Network storage NAS. What are NAS servers and what are they for?

The abbreviation NAS means storage that is connected to a network. If we speak in computer language, then this is information. NAS servers are characterized by a collection of storage media large capacity and a specialized hardware platform. The latter allows you to connect such a hard drive to Modern NAS servers use hard drives to store information, and all thanks to their large available capacities (compared to other similar technologies) at a low cost of storing a unit of data. Moreover, hard drives are capable of providing high speed information exchange. These devices are used to organize home local networks.

Software

The main difference between such devices and standard file-based devices is personal computers, is the optimization of the hardware platform and operating system. The latter is configured exclusively for the tasks of network storage of information, as well as managing data arrays. NAS servers have a special system with a clear graphical interface, which greatly facilitates the user's work. The mentioned control system is located in the internal memory of this platform. She is completely independent from disk drives, which provides additional reliability of the entire structure. Most network servers are equipped with an OS based on Linux kernels And special processor- storage with RISK architecture. This ensures high performance and fault tolerance.

NAS servers: technology description

Has the ability to carry out remote process organized via a web interface. This allows you to manage drives from anywhere on the local network, and also - using Internet browsers - from global network. In terms of access control and level of manageability, modern NAS servers are not inferior to standard file servers. They implement support for template group security and access policies. All this allows them to work in domains based on the Windows operating system. Protection of access to information, the possibility of dividing user rights make such drives a very convenient way to store information at home or with a very high level of secrecy. A NAS server for home can contain one or several hard drives. The number of disks depends on the capabilities of the hardware platform, as well as the built-in operating system. There are models that can support up to five hard drives.

Conclusion

Today, NAS technology is not only a means of storing information, but also a system of special integrated service applications and services that provide the execution of many different additional functions. This system is able to satisfy various needs related to the main task of storing information, both for the home consumer and for the office. Modern network drives implement such functions as a web and ftp interface, a video surveillance and print server, as well as iTunes.

Network systems are quite common in enterprises, offices, and educational institutions. One of the most popular types of such equipment is network data storage, the price of which is presented in the catalogue, also known as NAS. At its core, it is a drive that allows you to store large amounts of information within a connected and secure network. The Ulmart online store in Moscow offers a large selection of US models and assistance in choosing equipment. We buy only reliable systems with a guarantee and delivery.

What is NAS network storage?

The abbreviation comes from English language: Network Attached Storage is literally translated into Russian as network data storage. Unlike removable drives and hard drives, this method of accumulating and storing information allows you to place it on a server. To which the user will have access from any device and at any time of the day. At the same time, the server is reliably protected and provides protection against hacker attacks.

Can we compare US to a computer? Essentially, the storage algorithm is the same, using software, but with a different set of hardware.

What tasks does the NAS perform?

1. Allows you to store large amounts of information;

2. Provides the highest level of protection;

3. Provides quick and easy access to data from any device and at any time of the day;

4. It can also play the role of a control system by hosting service applications.

Often businessmen who equip their office with a “smart system” or people who prefer to live in “ smart home", they decide to buy a network data storage specifically to organize the management of all service functions. This is why there is an Ulmart catalog, where you can find best models in different price categories, at your choice. Store your information securely and access it at any time!

Ilya 13719

Network data storage is a system for storing large volumes of information with independent software, storage means (drives) and communication means, designed as a separate block. Network storage is an element of a local network at home or office, designed for constant access to confidential (personal or business) information.

The software is used to organize the recording, storage and distribution of information. The program includes the following programs:
internal operating system (GAS, NAS);
data protection (antivirus);
data exchange (protocols such as Fiber Channel and/or encryption);
organizing arrays RAID type to improve system reliability;
other service programs.

Storage devices are large-capacity hard drives (drives) (3…5 pcs.), placed in one block. The storage operating system does not allow you to create logical drives, i.e. The system installed on one of the hard drives turns off this drive from the list of storage drives. The solution to the problem is to use a bootable flash card or other solid state drive(SSD class drives).

Communication means determine the way the storage communicates with the user. Communication options:
Wired - LAN (WAN) connection via TCP/IP protocol. File requests are processed by the internal processor to the NAS command level. Allows a distance of up to 10 km from the user.
Wireless - WiFi network storage is built on standard technologies, but is limited by the power of transceiver devices and is overloaded with means of protecting information during transmission.

The scope of application is practically unlimited - from storing multimedia files to collecting information from controllers of continuous-wave devices technological process or images from CCTV cameras. The important thing is that information enters the storage without going through user processors. This is achieved by processing it by an internal processor.

