What to Know Before Buying a NAS?

In today’s world, data is being generated at an unprecedented rate, both at home and in the office. From photos and videos to important documents, we all rely on storing vast amounts of information. Enter Network-Attached Storage (NAS)—the ideal solution for anyone looking to store and manage data effortlessly. A NAS acts as a powerful, centralized storage server that simplifies data management without the need for complex technical know-how.

If you’re new to server management, think of a NAS as your entry point to a world of seamless storage. It’s easy to set up, and virtually any device—whether it’s your smartphone, laptop, desktop, or even other cloud services—can connect to it. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one?

Here’s a handy guide to help you make an informed decision when shopping for your NAS:

1. Storage Capacity: Choose a NAS that can grow with your data needs.

2. Performance & Speed: Ensure it can handle your data transfer and access speed requirements.

3. User-Friendliness: Look for simple setup options and an intuitive interface.

4. Security Features: Prioritize NAS with strong encryption and data protection protocols.

5. Backup & Redundancy: Ensure automatic backups and RAID support for data safety.

6. Remote Access & Connectivity: Check for ease of access across devices, even remotely.

7. Energy Efficiency: Consider a power-efficient model to keep running costs low.

 

By considering these strategic factors, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the perfect NAS for your data storage needs.

Drive bays and capacity

When selecting a NAS, one of the most crucial specifications to consider is the number of drive bays. This determines the amount of data the device can store. Here’s why it matters:

1. Drive Bay Capacity: Each 3.5-inch drive bay accommodates a standard mechanical hard drive (HDD), with capacities reaching up to 24TB per drive. A NAS with five drive bays can support up to 120TB of raw storage capacity—before factoring in RAID configurations for redundancy.

2. Expandable Storage: Not all drive bays need to be filled immediately. You can purchase a NAS with multiple bays and begin with just two HDDs. As your storage needs grow, you can add drives without disrupting the system, thanks to the flexibility of RAID configurations.

3. Plan for Future Growth: Just like with a GPU, it’s wise to invest in a NAS with more bays than you currently need. This leaves room for future expansion, ensuring you don’t quickly run out of storage space as your data grows.

 

By considering these points, you ensure that your NAS can scale with your needs without forcing you to upgrade prematurely.

CPU and RAM

The processor and system memory (RAM) are key factors in determining what your NAS can handle. Here’s how each plays a role:

1. Processor Power: The processor largely dictates the capabilities of your NAS. A low-power ARM processor is sufficient if you only plan on storing files and uploading backups. However, if you intend to run multiple services or handle more complex tasks, such as data storage alongside app hosting, an Intel or AMD processor will be necessary.

2. RAM and Performance: RAM is equally important. Most NAS systems from brands like TerraMaster, Synology, and Asustor come with at least 1GB of RAM. This is adequate for basic tasks, like running the operating system and transferring data between devices. However, for more demanding tasks—such as hardware transcoding or virtualization—you’ll need at least 2GB of RAM to ensure smooth operation.

3. Upgradability: It’s a good idea to check whether the NAS allows for RAM upgrades. This flexibility ensures you can expand the memory as your needs grow, avoiding performance slowdowns in the future.

 

By considering both processor and RAM specifications, you’ll ensure that your NAS can support the applications and services you plan to use.

Price

When considering a NAS, the price will often reflect its features and specifications. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Price vs. Features: NAS enclosures with basic features, such as a single 1GbE networking link, two drive bays, and an ARM processor, tend to be more affordable. On the other hand, models with advanced specifications—like an Intel processor, 4GB of upgradable RAM, four drive bays, dual 2.5GbE network ports, and M.2 SSD slots—will come at a higher price.

2. Use Case Matters: The price of the NAS largely depends on how you intend to use it. If you’re only storing simple files and performing basic backups, a more budget-friendly NAS will suffice, allowing you to save money.

3. Cost of Drives: Remember, NAS enclosures typically do not come with drives installed. The cost of purchasing additional drives for data storage is not included in the price of the enclosure, so plan for that extra expense when budgeting.

 

By understanding how features influence pricing, you can make an informed choice that fits both your needs and your budget.

Networking ports

When selecting a NAS, network speed is a crucial consideration. Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. 1GbE Network Link: A single 1GbE network link is sufficient for transfer rates up to 100MB/s. This is ideal for basic file storage and simple data transfers.

2. Drive Speeds: Hard disk drives (HDDs) typically support speeds up to 500MB/s, while solid-state drives (SSDs) can reach speeds of up to 15,000MB/s, provided the system has the necessary resources to handle such high-speed transfers.

3. Dual 1GbE or 2.5GbE Ports: If you plan to transfer larger files across your network, consider a NAS with dual 1GbE or 2.5GbE ports. These provide higher bandwidth for faster data transfer.

4. 10GbE SFP+ Ports: For advanced networking setups, 10GbE SFP+ ports are the best option. They are designed for high-performance environments and offer extremely fast transfer rates.

 

By selecting the right network interface, you can ensure your NAS meets your specific data transfer needs.

Operating system

The operating system (OS) is the core of any NAS, enabling file storage, app and service management, and much more. Here’s what to consider when choosing a NAS OS:

1. Proprietary OS (Synology, etc.): Many NAS brands, such as Synology, come with a proprietary OS. This ensures seamless first-party support and optimized performance for the device, making it a good choice for users seeking reliability and guaranteed updates. However, proprietary systems may eventually face limited security updates once they reach the end of life.

2. Third-Party OS (Unraid, TrueNAS): Using an external OS, like Unraid or TrueNAS, eliminates the risk of limited support and updates. These systems are widely compatible with different enclosures and offer greater flexibility.

3. Compatibility: An OS like Unraid can work on most NAS enclosures that allow sideloading. However, compatibility may vary, especially with more affordable models, so ensure that your device supports it.

4. Aftermarket OS Options: Some prebuilt NAS enclosures, such as the LincPlus LincStation N1, come with aftermarket operating systems. While performance may vary, most aftermarket OS options deliver similar functionality.

 

For a deeper dive into the best operating systems for your NAS, check out our guide on the topic to explore your options.

Power requirements

While a NAS typically consumes less power than a desktop system, it remains online continuously, which can add to your electricity costs. Here’s how to manage power consumption:

1. Low Power Usage: A NAS that draws less than 50 watts is considered energy-efficient. For example, the Synology DiskStation DS923+, a powerful AMD-based NAS, only consumes 35 watts under full load.

2. Minimal Impact on Bills: Unless you’re heavily utilizing your NAS throughout the day, its power consumption should have a minimal impact on your annual electricity bill.

 

By selecting a low-power NAS, you can enjoy the benefits of continuous storage without worrying about high energy costs.

Size and footprint

The size and power of a NAS are closely related, with less powerful models typically being more compact. Here’s why:

1. Smaller NAS, Lower Power: Less powerful NAS units often come with fewer drive bays, fewer fans for cooling, and a smaller PCB. This results in a more compact design.

2. Space-Saving Models: A dual-bay NAS, such as the Synology DiskStation DS223j, is small enough to fit almost anywhere in the home, as long as it has easy access to the LAN.

3. Larger NAS Needs Space: More powerful NAS systems, like the Synology DiskStation DS3622xs+ with 12 drive bays, are significantly larger and heavier (weighing around 10kg), requiring more careful consideration of placement.

4. Rackmount NAS: Rackmount NAS servers offer space efficiency but need a server cabinet for proper installation and management.

 

By understanding these size and power relationships, you can choose a NAS that fits both your technical needs and available space.

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