network (SAN) so they can identify which data storage device will work best to suit their needs. Typically a NAS is more appropriate for a small or home-based office and a SAN is best suited for larger, enterprise networks. A NAS is a single storage device that operates on data files, while a SAN is a local network of multiple devices that operates on disk blocks.

Network Attached Storage is a specialized storage server with its own IP address that is made available to multiple clients and servers on a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) which allows users to easily share images and documents. A NAS system is very easy to implement since the necessary software and drivers are pre-installed.

A Storage Area Network is a high-speed special-purpose network (or subnetwork) that interconnects different kinds of data storage devices with associated data servers on behalf of a larger network of users. A SAN solution provides the ability to pool storage and allocate it according to the needs of the servers within the pool, which makes a SAN a very flexible option. A SAN can be built on a fiber based backbone and contains high end components, making it faster, but more costly to implement that a NAS.

SAN disks run as an extension of a computer’s operating system, so the computer must have operating systems and software that are compatible with the SAN to be able to use it. SANs provide greater flexibility and additional functionality over a NAS.

For more information on NAS and SAN and advice on which solution is best for your office, call Teltek today!

Since 1997, Teltek has become an established resource for nearly 2,000 client’s telephone systems, voice and data cable installations, and carrier services. As a Microsoft Certified Partner and Dell Registered Partner, Teltek has the knowledge and resources necessary to keep your computer network and IT infrastructure current and functioning efficiently with the personalized service Teltek clients have grown to admire. With office locations in Baltimore and Westminster, Maryland, we serve clients across MD, DC and VA.

Let Teltek be your single source technology solutions provider. Call us today at 1.866.9.Teltek to find out why 2,000 repeat clients trust Teltek to maintain their critical business technology systems each and everyday. That’s the Teltek difference!