Device selection

Like all computer equipment, this sector of the market does not stand still. Offers and opportunities will drive any inexperienced user crazy. First of all you need:
1. Determine the need for such a device, based on the assigned tasks or needs;
2. Determine the required device options based on the number and characteristics of connected users;
3.Set the technical architecture of the system (number and volume of disks, depending on the type of information and its significance);
4.Set a price range;
5. Provide for the possibility of expanding the system or upgrading it.

Undoubtedly, network storage (in the basic configuration: disk drive, 2..3 USB ports, network port) is a serious and prestigious thing. But a simple example shows how the price changes depending on the options, all other things being equal, in the lowest price range. WD My Book Live 2 TB (NAS): type - external hard drive 2 TB; interface - Ethernet, DLNA; price - 5950 rub. Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 2 TB (NAS): type - network storage; interface -Ethernet, DLNA, print server, USB; price 8490 rub. Adding two options increases the cost by 30%, and this is a reason for analysis.

Advantages and alternative

Network-attached storage has a number of advantages. The most important of them is unloading the hardware capacity of the user's computer from routine operations: reading and writing large amounts of information, managing the progress and monitoring of network operations on the Internet or local networks, recording and playing multimedia information.

The development of high-speed data transmission systems over Internet networks and the creation of high-capacity information storage systems has led to the emergence of specialized storage facilities - file hosting. On a paid basis, they provide services for secure storage of information, services for structuring and retrieving information. Individual hosting companies act as intermediaries in the sale/purchase of information belonging to the user, if there is demand. Hosting can be used to store information that is not vital or to drown the most important information in a sea of ​​data, leaving the key for yourself.

Of course, both directions will receive further development, each in its own market segment.

Tell friends

• Tutorial

If I were an employee of a pasta factory, I would now be racking my brains over what to do with 500 packages of pasta, half a kilo each. Fortunately, when management decides to give a system administrator a bonus “in kind,” there is no threat of receiving a van of dry rations as a gift, although there is a good chance of becoming the owner of several tens of kilograms of outright scrap. However, this time I was lucky - as a corporate gift I received a pair of brand new WD Re 2004FBYZ with 2 terabytes each, and a Thermaltake Smart DPS G 750W power supply. But what to do with the disks? Installing it on a home computer is too wasteful even for me; after all, it’s Enterprise Class, and there’s no particular need. It is much more practical to build a NAS based on them. Of course, not some kind of file dump, but a highly reliable storage facility – a kind of “black box” for critical data. Plus, you can combine business with pleasure - since the decision has been made to completely transfer the infrastructure to “smart” power supplies (and this is how Thermaltake positions the Smart DPS line), it would be nice to see firsthand how it works.

But there is one catch - on at the moment the proprietary application exists only on Windows. This operating system is good for a corporate data center, but terrible and extremely unprofitable for home file storage. Therefore, I decided to make two posts. In this, we'll build a NAS based on Windows Server 2008 r2 (making sure that “windows” and “home NAS” are incompatible concepts), and see what DPS G App 2.0 is capable of. In the second, we will assemble a budget NAS based on NAS4Free, creating a truly reliable system.

Preface

Simple, but tasteful

Frame. The role of the data storage case was taken on by Thermaltake Core V1 - a nice, all-metal cube with a quiet 200 mm fan behind the front bezel.

At the back there are seats for another pair of 80 mm fans, thanks to which the network storage can be made truly cold.

As in others modern models, the lower compartment is reserved for the power supply. Dust protection is provided by a metal filter.

Another advantage of the Core V1 is its 4 removable walls (sides, roof and bottom), which greatly simplifies the assembly procedure. Each panel is secured with a pair of screws that can be easily removed by hand. I also really liked the implementation of the disk baskets - each of the four fixing screws received its own rubber damper, which dampens vibration quite well:

Motherboard. Here my choice fell on GIGABYTE GA-J1800N-D2H with built-in Intel Celeron. Dual-core processor power with base 2.41 GHz for network storage there is enough data for your eyes (although Windows Server will load it 100%, but “windows” are not our target platform), it is quite economical and does not require active cooling (there is no need to buy a cooler).

Despite the cheapness, Gigabyte has introduced its proprietary features into the product: High ESD technology, which provides electrostatic protection for microcircuits and LAN, as well as Anti-Surge IC, which prevents output motherboard failure due to power surges - everything you need for a truly reliable system. The only controversial point is the location of the internal USB connector close to the radiator: it is simply inconvenient to work with.

