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What is a NAS?
A NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a dedicated device that connects to your network (usually your home or office Wi-Fi/router) and lets multiple devices store, access, and share files in one central place.
Think of it as your own private cloud, but physically sitting in your home or office instead of on the internet.
With a NAS you also need storage for your media, your NAS is simply the ‘server’ which provides you access to that media through whatever technology/apps you decide to use.
An amazing example of something that I completely replaced Google Photos for (and the subscription I used to pay for extra storage), I setup Immich which is an amazing open-sourced alternative with plenty of options and features.
What does a NAS do?
- Stores files (documents, photos, videos, backups)
- Lets multiple users/devices access those files
- Can stream media (movies, music) to TVs, phones, or computers
- Automatically backs up your devices
- Often runs apps like media servers or even small websites
A NAS can be a great way to reduce monthly bills by cancelling expensive subscriptions such as Netflix, Spotify, Paramount+, Google Photos and more. If there is a subscription based app you use, chances are their is an open-source alternative that you can setup on your NAS.
NAS vs Cloud Storage
NAS Device
- You own the hardware and have complete control over it
- No monthly fees for subscription services
- Faster when used locally (e.g. when connected to the same network)
- Far more private and secure than cloud services
Cloud Storage
- Stored on company servers
- Monthly or yearly subscription costs to continue using the services
- Requires faster internet connections when moving large amounts of data
- Little to no control over how your data is stored/processed
What can a NAS do?
A NAS has many uses that can both save you money on subscription costs, but also provide alternatives to popular tools. These include, but are not limited to:
Private Cloud Storage
A NAS can work like your own version of:
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- iCloud
You can:
- Sync files across devices
- Access files remotely
- Share links securely
- Keep data private
Security Camera Recording
A NAS can act as a surveillance hub:
- Record IP cameras
- Motion detection
- 24/7 recording
- Mobile viewing
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Apps & Services Hosting
NAS systems can run:
- Docker containers
- VPN servers
- Web servers
- Home automation
- Download managers
- Password managers
NAS vs DAS?
If you have ever researched a NAS before, you may have noticed their is also an alternative to a NAS called DAS (Direct Attached Storage).
A DAS is a cheaper alternative to a NAS, mainly because it is not a self-sufficient solution like a NAS. A NAS has its own RAM/Processor within it meaning it functions much like a mini-server where you can access the NAS via a network. Because a NAS connects directly to your network you can access the files/apps and services hosted on it via a network connection.
However a DAS requires it to be connected to an already functioning server/desktop computer.