Network-attached storage (NAS) devices have become an increasingly popular data storage solution for both home and business use. As the amount of digital data we create and store continues to grow exponentially, having a dedicated storage system with ample capacity, fast performance, and useful features is more important than ever.
But with so many NAS products on the market, how do you know which one is right for your needs? The ideal NAS device is one that balances storage capacity, speed, connectivity, and useful features. Here are the top 10 capabilities and functions every NAS system should have:
1. Multiple Drive Bays
More drive bays allow you to add higher capacity hard drives as your storage needs grow. Look for a NAS with at least 4 bays, with the ability to expand to 8 or more. The more bays, the more storage potential.
2. RAID Support
A NAS should support key RAID levels like RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10. RAID provides data protection through redundancy and allows you to optimize drive configurations for speed or data security.
3. Hot Swappable Drives
Hot swappable bays let you add or replace drives without shutting down the system. This avoids downtime and makes expanding your storage on the fly quick and convenient.
4. High-Speed Connectivity
Look for gigabit ethernet ports for connecting to your wired network, along with fast USB 3.0 ports. Some NAS systems also include Thunderbolt 3 ports for blazing 40Gbps speeds.
5. Link Aggregation Support
Link aggregation combines multiple network connections to enhance bandwidth and throughput. This provides faster speeds when transferring large files to and from your NAS.
6. Remote Access
Access your NAS over the internet from anywhere so you can manage your files and media remotely. Secure remote access protocols like OpenVPN are preferable.
7. Media Streaming
A good NAS allows you to stream videos, music, and photos to devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices. Media streaming takes advantage of your NAS without needing to copy files.
8. Real-time Backup
Continuous data protection through real-time or scheduled backups to the NAS keep your files safe. Back up computers, servers, cloud data, or external drives.
9. File Syncing and Sharing
Securely sync, share, and collaborate on files stored on your NAS. Useful for work teams to access centralized data and exchange files.
10. Scalability
As your storage needs evolve, your NAS should allow you to expand storage capacity and available features. Prioritize systems with upgrade potential through additional drives, memory, ports, and apps.
While specific features will depend on your budget and needs, aiming for a NAS with these core capabilities will provide a future-proof foundation. With robust storage capacity, fast connectivity, the latest data protection, and room to scale up, your NAS will keep pace as your data storage demands continue to grow.
Brands like UGREEN offer NAS storage systems with these essential features to store, protect, and access your data from anywhere.