RAM. Nothing special - ordinary Transcend 2Gb DDR-III 1333Mhz in the SO-DIMM form factor. If it's lying around in a closet somewhere old laptop, you can remove the modules from it.

Power unit. A solid Thermaltake Smart DPS G 750W, designed for high-performance PCs and server platforms, certified to the 80 PLUS Gold standard. For a full server or workstation- just right for assembling a NAS with your own hands - too powerful, but during the experiment you can pamper yourself by installing nitros on a small car.

Of course, a device of this class provides for modular cable connection. Of the built-in ones, there are only connectors for the motherboard and processor (shared 4+4 pin, which came in very handy during assembly).

Flat cables provide additional convenience, although even they fit into the compact Core V1 with difficulty - the case is not designed for this. Among them was a wire for connecting the Thermaltake Smart DPS G 750W to the internal USB connector. Obviously, it ensures interaction between the on-board 32-bit microcontroller and the motherboard sensors, and is necessary for the full functioning of Smart Power Management. However, we will talk a little later about how well the monitoring system justifies itself and what features it provides.

Cooling. Two silent unregulated TITAN DC FAN. Since we want to build a quiet NAS without extra costs, this option will be optimal.

HDD. Although we don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, I still think it necessary to say a few words about the heroes of the occasion – the sweet couple WD Re 2004FBYZ. After all, whatever one may say, the safety of information depends on the quality of hard drives.

If you look at the manufacturer's specifications, everything looks very tasty. Thus, the hard drives are equipped with accelerometers and pressure sensors, based on which Rotary Acceleration Feed Forward (RAFF) technology is implemented, providing protection against linear and angular vibration in real time, which increases both reliability and performance. Being a server solution, WD Re 2004FBYZ also have TLER (Time Limited Error Recovery), which limits the correction time to avoid erroneous disk loss from the RAID array. Add to this the stated MTBF of 1.2 million hours, and we get almost ideal.

However, it is difficult to judge the veracity of beautiful words and sophisticated abbreviations until you try the product yourself. And here I can only say that I am typing this article on a computer, inside of which a couple of terabyte Caviar Blacks have been working for the past 6 years. And the 2.5-inch baby in the old Dell Inspirion 1501, now given to his parents, feels no worse. Actually, the transfer of infrastructure specifically to WD at my current place of work took place precisely at my instigation - I have a long-standing and very productive relationship with this brand. I have been using their discs for several years now, they have never let me down, and today I do not see any reason to change my preferences.

Flash drive. Any USB drive with a capacity of 8 GB. Of course, compact “plugs” are optimal, the body of which practically does not protrude above the connector.

Now you need to assemble a network storage from this stuff - everything is quite simple here. If you have ever assembled a computer yourself, you can handle it without any difficulties. I will note just a few key points:

• Additional coolers should be set to blow out - then we will achieve flowing air circulation from front to back and optimal cooling;
• When will you install motherboard, watch out for the metal jumper above the USB 3.0 hole on the rear panel - if you act carelessly, it can be bent and thus block the connector;
• The disc baskets are secured with a single screw, but they are installed quite rigidly and may not move right away. To remove the basket, you need to pull it away from the body and slightly downward;
• The motherboard does not provide a connection for external USB 3.0, you can safely hide this wire in the lower compartment of the case.

Entertaining mathematics

• Case: Thermaltake Core V1 – RUB 3,764.
• Power supply: As good as the Thermaltake Smart DPS G 750W is, it's too luxurious for small file storage. In the future, I plan to install the Chieftec HPS-350NS there – 1,560 rubles.
• Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-J1800N-D2H – RUB 4,436.
• RAM: Transcend SO-DIMM 2Gb DDR-III 1333Mhz x 2 – 3040 rub.
• Cooling: TITAN DC FAN (80 mm, 2000 rpm) x 2 – 404 rub.
• USB drive: 300 rubles.

I deliberately did not take into account HDDs in order to compare with Synology products. For example, the DiskStation DS216+ will cost you 28,173 rubles, while under the hood we will see a very modest filling: Intel Celeron N3050 1.6 GHz, RAM – 1 Gb, the same two 3.5 mm drive slots. If I hadn’t gotten the WD Re 2004FBYZ for free, I would have paid another 17,660 rubles, and the final costs were close to 31 thousand - the cost of a “bare” platform of a popular brand. Yes, our assembly is less compact, but more productive and reliable, and it’s almost half the price! And if there is a difference, then pay more? This concludes the short digression - it’s time to move on and put our car into operation!

