There are several reasons for installing a Network Attached Storage (NAS) in your home or office. From the need to be able to count on a file server to the desire to have a multimedia center, passing through the possibility of using it as a personal server, as a VPN server (virtual private network server) or as a private cloud.
In this way, NAS is used more and more, and for more and more functions, so their popularity continues to increase.
However, choosing the NAS server that best meets your needs requires some minimal technical knowledge. To simplify your choice, we have developed this complete buying guide. Here we will be listing the top 13 best nas.
- Centralized Data Storage - Consolidate all your data for complete data ownership and multi-platform access
- Sharing and Syncing Across Systems - Access, share, and sync data across different systems and devices using intuitive controls
- Powerful Backup and Restoration - Back up and restore critical devices and data using a host of intuitive backup tools
- Secure private cloud - Enjoy 100% data ownership and multi-platform access from anywhere
- Easy sharing and syncing - Safely access and share files and media from anywhere, and keep clients, colleagues and collaborators on the same page
- Comprehensive data protection - Back up your media library or document repository to a variety of destinations
- Centralized Data Storage - Consolidate your data with 100% data ownership and multi-platform access
- Easy Sharing & Syncing - Share files and media in a breeze, and keep clients and collaborators on the same page
- Simple Data Protection - Back up your media library or business document repository to a variety of destinations
- IronWolf internal hard drives are the ideal solution for up to 8-bay, multi-user NAS environments craving powerhouse performance.date transfer rate:6.0 gigabits_per_second
- Store more and work faster with a NAS-optimized hard drive providing 8TB and cache of up to 256MB
- Purpose built for NAS enclosures, IronWolf delivers less wear and tear, little to no noise/vibration, no lags or down time, increased file-sharing performance, and much more
- LincStation N1 NAS is powered by an Intel Celeron N5105 CPU, 4 cores, 16GB memory, and 128GB ROM, Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 6 (Note: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 features require running a VM).
- This NAS storage device comes with Unraid License, which unlocks advanced features through one-click deployment of docker applications, build virtual machines for Android, Linux, Windows, and support hardware pass-through (Unraid version). LincStation is your full functional network attached storage, private cloud, and home server.
- Abundant interfaces for endless possibilities. Everything you need is integrated into this small body. 4-bay M.2 NVMe 3.0 SSD Slot, 2-bay 2.5-inch SATA3 SSD Slot. 2.5G Ethernet Port x1,10G USB C Port x1, 3.5 Audio Port x1, HDMI 2.0 x1, USB 3.0 x2.
- CPU: Intel Celeron N5105 Quad Core 2.0GHz Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
- RAM: 4GB DDR4-2933 SO-DIMM (Expandable up to 16GB)
- External Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 2.0, 2x 2.5GbE, HDMI 2.0b, S/PDIF
- Available in capacities ranging from 1-14TB with support for up to 8 bays | As used for storage capacity, 1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.Specific uses: Business
- Supports up to 180 TB/yr workload rate | Workload Rate is defined as the amount of user data transferred to or from the hard drive. Workload Rate is annualized (TB transferred ✕ (8760 / recorded power-on hours)). Workload Rate will vary depending on your hardware and software components and configurations.
- NASware firmware for compatibility
- HIGH QUALITY HARDWARE: Made in Japan with pre-tested, NAS-grade hard drives included.
- PURPOSE-BUILT FOR DATA PROTECTION: Features 256-bit drive encryption, RAID options, a closed system, and flexible replication and backup features to keep your data safe.
- EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR SERVER: VMware Certified to expand storage capacity and extend your current servers using iSCSI and existing networking equipment.
- AnnapurnaLabs Alpine AL324 ARM Cortex-A57 quad-core 1.7GHz processor
- 4 GB SODIMM DDR4 (Max 16 GB)
- 8 x 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s, 3Gb/s (Diskless)
- All-CMR portfolio for industry-leading 24×7 performance to access data anytime, anywhere
- Up to 180TB/year workload rating, 1M hours MTBF, for unparalleled TCO
- IronWolf Health Management actively helps protect data with prevention, intervention, and recovery options
- ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core 2.0GHz processor with 4 GB DDR4 RAM
- Future-proof high speed 2.5GbE port x 1, 1GbE port x 1
- Budget-friendly home NAS for file storage and multimedia streaming
- Home Storage Center: With 2 drive bays(Up to 44TB), it's ideal for both home and SMBs, offering easy management and secure storage for all your precious data.
- Access Anytime, Anywhere: Our dedicated app provides fingertip access to your files with automatic VPN security, ensuring you're in control wherever you are. Both mobile devices and PCs can store and read pictures, videos and documents.
- Multimedia Sharing Center: Embrace convenience with SAMBA(Files are shared across multiple devices) and DLNA(Family Video Library) support, enabling effortless file sharing and media streaming across smart devices.
