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Network storage systems organize and save computer data efficiently. Direct Attached Storage saves data on a computer’s internal hard drive, while Network Attached Storage saves data to another computer system connected via a network. Other options include web hosting, tape machines, and external hard drives.
A network storage system helps organize and save critical information created on a computer in an efficient and accessible way. The most basic form of network storage is saving the contents of a computer onto a disk or CD-Rom and storing it in a safe place. This method works well if the information doesn’t need to be changed frequently, but it rarely does. Typically, a user needs to edit and update files frequently. Therefore, backing up a person’s computer files to disk can be time consuming and inconvenient.
Direct Attached Storage (DAS) refers to a network storage system where data is saved on a computer’s internal hard drive. These files are saved directly to your computer’s disk space and can be easily retrieved at any time. This is the most commonly used means of network storage, although it can also become the most annoying, as your computer runs out of disk space, slowing down your computer.
Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a type of network storage system that saves data to another computer system connected to a group of computers via a network or to a special server connected to the network. In this case, a mainframe computer is usually connected to a number of other workstations. The mainframe computer is used to save all files and workstations can access the mainframe via special links.
An alternative to this form of network storage is to have a host computer in a remote location where members can store their important files. Web hosting is an example of this method. A person pays to rent space on the Internet. Here, the person’s website files can be saved using another company’s computer space. These network storage systems tend to cost an extra 1000 US dollars (USD) to install, so they are one of the more expensive options for network storage.
You can also purchase special tape machines and add them to an existing computer system as a means of network storage. These machines back up all computer information to a special data cassette. These cassettes can become damaged, so proper storage of backup system information is essential. At over $600 per system, tape archiving may not be the best option for personal use.
External hard drives are another excellent network storage option. External hard drives can be easily connected to an existing computer. The additional disk space provides a place where system information can be stored. External hard drives are affordable, usually under $250, but they may not be the best option for businesses that need to store large amounts of information.