Windows Server is the worst solution for a home NAS

We will install Windows Server 2008 r2, of course, from a flash drive. To create boot drive You can refer to the following instructions, or use the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool, which is also recommended on the official Microsoft blog. The same can be done using Rufus, which, moreover, can check memory for broken blocks(one or two passes will be enough), or install in Windows mode To Go, which will allow you to run the OS directly from the device.

However, the last option is not best idea, taking into account the peculiarities of the operating system and the disk space required for it, so let's make a regular bootable USB flash drive.

Now we can start installation, and here we see the first pitfall- size. Do you want to install the Standard edition with a visual interface? Please allocate 24 gigabytes. In the case of a pair of disks, this is too wasteful. Otherwise, there are no nuances: as in the version for home use, everything comes down to “Next-Next-Done”.

Once you log in, you will see the next con: the need for activation. I don’t plan to use Windows Server as the basis for a NAS - all this is, first of all, an experiment, so I’ll limit myself to the trial that Microsoft themselves kindly provides. Run regedit, look for the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\Activation\Manual

Change its value to one and reboot the machine. Now trial period increased from 3 to 30 days. In total, it can be extended up to six months using the slmgr.vbs script. The slmgr.vbs -dli command will help you find out how much time is left until the current license expires, and slmgr.vbs –rearm will reset the evaluation period (no more than three times). The process can be automated by creating a small XML file.

I would like to express one more “fairy” in the direction of the “Update Center”. More than 300 patches of various calibers were subsequently released for Windows Server 2008 r2 SP1. It will take several hours to install them all, and the patches conflict with adding server roles. That is, it is necessary to update either before or after; the process takes a lot of time and loads the system to the maximum:

There is also an unfortunate bug associated with the updates. After installing the updates, you may find that space on the system disk begins to disappear by itself. If you notice a leak, go to the C:\Windows\Temp folder. You will almost certainly see something like this:

The problem is that the archiving of update logs failed - the system produces damaged archives at an alarming rate, starting the procedure again after each error. This can be treated by deleting all files from the C:\Windows\Logs\CBS folder, after which you can safely clean the Temp directory.

However, let's move on. And the first thing you need to do is set up auto-login, since the NAS will still be located on your home network, and entering the password every time is too tedious. Go to “Start” -> “Run”, and enter the command control userpasswords2.

Having selected the “Administrators” group, uncheck the “Require username and password” checkbox and save the selection.

Now let's deal with remote connection. The easiest way is to use the built-in desktop manager. To activate it, go to “Start” -> “Control Panel” -> “System and Security” -> “Settings” remote access”, select the second or third option (if you plan to connect the NAS to the Internet). It is also worth setting a simpler and more concise computer name on the tab of the same name.

An alternative can be LiteManager - a multifunctional and free program for private users that has a bunch of useful functions: file transfer, direct access to the console, registry editor, task manager, and a number of others. When installing the server part on the NAS, set the access password that will be used when logging in:

If you plan to connect your home NAS to the Internet, you can additionally configure an IP filter:

Make sure the LM Server is in automatic mode launch:

Also, do not forget to set a static address for our machine in the adapter properties:

Where 192.168.1.1 is the router address. Finally, enable network discovery and file and folder sharing in “Control Panel” -> “Network and Internet” -> “Network and Sharing Center” shared access” –> “Change additional options public access."

After the operations described above, you can connect the NAS to your home network with a clear conscience. If further control will be carried out through LM Viewer, install the application on your computer and add a new connection by clicking on the plus on the toolbar and filling in the required fields:

Where 192.168.1.250 is the IP address of the NAS. Or use the built-in Windows Remote Desktop Connection utility.

Now let's create a partition to store information. Go to “Server Manager” -> “Storage” -> “Disk Management”, right-click on the unallocated space on the system disk, select “Create simple volume” and, following the wizard’s prompts, create a main “Data” partition formatted in NTFS.

You can proceed directly to raising the file server. Open “Roles” -> “Add roles” in the manager.

After the wizard's welcome window, a list of available ones will appear. We are interested in “File Services”:

In the next window, check the box next to “File Server Services Manager”; if desired, you can enable “ Windows service Search".

In “Storage Monitoring” we mark our “Data” section:

Here, by clicking the “Options” button, we set up monitoring of the volume. For convenience, you can add reports on duplicates and large files.

