| What is the best storage solution for SMBs facing | | | | operates at the block level. For users requiring access |
| unpredictable data growth—both data protection | | | | to files, NAS makes sense. Database and application |
| and right-now access to critical files for users? Of the | | | | servers that require block-level data can be |
| three most common storage architectures, direct | | | | supported with an iSCSI SAN solution, as mentioned |
| attached storage (DAS), network attached storage | | | | above. Depending on the file system in use, NAS |
| (NAS) and storage area networks (SAN), NAS should | | | | allows users do more advanced tasks, such as |
| be the first choice for most SMBs. | | | | specify usage quotas, enforce security constraints, |
| Affordable, Simple | | | | perform file indexing, and the other tasks. Your |
| NAS offers the cost-effectiveness of 10GB Ethernet | | | | operating system or the NAS appliances's OS then |
| with capabilities like SCSI over IP (iSCSI). | | | | permits those files to be shared on the network. |
| Furthermore, NAS filers communicate over a NFS and | | | | 4. Purpose-built for SMBs with value-added features |
| CIFS fibre channel while Storage Attached Network | | | | NAS devices were created for sharing files to |
| (SAN) devices transmit block-level data over FCP | | | | networked clients. But most also offer other |
| (Fibre Channel Protocol). Nearly any IT administrators | | | | features, such as multi-protocol file sharing, some kind |
| can make connections over a LAN or WAN to the | | | | of backup support, and rich file management tools |
| NAS data files. With SANs, users are restricted to | | | | like advanced quotas and utilization reporting. For |
| servers using SCSI Fibre connectivity, while NAS | | | | most SMBs, a NAS solution makes perfect sense. |
| configurations provide broader data file sharing over | | | | 5. Flexible growth strategy |
| both Windows and Unix operating systems. | | | | Virtualization: Since NAS filers are are designed to |
| NAS should be connected in the network where | | | | serve as a network drive, the increasing popularity of |
| adequate bandwidth supports the traffic generated | | | | virtualization is bringing its capabilities to the fore |
| by high data volume. NAS is an ideal solution for file | | | | again. It is far easier to use a networked drive to |
| centralization amongst corporate users, but for most | | | | store user files within a virtual server. Plus, frequently |
| midsize to enterprise companies requiring | | | | changing user files could degrade performance and |
| disk-intensive applications and that want | | | | strain backup processes on a virtual server. However, |
| enterprise-wide storage centralization for their | | | | getting a virtual server to map user partitions or |
| campus environment, a SAN is the solution. | | | | folders to a NAS solves this issue. NAS gateways: |
| Here are my Top 5 reasons NAS is the right pick for | | | | Users no longer face an either/or situation when |
| SMBs | | | | deciding which storage technology to pick. NAS |
| 1. Cost-effective solution | | | | gateways are a fairly new type of device that |
| Leverage existing capital investment in Ethernet. 10Gb | | | | behave much like SAN-attached file server, but with |
| Ethernet is fast enough for most SMB needs and | | | | improved performance and more advanced user |
| supports iSCSI. Staff IT generalists are usually | | | | management. Often a NAS gateway won't have any |
| adequate to administer/manage NAS. | | | | disk, and instead will use your SAN to supply the data |
| 2. iSCSI lets NAS filers to mimic SAN-like | | | | storage while intelligently serving files across your |
| functionalityiSCSI has low infrastructure or hardware | | | | network. So when your business does deploy truly |
| requirements. Often an industry-standard gigabit or | | | | demanding server applications such as large |
| 10Gb network card and switch will work. This enables | | | | databases, mail servers, and virtualization |
| many NAS appliances the capabilities of an iSCSI SAN. | | | | hosts—you can grow into a SAN while still utilizing |
| 3. Perform more advanced tasks | | | | NAS appliances. |
| A NAS devices works at the file level, while a SAN | | | | |