NAS (Network attached storage) drives may like a dull aspect of technology, yet they are often really helpful tools that can even save lives. The top NAS drives are here so you can design your private cloud storage system for your home or place of business.
Music, documents, videos, and other media types can be backed up and stored on NAS systems. On them, you may even install applications enabling them to carry out tasks like managing your home security cameras, downloading data automatically, and even hosting a website.
Although Synology is famous for producing some of the best NAS drives, many excellent alternatives are available from companies like QNAP, TerraMaster, and Western Digital and are frequently less expensive. Sadly, the competition isn’t as strong these days because companies like Drobo, Netgear, Seagate, and Buffalo are not active in this area.
What we will see here?
What is NAS?
A NAS device is a storage device linked to a network that enables permitted network users and clients to store and retrieve data from a central location. Because NAS devices are adaptable and scale out, you may increase their capacity as you need more storage. NAS is comparable to having a private cloud at work. It offers all the advantages of a public cloud on-site, is quicker, less expensive, and gives you total control.
With a NAS, data is always available, facilitating employee collaboration, quick customer response, and swift follow-up on sales or other issues because all the data is in one location. Since NAS functions similarly to a private cloud, employees can work wherever they are at any time by using a network connection to access data remotely.
WD My cloud
With its unapologetically consumer-friendly My Cloud offerings, which broadcast to any DLNA-compliant device and are accessible via smartphone apps for iOS and Android, WD has gained quite a bit of success.
This WD, available as a “personal cloud,” is among the best NAS drives available and starts at 2TB of capacity (It is also available in 3 or 4TB). Because there is just one drive because it is a one-bay machine, it cannot backup itself. However, a USB connector on the rear allows it to back up to an external hard drive.
QNAP TS-253D
The QNAP TS-253D is the best NAS device for pure backup power because of its superb out-of-the-box hardware specifications, upgradeability choices, and extensive compatibility for cloud storage solutions.
Having various choices for keeping your data safe is essential when securing backups. QNAP tends to lean more strongly toward the business side of things, which makes it difficult for it in many at-home usage scenarios.
More than 30 different cloud backup services are available natively by the QNAP TS-253D, ranging from widely popular consumer choices like Google Home and Dropbox to business- or programming services like OpenStack Swift or Rackspace. Additionally, setting up backups to other NAS devices, both local and distant, is simple, and everything is in the Hybrid Backup Sync program.
TerraMaster F5-422
For those who cannot afford Synology or QNAP models, TerraMaster continues to provide exceptional value for the money in the NAS drive market.
A lot can be done with an additional drive, even though the F5-422 could just seem like a 5-bay variant of the F4 for more money. However, it lacks USB 3.2 Gen 2 and a PCIe slot. You can intelligently use it as a network resource and a local storage device simultaneously.
The flexibility to expand the RAM to 12GB if you’d want, plenty of processing power, and 10GbE LAN all add to the appeal. Over time, the TOS 4.2 OS has significant improvement.
WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra
This machine is out in the market for small business use and includes Microsoft Active Directory functionality and RAID capabilities available in more expensive and complex NAS devices. It also functions as an FTP server, file server, backup server, and P2P download server, not to mention other things.
Although this pricing is for the 4TB version, the WD EX series also comes in diskless versions. There are also 8TB, 12TB, and 16TB models for sale. Choose the My Cloud Mirror if none of this extra stuff is necessary.
QNAP TS-230
As the best Synology substitute at the moment, the QNAP TS-230 would rank alongside the DS220j if we can just do joint first.
It doesn’t just have the typical black or silver style; it also comes with 2GB of DDR4 RAM, as usual, to run programs smoothly. Some people would change their minds if Synology’s platform included more apps and BTRFS.
The QNAP TS-230 is still a great bargain NAS drive that’s simple and ideal for home or small office use, even on EXT4.
Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro AS3302T
The Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro AS3302T is for the users who are adopting faster LANs than 1Gbit at their homes and small businesses.
The most recent ADM 4.0 operating system is a fantastic upgrade delivering a fast interface and many features, even though it isn’t a cheap NAS. It delivers better LAN performance for customers running 2.5GbE.
Applications from Asustor and other third parties are available for various functions, but make sure they have the features your deployment requires.
TerraMaster F2-210
The TerraMaster is a fantastic value in the world of NAS drives as far as a 2-bay drive suffices. It is well-built, simple to set up and use, and operates quietly and well.
Importantly, it offers many exact specifications and functionality as much more expensive competitors like Synology. This is an attractive option if you simply want a reasonably primary NAS drive for usage at home or in a small office without spending much money.
For jobs including basic file serving, backup, and management, the F2-210 is ideal.
Can you utilize a NAS drive on a PC?
YES. As far as the connection is suitable, you can utilize it like any other desktop drive. However, there is a concern that you need to be aware of: NAS HDDs use TLER technology.
What distinguishes a NAS from an external hard drive?
While network-assisted storage can hold your data, video, and other documents exactly as well as an external hard drive can, NAS is much more versatile and capable. The phrase “hard disc with a brain” has also been used to describe NAS. NAS are essentially computers.
NAS: Is the Internet necessary?
There won’t be any internet access available. Mobile devices with internal WiFi shut off are available in this. Network Attached Storage, or NAS, refers to the technology, essentially a tiny computer with a hard drive attached.
Conclusion:
Network-attached storage is famous as NAS. Simply said, it’s a sizable hard disk that attaches to your network so you can access the storage without plugging directly into it.
They always make it simple to access your papers, images, movies, and music. Media playback is among the most popular uses for NAS drives. You can watch your video library on your TV without a laptop connection. Similar to owning your own Netflix account.
Similar to your own personal Spotify, you may use an app on your phone to manage music listening. A NAS drive may consume a lot less energy than a typical PC. It’s difficult to top a standalone NAS drive for simplicity of installation and operation.
