A network attached storage or NAS device is a device that connects directly to your office network and stores files which can be accessed by any computer on that network. A NAS is a low cost server alternative that greatly simplifies the need for secure file share and central backup.  A NAS is far easier to manage and maintain than a traditional server.  Typical NAS devices are small and resemble an external USB hard drive. However, a NAS has a network adapter that allows it to plug into your network via an standard Ethernet cable.  A NAS is typically used in a small to medium offices of less than 20 staff that has a need to share or backup files. Low cost NAS devices provide minimal securitys but more expensive models do.  As with any server the need for offsite backups still exist. 

Home Server

Several vendors offer a scaled down version of Microsoft Server called Home Server. Initailly intended for the home and limited to no more than 10 users it is an excellent solution providing automated client backups, file sharing and integrated client /server securities.  Remote file access is another feature of this solution but does not need to be enabled.  Slightly more difficult than a NAS to setup correctly, it is managed quite easily from any desktop and shares the same simplicity and reliability that a NAS would.  Both single and multi drive models are available.  Done correctly, 2 drives (or more) provide better data redundency.

Drives

Both the NAS and Home Server may require the purchase of hard drives (for "diskless") OR additional hard drives.  Check the product Specifications to be sure.  Matching drive sizes from 500Gb to 1.5Tb are best.

Sample NAS vendors:

• QNAP (www.newegg.com)  TS-119 single drive model OR the SS-439 (up to 4 drives)
• Synology (www.synology.com) makes low cost NAS devices like the DS107 which has space for one hard drive, or the DS207 which has space for two hard drives. With the DS207, the second hard drive acts as a mirror of the first drive (called RAID 1) and is a fail-safe in case one of the drives happens to fail.
• Ximeta (www.ximeta.com) makes the NetDisk Portable NAS device available in 80 to 250 GB sizes.  They also sell the device without a hard drive included allowing you to purchase and install the hard drive of your choice. These devices can be purchased in pairs to acheive RAID 1 mirroring.
• HP MediaSmart Server (www.newegg.com)  EX495 (with Core2 Intel proc) needs a second hard drive for data redundancy