In “Report Parameters” we set the path for storing records:

If you have enabled Windows Search, select indexing for the “Data” volume:

We confirm the choice and wait for the installation to complete. After this, the capabilities of the file management manager (located in “Start” -> “Administration”) will become available to us. Of the entire range of tools offered, quota management is useful for home use.

As you can see, the “Data” section has already received a “soft” quota by default. This means that if it is more than 85% full, we will receive an alert, but writing files to the NAS will still be available. Quotas can be set not only for partitions, but also for individual directories. Let's create a “Music” folder on drive “E” and set a size limit for it. Click “Create quota” and select the path:

In “Customizable Properties” we will specify a limit of 300 GB and select the “Hard” option so that music addiction does not lead to a situation where there is no space left on the disk for regular backups and important documents:

Let's add a threshold value of 85% and set the notification method:

As a result we get:

After clicking the “Create” button, the system will offer to save the settings to a template. Subsequently, this will allow us to apply similar rules to other folders in one click.

In order for the new quota to appear in the list, you must reconfigure the filter. Click on the link of the same name and select “All”:

Now the new quota is also visible on the main screen:

Another option that may be useful if your wife, children, and beloved cat also use file storage is managing file locking. It allows you to exclude loading files of certain extensions into certain directories.

Let's create a Backup directory and stop cluttering it with music and videos. To do this, just click on “Create a file blocking filter”, select the desired directory and, in our case, the preset “Block audio and video files” template.

The template contains almost all the most common formats, but you can always add new ones in the appropriate section:

By clicking on “Edit template properties”, we get to the settings menu.

Here, by clicking the “Change” button, you can call up the section for adding new extensions and removing existing ones, as well as familiarize yourself with the preinstalled ones:

All that remains is to make our folder accessible over the network. To do this, go to “Start” -> “Administration” -> “Computer Management” -> “ Shared folders” –> “Shared Resources” and create a new one. Then we simply follow the wizard’s instructions. First, specify the path to the folder:

At the next step, we set its parameters (you can leave them as default):

Setting up access permissions. For the local network you can open access to everyone, for the Internet - leave it only for administrators:

Now the “Music” folder will be accessible directly from any computer on your home network - just type the address \\NAS\Music in Explorer and log in. We will perform a similar procedure for the Backup directory, and at the same time we will check how file blocking works by trying to load a movie into it.

Access denied - everything works fine.

Stayed finishing touch– creation of software RAID-1. There is nothing complicated about this: go to “Server Manager” -> “Storage” -> “Disk Management”, right-click on system disk(“Disk 1” in our example), and select “Convert to dynamic disk”.

Then click on each volume one by one, selecting “Add mirror” from the menu. All partitions will be “reflected” to the second disk and resynchronization will begin:

And here is another argument “against”. The fact is that the resynchronization process for a 2 terabyte HDD will last more than 5 hours. Disks will be checked completely, no matter how much information is recorded, and their loading will tend to 100%. Of course, WD Re can withstand even less of a test, but you won’t be able to use the NAS normally during this period: the write/read speed will drop significantly.

Speaking of speed: let's evaluate the performance of the array in real conditions. This is what I got when transferring the Rammstein discography to a network folder:

Not bad at all, but it can really be better, as NAS4Free will help us see. The free and low-resource operating system is optimal for a home NAS and can work with the ZFS file system, where disk mirroring is implemented much more intelligently and reliably. In this case, the process of primary synchronization is absent in principle. That's why I recommend NAS4Free for home file storage. However, we will talk about it in the next post, and now let’s get to the fun part.

How smart is a smart power supply?

Nothing unusual - many companies ask for your email for newsletters. However, when I entered my address, instead of the utility I received:

Even without a translator, it is clear that the requested page was not found. What could be the matter? It turns out that everything works a little differently. First, you need to create an account in the system, confirm your registration, and only then you can download the utility in the “Products” section.

Another important nuance– if you adhere to the golden rule of creating passwords, including using special characters, then you will have to abandon this practice here. There will be no problems with authorization on the site, but the DPS App simply will not accept passphrase, displaying the error:

Therefore, you should limit yourself to a combination of Latin letters and numbers. However, let’s not judge strictly: while the system is at the beta testing stage, such bugs are quite natural.

Now let's finally download and install the application itself. Please note that for him correct operation Microsoft .NET 4.5 required, Adobe Flash Player ActiveX, as well as current Java version. After launch, the utility will prompt you to log in to synchronize with SPM, which we will do.

