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Everything you need to know about Cloud NAS — how it works, the protocols available, and why demand for it keeps growing.
Cloud NAS is a locally hosted VM or physical server/appliance connected to a cloud provider. This type of cloud storage allows users to store and access their data over the internet or locally.
As the Cloud NAS is on premise, transferring files is much faster than accessing the cloud directly, since data is cached locally. When a user in a remote office in New York adds a file to their locally shared drive, that file is automatically uploaded to the centralised cloud storage and becomes available to colleagues in London — meaning users can access their data from anywhere in the world, so long as they have an internet connection.
The cloud is a great solution for businesses that need to store large amounts of data, or for individuals who want to access their data from anywhere — and a good option for those who want to keep their data safe in the event of a disaster.
Cloud NAS uses the cloud instead of a traditional server, and is usually less expensive than other types of storage. It can be used for file sharing, backing up data, or storing media files, and systems can be either public or private — accessible by anyone with an internet connection, or restricted to a specific group of users.
It's a great solution for businesses that edit and create all types of files including video, audio, and office documents, and have many remote offices. Cloud NAS is also the greatest option for apps with unique needs, such as computer-intensive systems that demand a large amount of storage — including machine learning and artificial intelligence applications.
The cloud may also be the ideal option for applications that require long-term storage, such as legal or compliance requirements. Cloud NAS is equally useful for daily storage needs, allowing users to access files and databases while offering storage capacity that scales with demand.
There are a few different protocols that can be used with Cloud NAS, including NFS, SMB/CIFS, and iSCSI. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs.
A popular choice — easy to set up and use. Can be less reliable than other protocols, and may not work well with some applications.
Common, and often used with Windows systems. Generally more reliable than NFS, but can be more difficult to set up.
Less common, but can offer real advantages over NFS and SMB/CIFS — typically more reliable, and can be easier to set up in some cases.
When choosing a NAS protocol, it's important to consider your needs and which protocol will best meet them. If you're not sure which to choose, our team can help you make the right decision for your system.
NAS can have an unlimited number of users — there are no set user limits. Cloud NAS is designed to be scalable by adding more local storage, memory, and compute, easily accommodating a high number of users. Cloud NAS can also be used as a storage repository for a virtual private server (VPS) or cloud server, providing storage scalability and flexibility for these environments too. Whether you're looking for a personal Cloud NAS solution or need to provide storage for your business, NAS has the capacity and features you need.
Not sure which Cloud NAS protocol or setup fits your business? Talk to our team about the right approach.
Speak to our team →Below are some of the use cases for using Cloud NAS:
Cloud NAS is a type of network-attached storage designed to offer the benefits of cloud computing — scalability, elasticity, and performance. It works by utilising a single global namespace and file system across all nodes in the cluster, allowing data to be accessed quickly and efficiently no matter where it's located in the world. It also features local caching, improving performance by storing frequently accessed data locally on each node. Cloud NAS is designed to be highly scalable, so it can easily handle the needs of growing businesses — an ideal solution for businesses that need to store large amounts of data securely and access it quickly from anywhere in the world.
Cloud NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a file storage system that uses a cloud-based architecture. Systems are usually based on a clustered file system, allowing for scalability and high availability. NAS systems can be used to store and share files and provide storage for applications such as virtualisation and content management systems. Cloud NAS is typically used by organisations that need to store large amounts of data, or that require high availability and scalability, often alongside other cloud-based services such as backup and disaster recovery. Cloud NAS can be implemented as public, private, or hybrid clouds.
Below are some of the benefits of using Cloud NAS:
Cloud NAS solutions are becoming more and more popular among businesses of all kinds, letting companies use cloud storage for a wide range of applications, networks, and archive needs. The standard NAS approach is virtualised in the cloud, simplifying equipment and allowing for several deployment alternatives. Businesses require a reliable, cloud-based NAS that can provide limitless storage systems, backup, and storage as workloads change and the amount of data produced on a normal basis continues to grow.
Whether you're an individual or a business, cloud storage can help you easily store, access, and share large amounts of data from anywhere.
Tell us about your storage and access needs, and we'll help you find the right Cloud NAS setup.
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