networkattached

Networkattached, in computing, refers to devices or services that are connected to a computer network to provide data services to multiple clients. The term is commonly used in reference to network-attached storage (NAS), a dedicated storage appliance that exposes file-based storage over a network. Unlike direct-attached storage, which connects to a single computer, network-attached devices can be accessed by multiple clients simultaneously.

Architecture and protocols: NAS devices typically run their own lightweight operating system and expose file shares over standard network protocols such as SMB/CIFS for Windows, NFS for Unix-like systems, and sometimes FTP or WebDAV. Access is managed through user authentication and access control lists, with optional encryption for data in transit. Many NAS units support RAID for redundancy, snapshots for point-in-time protection, and backup or replication features.

Use cases: In homes and small businesses, NAS provides centralized storage for documents, media libraries, backups, and collaboration. In larger environments, it can serve as a shared file server, host virtual machine images, or provide scalable storage as part of a broader storage strategy.

Advantages and limitations: Advantages include centralized data, ease of sharing, and scalable capacity. Limitations include potential network bottlenecks, reliance on network reliability, and exposure to security risks if not properly configured. Performance depends on network speed, device hardware, and protocol choices.

Related concepts: Network-attached storage is one form of network storage; other approaches include direct-attached storage and storage area networks (SAN).