The equipment is detected automatically (in earlier versions serial number had to be specified manually). After successful authorization, the following window will appear:

Don’t be afraid - the program wants to determine your coordinates for display on an interactive map (more on that a little later), but positioning can be turned off.

Now let's see what the application actually offers us. The range includes a whole range of scanners that allow you to control the following parameters:

1. Total voltage and voltage for each of the connected lines;
2. Voltage at central processor and video card;
3. Current strength;
4. Total power.

Using the round arrows, you can enable graph mode that displays changes in real time:

There is also a power supply temperature sensor, where you can select units of measurement to suit your taste:

The Thermaltake Smart DPS G 750W fan control is also available in the DPS App. In the “Performance” mode, the unit will select the optimal speed, almost equalizing the temperature of the power supply components with the ambient temperature. The “Zero fan” option allows you to turn off the fan completely - although the power supply itself is extremely quiet, if your household is not accustomed to the soothing sounds of a working server, this function will help make the NAS almost silent. Considering the cost-effectiveness of our system, active cooling may not be needed at all. If the temperature exceeds the critical 80°C, the power supply will automatically switch to intensive operation mode.

The “Expenses” item allows you to set electricity tariffs and thus find out how much it costs you to operate the equipment. Unfortunately, at the moment only one tariff zone is supported and only one currency is the US dollar. As a result, the tool is suitable only for informational purposes, which the utility kindly warns about.

A rather interesting feature is the ability to send data to social networks. Facebook, Twitter and its Chinese equivalent Weibo are supported. When you click on the corresponding icon on your account, a screenshot of the currently open counter is published. Sending a picture by e-mail is also available, but only if an email client is previously configured on the computer.

The “Record” tab provides much more interesting opportunities. Here you can download reports on the operation of the power supply by date in CSV format.

Readings are taken at intervals of one minute. The table records all the parameters displayed on the indicators - very convenient for assessing the effectiveness of the system.

However, let's take a break from the application (we've covered all the available functionality, with the exception of backlight control, which this model is not equipped with), and let's see what capabilities the SPM cloud platform offers. But first, let’s go to “My Account” -> “Settings”:

If you set the status to “Public”, statistics will be displayed on the “All uploads” tab, but only users added as friends will have access to the data. When you turn on the geolocation service, your computer's location will be displayed on an interactive map.

According to the developers, Smart Power Management should become more than just cloud service monitoring, but a full-fledged social platform. Using positioning functions, you can make acquaintances with other users and exchange experiences through private messages. Considering that Thermaltake's target products are professionals and enthusiasts, such a system could serve as an excellent alternative in the future thematic groups and forums, allowing you to find colleagues and like-minded people around the world in a couple of clicks.

Let's go to the “My uploads” tab. Reports generated by the application are loaded here.

By clicking on the link “Download data...” we get to the visual interface. All information stored in text reports is presented here, but in the form of graphs. You can view statistics on the power supply itself, CPU and video card:

The most interesting is the “Analysis” tab. Having selected a power supply (and the platform allows you to add an unlimited number of devices), we get to this page:

The first three tabs allow you to find out the total time of use of the power supply, the cost of electricity and the amount of kW/h consumed, respectively. By clicking on the tree icon, we can evaluate the environmental friendliness of the system:

Unfortunately, the NAS only worked a bit, so I haven't planted a single tree yet. Next, you can get summary statistics on electricity consumption and cost, and also find out average power for the selected period:

The “Analysis of power consumption” tab will tell you how suitable the power supply is for file storage:

As you would expect, we were able to assemble a home NAS whose power consumption is comparable to that of a regular household light bulb.

The last tab allows you to create an energy saving plan based on the selected parameters. Here you can set up alerts for the mobile version of the application:

In addition, Smart Power Management allows you to remotely manage the power of your computer or server. All necessary tools presented in the Remote section.

It is possible to completely turn off the power or reboot the system (don’t be alarmed, the corresponding signal will be sent to the motherboard), as well as schedule a shutdown:

The listed functionality is also available in the DPS G Mobile App, released for iOS and Android ( Windows Phone naturally ignored). And if viewing statistics on a smartphone screen is not very convenient, then the implementation remote control home NAS will come in handy. All previously made settings are fully synchronized:

Most useful function is a notification that the fan has stopped or the unit has overheated above 60°C, after which you can immediately turn off the system, preventing the power supply of your home NAS from failing.

