Processor: Marvell ARMADA 1.3 GHz | Storage Capacity: 8TB (included) to 36TB | Compatibility: Windows, macOS | Ports: Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0 We think it's the best NAS for the average person who wants a straightforward device. Unusually for a device that’s just about as easy to set up as an ordinary external hard drive, it also comes with advanced security features.
Other handy features include the ability to easily schedule backups from multiple devices and share files with others by creating private links. It also comes with Plex Media Server built-in, a digital media player that makes it easy to stream your favorite media to all of your devices.
The My Cloud Ex2 is pretty much plug-and-play and comes with 8TB of storage capacity, which is plenty for home use. With those additional features, a network attached storage drive can be more than just a file server for a local network.The Western Digital My Cloud EX2 is far from the most advanced NAS, the fastest, or the most versatile, but it wins its place as the best overall for most people because it’s affordable and hassle-free. After taking into account those factors, then you should consider features such as media streaming, cloud storage, remote access, and YouTube™ integration. They determine how fast the NAS will be, how much storage capacity it will have, and how secure it will be. When shopping for a NAS, your top concerns should be those listed above.
#Portable network attached storage device software#
For maximum protection, you will want a NAS that is secure on the software level as well as physical. Security can come in the form of file encryption, user authentication, firewalls, and Kensington® security slots (K-slots). Support for computers running Linux® however, is not as common.
#Portable network attached storage device mac#
Mac and Windows support is fairly common, with some network storage devices supporting both. When purchasing NAS storage devices, you will want to make sure that they are compatible with your organization’s operating systems. However, a faster processor and more memory usually mean a higher price tag. With a network attached storage drive, better hardware means that it can support more users reading and writing data at the same time. The performance of a NAS is determined by the speed of its processor and the amount of memory onboard. Two, a wired NAS can still be accessed wirelessly if it is connected to a wireless router. One, most wireless NAS drives utilize the 802.11n standard, which is slower than gigabit Ethernet. Wireless network attached storage drives are not as common as wired variants for a two reasons. First, the redundancy can come in handy if a port ever fails, and secondly, using multiple ports can increase data bandwidth. The reason for having more than one Ethernet port is two-fold. Wired NAS storage drives utilize gigabit Ethernet ports for network connectivity, with some having several Ethernet ports. One advantage of a NAS box that requires you to purchase the drives separately is that you can customize the capacity of the network attached storage device to your organization’s needs. While some NAS boxes have built-in hard drives, others will require you to purchase the drives separately. If your organization can benefit from a NAS box, then there are a few key points that you should consider for when shopping one. In addition, some network attached storage devices have audio and video streaming functionality so that they can double as media hubs. So when shopping for NAS storage, your considerations should include processor speed, amount and speed of memory, operating system compatibility, the number of expandable hard drive bays (if any), and more.įor organizations, a NAS box is an excellent way to provide additional storage, while requiring less setup and administration than servers. In a NAS box, you will find a processor, memory, and an operating system. What is a network attached storage device?Ī NAS device is more like a file server with web management functionality rather than just a storage drive.