Storage Tips for SMBs

NAS vs DAS
Understand why network attached storage is ideal
for small businesses to protect their data

As your business grows, so will the volume of data that you produce. A NAS device is essentially storage that is accessible over the network.
However, this growth can make it hard to quickly find the data you However, many NAS devices today provide additional features that make
need, as well as prevent it from getting lost forever. For example, it essential to any business. For example, with a NAS device, all the
important files such as customer information, project documents, computers on your network can be automatically backed up to a central
designs, and legal materials may be stored in multiple locations. This location, thus ensuring all critical business data from every employee’s
can include desktops, laptops, CDs, USB flash drives, as well as inside systems are always available on demand. For an extra level of security,
email attachments. the NAS can even be physically located away from the computers you
are protecting, as long as it is connected over the network.
What should businesses expect from their
storage solution? Centralized Storage
Compared to DAS, NAS devices offer a solution to businesses
Business storage should make it easy for employees to access their
looking for a way to disseminate files across all operating platforms.
files, no matter if they are inside the office, at home, or on the road.
A good example of this would be providing seamless access and
Furthermore, business storage should deliver the highest levels of
data exchange between PCs and Macs. By installing a NAS solution,
reliability and protection. Rather than using direct attached storage
businesses can drastically increase the speed of their network to
(DAS) such as portable USB hard drives to store data, more and more
reduce downtime, frustration, lost productivity and profitability that
businesses are turning to network attached storage (NAS), due to the
result from insufficient or mismanaged data storage. NAS systems are
additional functionality and security benefits they provide.
completely dedicated to storage, making them an ideal solution for
improving the speed and functionality of the network.

The table below compares NAS with DAS, as well as with a file server (essentially a separate PC where users can store files).

NAS DAS File Server

What is it A dedicated storage device with its External additional capacity that A dedicated computer system with
own operating system and processor, attaches to one computer system at a server operating system to host
plugged into the corporate network a time over a USB, eSATA or Firewire and share files, with the potential
to provide access to multiple users port to provide additional functionality
depending on the software and
hardware devices installed

How users Over the network through an Ethernet Directly connected to a single Over the network. Users see the
connect to it cable. Users see the NAS as an computer through the USB, eSATA or volume as an additional drive letter
additional drive on their computer Firewire port on their computer

Setup and Just plug and play into the network. Plug and play. No additional Complex setup of operating system,
management Uses its own simple browser functionality to manage hardware settings, and additional
interface for setup features. May require setup from an
IT professional

Ability to share Access over the network and over No ability to share data amongst Access over the network, but
data among users the Web using a simple management multiple users simultaneously requires complex server setup to
interface share files over the Web

Ability to grow with Add more storage when needed, with Connects to a single computer at a Allows the addition of more drives,
the business no impact to users, thus reducing time, making backup and sharing but requires additional hardware and
downtime between multiple computers difficult software setup

Setup and Low - Medium Low High

operating costs

From the table above, NAS is an attractive investment that delivers way to increase storage capacity. Implementing a NAS solution is. In
great value in comparison to costly alternative solutions. Since a comparison, not only are NAS solutions easy to set up, but they are
NAS is purpose-built for storage, with its own OS, processor and also easy to use. Intuitive software programs guide you in managing
RAM, the total cost of ownership is lower in the long run. Expanding your network and getting the most out of your NAS solution – they are
the capacities of existing file servers might be expensive in terms of designed with simplicity in mind.
hardware and time resources. Expanding servers is not a cost-effective

20101208 Seagate BlackArmor Article NAS vs DAS.indd 5 1/7/11 10:29 AM

 True business-class network storage - Seagate® BlackArmor® NAS
The Seagate BlackArmor NAS is a family of networked storage devices resources know how daunting it can be to configure data sharing and
that makes it fast and easy for small businesses to centralize and automate data backup. The BlackArmor NAS is incredibly easy to
expand their storage, while automating the protection and recovery of install, with useful functionality out of the box that is up and running in
their valuable data. BlackArmor is ideal for business customers looking minutes with minimal effort.
for data protection solutions that are simple, proven, and reliable.
But the most important feature is BlackArmor’s data protection
With 1 Bay, 2 Bay and 4 Bay options, Seagate BlackArmor NAS capabilities. Integrated award-winning backup software from Acronis
provides a host of access, backup and recovery features designed for - along with Apple Time Machine support - makes it easy to schedule
small businesses - whether they use Windows PCs, Macs, UNIX, or full and incremental data backups of every personal computer or Mac
Linux machines. Designed and manufactured by Seagate, BlackArmor in your network. And if a hardware problem were to occur, SafetyDrill+
NAS comes with a 3-year warranty and dedicated tech support to bare metal recovery can restore and recover entire systems or
ensure complete confidence. Small businesses without dedicated IT individual files so your business is unaffected.

Key features:
• Improve Business Productivity and Collaboration
Consolidate important business data and share it over the network or on the Internet. Up to 50 employees with PCs or Macs get easy and
seamless access to the files they need.
• Automatic Backup and Fast Restore
Backup entire machines or individual files, and recover them in case of hardware failure, lost laptops or other disasters. BlackArmor comes
bundled with up to 10 free Acronis backup software licenses to help you get started right away.
• User Configurable to Different Usage Needs
Configure BlackArmor for your desired mix of security, data redundancy, or performance. Create up to 12TB of storage capacity, or enable
RAID 0, 1, 5, or 10 for data redundancy and improved performance.
• Protect Against Data Loss and Corruption
BlackArmor comes with a host of features to help save your data. User configurable RAID technology protects stored data from corruption
due to hardware failure; while automatically scheduled backups prevent data loss due to PC theft or system failure. Dual Ethernet ports also
provide protection against port failover, and a UPS connected to the BlackArmor delivers power backup in the event of a power failure.
• One Centralized Device, Multiple Uses for the Office
Configure BlackArmor to stream multimedia files, share files over the Internet using FTP file-sharing, or connect external drives and USB
printers that can be shared across the network.
• Secure Private Files and Folders
Secure files and folders with AES 256-bit (government-level) encryption, and restrict files and folder access with group and user level access
control.

More Information
Website
www.seagate.com/blackarmor

Customer Support Hotlines

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Support email: sfdc.apacsupport@seagate.com

BlackArmor NAS 220
BlackArmor NAS 110

BlackArmor NAS 400/420/440

3
Year
Limited
Warranty
©2010 Seagate Technology LLC. All rights reserved. Seagate, Seagate Technology, the Wave logo, and BlackArmor are trademarks or registered trademarks of Seagate Technology LLC or one of
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without notice, product offerings or specifications. Seagate Technology LLC, 920 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley CA 95066 U.S.A. www.seagate.com

20101208 Seagate BlackArmor Article NAS vs DAS.indd 6 1/7/11 10:29 AM