Network-attached storage (NAS) is hard disk storage that is set up with its own network address rather than being attached to the department computer that is serving applications to a network's workstation users. By removing storage access and its management from the department server, both application programming and files can be served faster because they are not competing for the same processor resources. The network-attached storage device is attached to a local area network (typically, an Ethernet network) and assigned an IP address. File requests are mapped by the main server to the NAS file server.

SMB (Small and medium business) has typically the same requirement as that of enterprises even though on a smaller scale. They need to basically share the file and print resources available on their LAN to make their employees collaborate in meeting the objectives of organization. While this can typically be rendered by commonly available hardware and software in the market, it is becoming critical for organizations of various sizes to ensure that their “urgent” IT investments does not result in an wastage of their investment over the longer run. With this in the background, it has become critical that organizations move over from direct attached storage in their networks to Network Attached Storage. Fortunately, this movement of storage from direct connection to network connection comes in without any overheads – administration time and any additional cost that might be required.

A NAS device simply plugs into a network and operates at the maximum speed available in the network backbone. While DAS increases the storage capacity for a single node in the network, NAS storage subsystem increases the storage capacity of all nodes in the network. This is also applicable when the individual nodes are running different Operating systems on each of them and still a NAS device would be able to seamlessly share the storage space across the various nodes. An added benefit is that the entire NAS device can be managed centrally from a single system in the network with or without any specific software to be installed. Deploying a NAS system saves an organization from a costly investment in hardware, software/OS license fees as well as dedicated support staff that might be required.