Network-attached storage (NAS), Direct attached storage (DAS) and Storage area network (SAN) all are network storage solutions. You might be familiar with these terms. While familiar you might not know about what a DAS is.  You might be in limbo to choose between NAS VS DAS. Or even beyond this, what to choose between SAN, NAS, and DAS. DAS VS NAS: Topic of Complexity and Difficulty 

Any system needs to operate with a proper back. Storage solutions that are reliable and efficient in the performance of the operation. We will mention in this article all about NAS and DAS. First to begin with, what is DAS? 

What is a DAS? 

To talk about what is a DAS, the storage device works familiar to the way an external hard drive works. ATA, SATA, USB, and FireWire all fall under the component of the definition of what is a DAS. A file system is important for the working of the DAS unit where the system will be providing drivers to. There is direct access to a multitude of sectors of the disk in a DAS system. Similar to how an internal hard drive works. Now, do you have a better idea of what is a DAS? One can’t be able to proceed in a discussion of NAS, DAS, and SAN.

What are NAS and SAN? What are NAS and SAN? 

NAS 

NAS is typically used to store large data and for performing a backup. The NAS system works by being connected to LAN. Thereafter the data gets shared with the system connected with the LAN.  

The file system of NAS is set up through NAS configuration and is independent of the system it is connected with. NAS will work through a medium to aid in the connection of multiple computers. Different file-sharing networks such as AFP or CIFS can all be used to aid connection to the files in the network. 

A brief about SAN now, then we will head to NAS vs DAS. 

SAN 

SAN is used for the transferring of block-level data between different storage devices and servers. SAN is generally known for its high-performance storage system. The transfer of data operations taking place in a variety of data centers and virtual computing environments and other enterprises is usually through SAN. 

The working design of the SAN system is complex and is thus to operate in complex and critical applications. So with a brief idea of SAN and NAS and DAS, what they entail. Let’s delve into a fledged discussion of NAS VS DAS. What will be generally better for your system between DAS VS NAS?  

We will end with an elaboration of NAS VS DAS VS SAN.

DAS VS NAS 

Speed

To begin, the aspect of speed needs to be addressed in the conversation of DAS vs NAS. DAS is faster in working than NAS. This is largely due to the operation connections present such as a USB or SAS. The presence of such systems caters to high-speed performance of hundreds/gigabytes per second (MB/s). 

Though, the NAS systems work via a gigabit network Ethernet connection. The lowest speed is around 100 and 109 megabytes/sec. The single standard Ethernet connection despite providing speeds around 100 Mbytes/sec. The speed can be as much as quadrupled. The network interface of NAS can be upgraded using link aggregation and is available on various affordable NAS systems. You can use adapters or upgrade cards that are affordable and all will increase the speed by various manifolds. 

Despite all of that in the debate between NAS  and DAS talking of speed. DAS holds a considerable amount of speed advantage over NAS.

DAS VS NAS: Topic of Complexity and Difficulty 

Speed is one thing, but complexity and difficulty are important co-components that demand discussion. The DAS VS NAS debate will again probably tip the scales in favor of DAS. DAS is much simpler to use in comparison to NAS. 

The use of USB drives and enclosures provided with RAID is a plugging-and-play technique connected to the system. This simplicity thus gets difficult in case of performing a backup. 

In the NAS vs DAS conversation. NAS lovers will tell you how difficult it can be to use DAS for a full or even a semi-automated backup strategy. DAS demands a long list of third-party software and a third-party cloud system integrated into the software environment. This holds even while sharing large files to remote systems.

NAS on the other hand allows easy sharing of files and data through safety and reliability. 

The last things we need to talk about for NAS VS DAS before entering into SAN VS NAS VS DAS are price and value. 

Value of Price in NAS VS DAS

For home users, we always suggest DAS. DAS simply offers a more varied and simpler range of external drives. At an affordable overall cost in comparison to NAS.

Unless you are searching for value, NAS becomes better than NAS VS DAS. The features and operations NAS offer owing to the backup tools integrated software with manageable applications GUI and web browser. The functioning is all comfortably better. The operating systems support mapped network drives, real-time synchronization software, and a file manager or local file system. You can connect all to access NAS. 

So what did you find yourself leaning toward in the DAS vs NAS dilemma? If you are a home user, simply use DAS. For other purposes, NAS just triumphs if you ask us about NAS VS DAS. 

SAN Vs NAS Vs DAS What is a DAS? 

To say in brief the difference lies in the SAN VS NAS VS DAS between the costs and the storage share and the scalability. DAS uses IDE/SCSI while NAS uses TCP/IP and Ethernet while SAN uses Fiber Channel and IP for the transmission of data.       

SAN vs NAS vs DAS is all used and used well in their ways. So the option to stick will depend on your needs. We would suggest basing the decision on the amount of storage capacity you will be needing. The budget you can afford, and the disaster recovery requirements. 

What Are You Choosing?  

There you have it, all the basics and important pieces of information about NAS vs DAS, and then SAN vs NAS vs DAS. Whatever you go for, base it on your requirements and the price. The choice between DAS and NAS is entirely dependent on what suits you more. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Can You use a NAS as a DAS?

Yes, in case you are still learning the basics of NAS. You can continue to use NAS as a DAS. The mechanisms of iOS and Android are user-friendly to use and also allow remote access. You can perform all this without knowing much about how NAS works.  

Q.2 What is the advantage of DAS over NAS?

DAS has a cheap overall price setup in comparison to NAS. It is easier to use and configure and offers high performance. DAS offers a simpler varied range of external drives. 

Q.3 What is the difference between NAS SAN and DAS?

The main underlying difference between NAS, SAN, and DAS. DAS uses the storage mechanisms hard drive storage with sectors, while NAS uses shared files and SAN uses block storage. DAS uses IDE/SCSI while NAS uses TCP/IP and Ethernet while SAN uses Fiber Channel and IP for the transmission of data.