There are many factors to consider when choosing a network attached storage device.
Here are a things to think about when making a decision
Capacity of NAS – max capacity
When it comes to NAS, always ask yourself, how much storage do you need? Consider both the amount of data you have now and the amount of data you will need in the future. Some NAS system has room for expansion with additional hard drives. Also to take note that there are maximum capacity or hard disk drives bay you can insert for certain NAS.
Usually, you can safely start with low capacity to save some money. Then when the need comes, you can just buy additional hard disk drives to slot them in. It will automatically sync and you will be able to access the free capacity in a matter of hours to days.
Speed of NAS – max speed
There is a limit to the speed you can access your NAS. Whether it is the speed of your hard drives, speed of your SSDs or your network ethernet cable connection speed. You should consider what is the purpose of NAS you will be using it for. Will you need it just for storing your data and backups. Or do you need it to do live video editing, which in that case you will need an upgraded ethernet network connection eg. 10 GbE connection instead of 1 GbE. Some NAS devices offer the ability to upgrade the ethernet network connection.
Also to take note that if you frequently need to transfer large files often, then consider upgrading to a higher ethernet connection speed to save time.
File System of NAS
Most NAS systems use Network File System (NFS) protocol, while some use the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol instead. Consider which protocol suits your system best as it will make life easier to connect your device to the NAS seamlessly.
Compatibility of NAS – with computer system
Make sure your NAS is compatible with multiple operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, Android and Linux. While most popular brands such as Synology can support multiple OS, some do not. It is important to choose one that is compatible for ease of use.
Brand and reputation of NAS
It is always wiser to choose a reputable brand for hardware and software support. Popular brands such as Synology and QNAPs cannot go wrong. They are good investments that you can trust. Some of the NAS can even last more than 10 years, more than their shelf life. But it is always best to upgrade the system if it has been more than a decade since technology gets obsolete rather fast.
Price of NAS
Yes, when it comes to making a decision, price is often the main deciding factor. Determine your budget and look for systems that offer the features you need within your price range. You can start off by choosing a lower hard drive capacity and upgrade in the future when the need comes. Adding RAM or upgrading to 10 GbE ethernet connection might not be useful to you if you only store images and regular backups of your personal computer and phone. Anyway, you can always upgrade when the need rises. So always go for the minimum first and upgrade accordingly.
Number of drives in NAS
Some NAS system come with a single hard drive, while some have room for multiple drives. If you need a lot of storage or require the option to expand in the future, NAS with multiple drives is a good choice. It is always a bad idea to buy a NAS with a single hard drive because in the event of a single hard drive failure, your data is essentially gone. If you have two or more hard drives in a NAS, you can set up a RAID to automatically duplicate and create redundancies so that in the event of a single hard drive failure, your data is still intact.
Processor and RAM of NAS
Decide what you are going to use your NAS for. Will you need to use for power intensive usage such as streaming video on your TV via Plex? You will have to decide which processor that can support transcoding. Also consider the amount of RAM if you need it.
Backup options
Consider a NAS that has built-in backup option. The ability to create scheduled backups or replicate data to another NAS is handy and should require only initial set up and you are good to go. In the event of a failure, you can rest assured the data is backed up in another place which you can access to.
Additional features of NAS
A NAS is basically a server computer. So it can do whatever a computer can do. It can also run third party apps, it can host a website or run python codes on loops. You can also use docker to run code. It all depends on your needs and what you plan on using your NAS for. However it is not advisable to run too many apps as you potentially open your NAS to potential loopholes for hackers to access to. If you are using it for storing private and personal data, only allow minimum access and consider best safety practices.
If you are planning to use a NAS for experimental purpose, you should get a separate NAS. So that if your NAS gets hacked, your private data is still safe.
Form factor of NAS
Some NAS come in a small form factor while some are really huge and bulky. You will need a place to store your NAS. You should always place it near to your router so that your ethernet cable does not have to travel far to your router. Also choose a place that has proper air ventilation. This is because it can get hot and dusty quite fast. Also you should consider extra space for a universal power supply (UPS) plugged with your NAS.
Connectivity of NAS
Does your NAS support USB? In the case you want to transfer data via USB, you can easily plug it in and transfer it. Also to consider the type of USB, which can affect the speed of your transfer. However, on most cases, a NAS is always connected via ethernet cable to your router and rarely need USB connectivity.
Ease of use of NAS
Most branded NAS like Synology are really easy to use. When you buy a Synology NAS, you essentially are buying their professional built in software and support. They are easy to use and will save you a lot of time debugging.
Warranty and support of NAS
Just like ease of use, warranty and support of a NAS of a reputable brand is essential. In the event your NAS power supply fails, or your data is inaccessible, you can always contact their support for help.
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