Since that Network Attached Storage is using hard drives connected to network, it is often compared with cloud storage. This article will expose their main differences from 4 facets.
As we all know, data backup is extremely important in that it will contribute a lot to data recovery. For example, when Outlook crashes and Outlook data is corrupt, if we’re keeping a current backup, we can easily recover damaged Outlook data from the backup. In the meantime, with data backup increasingly vital, more and more data storage options also spring out, including local storage, cloud storage and the Network Attached Storage (NAS).
Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a combination of local storage via hard drive and the cloud storage. Thus, many users tend to recognize it as a “private cloud”. Hence, a myriad of comparisons between the Network Attached Storage (NAS) and cloud storage come forward. As a saying goes, every coin has two sides. The same holds true for the two kinds of storage. Both have their own pros and cons. Here we will compare them from 4 perspectives.
1. Data Security
If you are using the cloud storage service, unquestionably, your data is controlled by cloud server provider. In contrast, if you’re using Network Attached Storage (NAS), you are holding your data on your own. In this situation, you need to take full consideration of how important your data and whether you’re willing to store them in third party. However, most cloud storage services can offer users two-factor authentication, which is a second layer of protection. In comparison, only a few Network Attached Storage (NAS) support this feature.
2. Data Backup
Network Attached Storage (NAS) can be configured to work on RAID, which can provide data redundancy and can tolerate the failure of one of the drives. But it still cannot protect your data against damage of the Network Attached Storage (NAS) device itself. Therefore, you will need to employ an additional backup solution. By comparison, cloud storage plays a better role in this respect. After you upload data to the cloud, it will automatically be protected and ensured by the service provider. The data on cloud won’t be hurt due to damages of your local devices.
3. Ease of Use
There is no denying that Network Attached Storage (NAS) is becoming more and more user-friendly. Even so, for most newbies, configuring servers is still blazing complex. In contrast, the cloud storage is much easier to operate. Users don’t need to cope with these complicated configurations. The service providers have completed it for them. Also, a majority of cloud storage services have their own applications, which enable users to manage their remote storage on their own computers and even smartphones.
4. Price
Most cloud storage services will offer users a certain amount of storage space for free. But if you run out of the free storage space and long for more, you will have to pay for the additional space. If you just would like to store a limited amount of data, the cloud storage must be a better choice. But if for heavy use, the cloud will be considerably expensive. By contrast, purchasing a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device is just a fixed payment. If you demand more storage space, you can just attach additional hard drives to it.
Author Introduction:
Shirley Zhang is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including repair SQL mdf file error and outlook repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com
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