Instead of a conclusion

As for the Smart Power Management platform, I can say that the solution is already working great, offering a completely sufficient set of tools for monitoring and managing power. It can be a good help in situations where the use of professional industry solutions is unprofitable (for example, when building an IT infrastructure for small offices). A smart power supply can also come in handy for a private user: when your computer works 24/7, the ability to monitor changes remotely will come in very handy, as will a panic button to turn off the system in an emergency. But personally, I would like to see a more advanced tariff system with support for multiple zones and currencies - this would allow us to accurately record energy costs and plan a budget without additional software. If Thermaltake releases a version of the utility for Linux and FreeBSD, it will not have a price at all. I hope that company representatives read Habr - maybe they will like my ideas and transfer the utility to *nixes.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a computing machine with built-in disk space, which is connected to a local (home) network and works according to the protocols adopted in it.

Network storage is also called a network storage system.

Basically, network storage disks are one logical element - a redundant (backup) array. Several such storages can be connected by one network.

Such an organization of data storage ensures reliable storage of information when accessed by many users, is easy to manage and scale (copes with increasing the number of resources in the network and increasing load).

The main purpose of network storage is to provide resources for storing information to other devices on the network.

The NAS module software is not designed to solve computing problems, but is designed to ensure the operation of the storage itself and its file system; is responsible for organizing access to data and controlling system functions.

I/O devices such as a monitor and keyboard are not connected to the network storage. In this regard, setting up the software and managing the storage itself is performed via a computer connected to the same local network using a browser. Access is accomplished by accessing the NAS device via a network address (IP address).

Species

Network storage can be roughly divided into two types.

The first type of network storage is characterized by:

• Low power processor.
• Small amount of memory. Such devices are not characterized by high speed and variety of services provided. For example, watching a video high resolution It's unlikely to succeed. The backup process may also take a long time. Such network storage does not support torrents very well due to the low speed of uploading and downloading information.
• The problem is their repair. Very often non-standard components are used, or it is not known which file system is used to organize the operation of the disks. Therefore, there is a possibility of losing all information if the network storage fails.

However, with all its shortcomings, this type of NAS:

• Relatively inexpensive.
• Very compact.
• Almost silent.

The second type of network storage is, so to speak, home servers

In fact, these are ordinary computers, which contain the same components, controlled by conventional operating systems (hereinafter referred to as OS), or an OS configured specifically for managing NAS systems.

Managing home servers does not require deep system administration skills or entering long commands. Now control can be easily accomplished via a browser or specialized graphical software.

This type of network storage has the following advantages over network storage of the first type:

• High performance file storage.
• High speed.
• You can install various software (for example, the same torrents that will perform their functions).
• Easily restored in case of failure thanks to the use of standard components and conventional operating systems.

Disadvantages of network storage of the second type in comparison with NAS of the first type:

• Higher price.
• Large sizes.
• More noisy.

Also, network data storages can be classified by the number of slots (extensions). It is believed that as the number of slots increases, the class of network storage increases:

• for home use;
• for home office and small business office;
• for medium-sized businesses;
• for production and corporate office.

Although the connection between class and number of slots is very vague. So, there are 4-slot models for home, and 2-slot models for business.

This depends on the capabilities of the network storage itself and the software installed on it.

Purchase

If low cost, quiet operation are important to you (for example, you plan to place the storage in the room where you sleep), and the speed of data transfer over the network is not critical for you, then you can consider purchasing a network storage of the first type described. In other cases, you should give preference to a home server.

When choosing, each user should consider:

• hard drives for the NAS device are purchased separately, and the cost of storage will be determined by their quantity;
• When choosing a budget two-disk model with a low-power processor and small memory, it is almost impossible to obtain high-performance network storage;
• The features of high-speed and powerful NAS systems are usually not fully utilized at home.

The choice is most often determined by the optimal cost-performance ratio.

If cost is the determining criterion when choosing, then three types of models can be considered:

• For a limited budget.
• Inexpensive network storage models are well suited for deploying a home network consisting of several PCs, two switches, and the latest Smart TV system.
• Medium NAS devices.

For buyers with an average budget, manufacturers are ready to offer network storage systems that perform almost all server functions at an affordable price. Examples of implemented functions are:

• at least two hard drives;
• work with a variety of data exchange protocols, etc.

Almost all manufacturers offering NAS systems to the market produce models of this class. Systems from Thecus manufacturer are quite popular.

Professional network storage

Allows you to store large amounts of data with a high degree of reliability. They are not much different from professional file servers. But it is precisely this difference that allows them to be installed not in a separate air-conditioned room, but in a regular office or home.

Dominant NAS system manufacturers highest performance are:

• Synology.
• Samsung.
• QNAP.