- Effortless Installation – Simply connect the LinkStation to your router and enjoy shared network storage for all your devices. The NAS is compatible with Windows and macOS, and Buffalo's US-based support is on-hand 24/7 for installation walkthroughs.
- Subscription-Free Personal Cloud – Store, back up, and manage all your videos, music, and photos and access them anytime without paying any monthly fees.
- Storage Purpose-Built for Data Security – A NAS designed to keep your data safe, the LS200 features a closed system to reduce vulnerabilities from 3rd party apps, SSL encryption for secure file transfers, and RAID for redundancy.
Things to Consider Before Buying Best Nas
NAS is an acronym for ” Network Attached Storage,” which translated means “network-connected storage.” This device allows you to store data and share it through a network safely, wired or Wi-Fi, with other devices such as PCs and smartphones.
The NAS server contains at least two hard disks inside and behaves like a private cloud that you can easily install inside your company, studio, or home.
What Exactly Is a Nas Server?
A NAS server is an extensive capacity network storage system that connects to a home or professional network. Its function is to make it possible to access all existing files and documents on any device on the web, without having to establish a direct connection with the unit in which they are located.
What Is a Nas Used For?
NAS servers can have several functions. Among the main ones, manage files on the network, install a personal streaming server, or offer a local system to a group of users. Also, they are often used to store recordings of IP surveillance cameras.
At the same time, they can be configured as servers connected to the Internet and, therefore, can perform functions similar to those shown by web storage or hosting services. So, you can use them as an email server or store your website. It is also possible to turn them into VPN servers.
What Are Nas Bays?
The spaces available to NAS servers for mounting hard drives are called a bay. In home-use NAS, one or two bays are usually sufficient. However, in devices for professional users or workplaces, it is necessary to have four or even twelve bays.
Keep in mind that each bay has an individual storage capacity. So if it is 10 GB, you cannot mount a 12 GB disk. Furthermore, energy consumption must be considered: the more bays there are, the higher this consumption. Hence, it is not recommended to choose NAS servers with more bay than necessary.
The Operating System that Manages the Nas
NAS devices don’t work with Windows. The big manufacturers have their own Linux-based operating systems, such as in the case of Synology DiskStation Manager, QTS of Qnap, or My Cloud of WD. However, there are also many free systems such as FreeNAS, NASlite, or Openfiler.
In general, all of them are quite simple to use. Some, like QNAP, Asustor, or Synology, can also be managed from the mobile phone. Besides, it is also essential to consider which applications each system has to manage email, FTP (File transfer protocol), and backup servers, among others.
The Processor
For a family environment, a 1 GHz Dual Core processor will be more than sufficient. Instead, for an office, you must think, at a minimum, of a quad-core processor. In general, mid-range models usually mount Intel Celeron processors, while professional ones use Intel i3 or Xeon.
RAM
The RAM you will need depends on the use you want to make of the NAS server. If you only need to save backup copies, you don’t have to worry too much about this. For home use, 512MB memory may be sufficient. Instead, it may be advisable for an office to have up to 8 GB of memory.
If you want to use it as a multimedia device to play content in high definition, you will need at least 1 GB of RAM. If you’re going to frequently use the NAS as a multimedia player in HD or 4K quality, you should think of a server equipped with 2 GB or more RAM.
Number and Storage Capacity of Disks
A NAS server can have a variable number of hard disk bays, which are called bays. Today it is possible to buy two and up to 12 bay NAS servers. Those with a single bay are now disappearing. Having a model of NAS server with multiple bays means having more storage space at your disposal.
A 2-bay model could prove to be the right choice in the home environment, for small offices, and when your storage needs are limited. A multi-bay NAS, however, is recommended for medium or large companies.
Hard Disk
When you choose a NAS without a hard disk, you will have to consider buying them separately and suitable for your needs.
One model hard disk model is not the other and is optimized for a specific use. There are hard drives on the market specifically designed to operate continuously 24/7, with high energy efficiency, suitable for working with video surveillance, video recording systems, etc.
The available hard drives are usually 6 TB or 8 TB. By purchasing a 2-bay NAS, you will have 12 TB of storage (2-bay x 6 TB corresponding to 12 TB), by choosing a 4-bay model, the space increases to 24 TB and so on.
Technical Features
One of the main advantages offered by the NAS server, compared to traditional storage methods such as HDD or pen drive, is the security in data storage.
NAS devices take advantage of the RAID configuration, which in English means “redundant array of independent disks,” a “redundant set of independent disks.”
This is a technique that allows you to divide the data between the disks inside the NAS in order to obtain better performance, greater tolerance against any malfunctions, and the guarantee of not losing the stored data.