What are network attached storage and storage area network. A nas device is a selfcontained file server thats preconfigured and ready to run. Todays technology has advanced so much that it has made our lives a lot easier and comfortable to live in. Today we will discuss what the difference is between a storage area network and network attached storage san vs nas. In addition, while san focuses on high performance and low latency, nas focuses on ease of use, manageability, scalability, and lower total cost of ownership tco. With reference to the chasm between nas and a file server, you need to remember certain fundamentals about the gamut.
Dec, 2010 what is the difference between san and nas. This paper provides an easytounderstand comparison of the storage. A nas device is nothing more than an inexpensive selfcontained file server. Nas network attached storage and san storage area network. Its easy to confuse the terms storage area network san and network attached storage nas. At the initial instance san and nas might seem to be mirror images of each other, infact in most cases any would work in a given situation as both usually use raid connected to a network which is later backedup. What is the difference between san and nas san vs nas.
A san stores data at the block level, while nas accesses data as files. The fibre channel of the san has a limit of around 10km at best. The number one difference in between a san and a nas is how they deal with data. Dec 22, 2010 the key difference between san and nas is that san is a block level data storage while nas is filelevel data storage todays technology has advanced so much that it has made our lives a lot easier and comfortable to live in. Nas s are more typically used in just file shares etc. We currently have 2 nas units storing backups but am needing another one due to adding more severs and needing to backup more data. Thanks to john mathews for the suggestion sydney pc. The key difference is that nas is file based storage and san is block based. When you are looking for local storage for business, there come two options. Jun 09, 2015 learn how you can help your company choose from a variety of storage options, from direct attached storage, to networkattached storage and storage area netw. Both nas and san share the common objectives of providing cost efficient and centralized management of all enterprise data with full sharing of any data by any computer to a single lock protected data image. A san commonly utilizes fibre channel interconnects. Dec 10, 2005 a storage area network san is a network designed to attach computer storage devices such as disk array controllers and tape libraries to servers.
This article provides tips on how to decide which data storage technology is best for your virtual environment. May 25, 2016 i am trying to figure out what to use for my company, a nas or san. This is easier grasped if you are familiar with unix because it makes an objective. San vs nas difference between a storage area network. A nas device is a server that runs an operating system specifically designed for handling files rather than block data. View notes san vs nas difference between a storage area network and network attached storage.
From this abstraction comes one of nas biggest advantages. A nas is a single storage device that operates on data files, while a san is a local network of several devices. These two storage architectures, both nas and san, are as much complementary as they are competitive and fill different needs and usage cases in the organization. A san is a network designed to attach storage hardware and software to servers. Nas network attached storage acts on file level over the network. Nas is reflected in how each type of storage appears to the user. Nas, short for networkattached storage is a file level computer data storage connected to a computer network that provides access to clients. At this point, you may be looking at the benefits of both san and nas wondering why you cant use them together. Network attached storage nas is more abstracted than san storage. Differences between san and nas its easy to confuse the terms storage area network san and network attached storage nas. Difference between san and nas with comparison chart. Nas works as a remote system, where file requests are redirected over a network to a nas device. Many businesses get a central file server nas setup fairly quickly, so they can. Virtualization what is the difference between a virtual and physical build computer.
Pdf performance analysis of nas and san storage for scientific. The key difference between san and nas is that san is a block level data storage while nas is file level data storage. Nas, these organizations use a combination of the two network types sometimes, in the same multiprotocol storage array. However, even enterprise it budgets are not infinite, and organizations need to optimize their storage expenditures to suit their priority requirements.
A storage area network is a dedicated, highperformance storage system that transfers blocklevel data between servers and storage devices. Factors which determine using either of the network storage solutions. Difference between nas and san data storage spiceworks. A nas identifies data by file name and byte offsets, transfers file data or file metadata file s owner, permissions, creation data, etc. It is the traditional description, definition and depiction of a file server. The protocols used in san are scsi, fibre channel or sata.
A simple and relatively inexpensive way to add more storage to your network is to use network attached storage, also known as nas. San is a dedicated network that interconnects multiple users to access block level data storage. Some disk systems allow the aggregate disk capacity to be carved into partitions subsets of capacity. What are the difference between nas and file server. Today you will find out whether it is nas or san that fits your needs. We currently have 2 nas units storing backups but am needing another one due to adding more severs and needin. The media used to directly connect storage to the server can. Here is an example of a nas affiliate what is a nas.
Inversely, in nas files are used to generate backup and mirror. The major difference between nas and san storage usage depends on. Information technology has helped us become more effective and efficient in every aspect of daytoday work. On the contrary, nas involves protocols such as nfs or cifs. Basics and application of fibre channel san, nas, iscsi, infiniband and fcoe, second edition. Jan 31, 2018 today we will discuss what the difference is between a storage area network and network attached storage san vs nas. In san the file system is handled by servers, whereas in nas the head unit controls file system. While network attached storage nas device is a server connected to a network with the sole purpose of providing storage. Since every laptop is defined to have a computer in it, the question is answered by rifling through your brai. Another way to consider differences between a san attached array and a nas is that a nas generally has a filesystem and organizes data in terms of files. Everyone is familiar with a physical computer, lets take a look we all know what this is though we may not know the name, so heres a video to refresh your memory san a storage area network. Read about the difference between san and nas, how to compare san vs. Nfs is, or can be, a san so you have an issue with definitions.