You can buy network storage in stores computer equipment or in online stores.

Review of the best models

Let's look at three noteworthy network storage models:

Samsung WirelessSamsung Wireless

The price is about 8 thousand rubles.

It stands out among analogues by the presence of the “Wi-Fi hotspot” function, which allows you to connect up to 5 users. Often used as convenient network storage for various gadgets. The demand for the device is explained by the limited memory capacity of mobile devices.

Specifications:

• Supported network storage memory capacity is up to 1.5 TB.
• Works under such popular operating systems as: Android, Windows, Vista, XP SP2, Mac OS.
• Built-in battery allows you to work up to 7 hours without recharging.
• The possibility of wireless connection has been implemented.
• Availability USB port 3.0 allows you to recharge mobile devices from network storage.
• Using a NAS device it is possible HDD connection directly to your PC without using Wi-Fi.

Synology DS213 air

The price ranges from 15 to 17 thousand rubles.

This NAS device is better suited for users of desktop devices than portable ones (tablets/smartphones), although it does not lack a Wi-Fi option.

Specifications:

• Its own processor operates at a frequency of 1600 GHz.
• RAM capacity – 256 MB.
• Provides information exchange up to 8 TB.
• Allows you to organize a “cloud” for exchanging information with other users.
• You can connect up to 8 IP cameras.
• The storage facility is equipped with specialized software for downloading information, as well as a print server.
• Can perform the functions of a router.

QNAP TS-269L

The price is about 40 thousand rubles.

Specifications:

• Processor frequency – 1860 MHz.
• RAM size 1GB.
• 2 slots for hard drives.
• 2 Ethernet controller, the speed of which reaches 1000 Mbit/s.
• The kit includes a set of software.
• You can connect more than 12 IP cameras.
• Among the features - automatic start power supply after a failure.

Among the shortcomings, there is noise when the cooler operates.

Installation and configuration

Primary preparation:

• Installing hard drives into a NAS enclosure.
• Connection to power supply.
• Network connection. Here you can consider two connection options:
  • Wireless (for example, using a Wi-Fi router). The advantage of this connection is the absence of unnecessary wires.
  • Wired. It will be necessary to deploy a local network. But wired connection provides reliable connection, high data transfer speed along with low cost of network installation.
• When connecting the network storage to the network via a router, the NAS automatically receives everything network settings, including IP address. To configure the device, you must use a computer on the same network.

After connecting all devices to the network, you need to make the following settings:

• Find a NAS device by IP address from your computer using the utility that comes with your network storage.
• Further, using the same utility, the following is carried out:
  • Installing the operating system on the storage;
  • Setting up network drives;
  • Differentiation of access levels to the NAS device from different network devices;
  • Condition monitoring and other actions.
• To obtain an IP address for a NAS device, it is better to use dynamic address distribution. The IP address distribution function is enabled on the router. Entering the IP address manually is used if the PC performs the router function. When allocating an IP address manually, you need to follow some rules. The IP addresses of all devices must belong to the same subnet. Setting an IP address manually requires more knowledge of network administration than automated IP address assignment.
• You can access a NAS device connected to the network using a PC. To do this, you need to go to the “Network Neighborhood” of your PC (this shortcut is either on the PC desktop or in the “start menu”).

In any case, the nuances of installing and configuring network storage are determined by its model. The device usually includes a disk with a utility (program), as well as a guide for installing and configuring network storage.

Scope of application

In fact, the principle of managing data locally allocated to individual computing devices is far from new. Large enterprises, where hundreds and thousands of specialists work on PCs, usually use entire server rooms (the principle of operation is the same as that of network storage, only the scale is much larger).

But for small local NAS networks, the modules are ideal.

Network storage can be used both in the office and at home if there is a need to store a large amount of information. In this case, it is possible to organize the transfer of information from several personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs).

If at home you use modern nettops to access Internet resources and other work, which do not have a large amount of built-in memory, then you can think about purchasing network storage in order to transfer “heavy” information (high-quality video files, the latest computer games, large volumes of photographs, etc.).

On the other hand, it is advisable to acquire network storage at home if you keep up with the times, and your set of gadgets and devices at home includes: desktop PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone, game console, video camera, digital photo camera, TV with built-in computer, etc.

In addition, NAS devices (two-disk or more) come with the appropriate software, which makes it possible to implement regular automatic backups from devices connected to the same network. Thanks to this, in the event of a sudden failure of any network device, such as a PC, information will not be lost.