HP StorageWorks 8000 NAS - Manual (Page 11)

HP NAS 8000 Overview 9
HP NAS 8000 Overview
What is NAS?
Network-attached storage (NAS) is a storage solution attached to a network
that is optimized for file sharing and serving. NAS provides a simple,
reliable, and cost-effective way to add storage to networks. Because a NAS
device is designed specifically for storage, it requires minimal setup and is
easily maintained. NAS devices also have built-in redundancy features to
protect against failure and downtime.
A NAS solution typically consists of a server, a set of disk drives, a custom
operating system, and a built-in web interface for managing storage. NAS
devices provide file services to a mixture of clients that operate in a
heterogeneous network environment. A NAS device can be added to an
existing LAN network to increase storage capacity.
How is NAS different from SAN (Storage Area Network)? In many respects
they are similar and can use the same hardware, but the SAN requires its
own high-speed storage network, while the NAS lives on an already existing
LAN. A NAS device is designed to move files, whereas the SAN is designed
to provide block-level data at high speeds to application servers. SAN
solutions are typically more difficult to implement and more expensive than
NAS solutions.
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