Storage systems play a crucial part in any organizations computers. Apr, 2020 using a software program provided with the nas hardware, a network administrator can set up automatic or manual backups and file copies between the nas and the other connected devices. First it is best to define the difference between a block device and filesystem. A typical definition of a san could be sans primarily are used.
Even san storage can also be considered as an equipment that has its own processingcomputing power. What is the difference between a file server and an nas. Almost every form of data exchange you make on a daily basis can be broken down into three groups. Sans are primarily used to enhance accessibility of storage devices, such as disk arrays and tape libraries, to servers so that the devices appear to the operating system as locallyattached devices. A san addresses data by disk block number and transfers raw disk blocks.
Network attached storage is a file level storage system served as a local area network lan node. This post will focus on the difference between nas and san and gives a comparison over nas vs san. Storage networks explained storage networks explained. Only thing id say differently is that a nas doesnt necessarily connect over your primary data network.
Nas devices access files using a remote protocol, such as smb or nfs. Certainly a 1gbps nfs storage solution used over a network shared with other traffic is likely to be slower than a dedicated 1040100gbps fcoe network, but then again you can run nfs at those speeds and over a dedicated network. Jul 20, 2018 what is the difference between a nas network attached storage and a san storage area network. Nas device vendors require users to choose one of their own applications rather than choosing any thirdparty software. However, nas is ethernetbased, while san can use ethernet and fibre channel. A nas system or device is attached to a network via a standard ethernet connection, so it appears to users like any other networkconnected device. Whats the difference between a file server and a nas device. A storage area network san provides a pool of storage resources that can be centrally managed and allocated as needed, but how is a san different. Difference between san and nas is that storage area network san is a highspeed network with the sole purpose of providing storage to other servers to which it is attached.
I have heard of san but have no clue how to set one up or really what the heck a san is. Nas is designed as an easy and selfcontained solution for sharing files over the network. Unlike san, nas storage controllers partition the storage and then own the file system. San connects to only those devices that have scsi fibre channel and belong to the server class. A nas allows greater sharing of information especially between disparate. I am trying to figure out what to use for my company, a nas or san.
Difference between a storage area network san and network. Nas vs san network attached storage vs storage area network. The easy difference between san and nas data storage. San, short for storagearea network, is a dedicated network that allows multiple users to access block level data storage. To a client os, a san typically appears as a disk and exists as its own separate network of storage devices, while nas. A storage area network san or storage network is a computer network which provides access to consolidated, blocklevel data storage. Whats more, most nas setups also include administrative software to help manage file serving, automatic backups and other functions a nas is commonly used for. Oct 22, 2019 from a server application and os standpoint, there is no visible difference between accessing data in a san or storage that is directly connected. San vs nas difference between a storage area network and network attached storage submitted by sarath pillai on sat, 04192014 20. But a typical difference between san and nas is that, a nas is a single storage device which operates on data files, whereas san is a local network. Differences in appearance the first thing to look at when debating if you are using a san or a nas is how the operating system sees the storage. San vs nas difference between a storage area network and. File servers offer greater processing power and as a result, theyre more expensive.
A helpful guide when it comes to networkbased storage, networkattached storage nas and storagearea networks san are two popular choices that complement each other. Nas network attached storage network attached storage, compared to server attached storage on the other hand is a dedicated file server optimized to do just one function only and do it well file serving. Therefore, a nas device is also useful for the opposite reason. Overview of windows storage technologies including direct attached. The backup and mirrors are made using blocks in san.
Its kind of like asking whats the difference between a computer and a laptop. Both refer to relatively new network technologies that let you manage the disk storage on your network. It differs from traditional, directly attached storage in that, in nas, the operating system and other software on the nas product are dedicated solely to data storage. Instead of blocks, data lives in volumes that are made up files and folders. In contrast, nas can connect the devices that exist in a lan and able to utilise protocol such nfs or cifs. Because nas traces its roots back to microsoft file sharing, as well as novells netware, nas automatically supports a number of modern networking protocols and file systems. The protocol of nas is nfs while san uses encapsulated scsi. All you have to do to set it up is take it out of the box, plug it in, and turn it on. The reality is that they are completely different products that serve different purposes, and often coexist together in the same environment. San storage area network is a blocklevel storage protocol, meaning data is stored and accessed in blocks. With the difference in functionality between file servers and nas devices comes a difference in cost.
Network attached storage nas is a device for storing data over the n. The user connects to the nas to access files on it. San is typically used in data centers, enterprises or virtual computing environments. However, nas is a much simpler and less expensive technology. If your organization deals with large amounts of unstructured data, nas might be a better option.