Network Attached Storage

Definition

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

1. [Storage System] A term used to refer to storage elements that connect to a network and provide file access services to computer systems.

These elements generally consist of an engine that implements the file services, and one or more devices, on which data is stored.

2. [Network] A class of systems that provide file services to host computers using file access protocols such as NFS or CIFS. See storage area network.

• Source Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) definition

Differences between a SAN and a NAS

See the discussion on Storage Area Network#Differences between a SAN and a NAS

See also

• Storage Area Network (SAN)