The Best NAS Drives In 2021
Issues with storage space can be somewhat tricky to deal with, usually because the actual problem doesn’t crop up until it’s a significantly difficult issue to handle. Businesses that process a large amount of data always need to be one step ahead with removing any potential issues with their storage capacity – and one excellent way to do this is by using a network-attached storage system (or NAS) for their business.
But what exactly is a NAS, and what are the best brands to consider when buying them? A network-attached storage system basically functions as a storage unit of data for devices inside a specific network. This allows anyone connected to said network to access files and information from the storage system without having to physically plug in their units to the actual hardware. NAS drives are generally categorized by function, but some brands have a proven track record of making ones suitable for business operations.
Three Of The Best NAS Drives That Your Company Can Use
When it comes to storage, three brands have been well-known for their devices. The specific NAS drives we’ve chosen are based on what we believe is their most outstanding feature compared to others of the same brand – though you should always be aware of the needs of your business before settling on one.
Red NAS Hard Disk Drive – Western Digital
The Red NAS Hard Disk Drive combines all the essential elements that consumers have come to expect from Western Digital storage units: simple and does the job.
- Capacity: 2 to 14 TB
- Bay capacity: 8
- RPM: 5400
- 3-year limited warranty
One particular reason we’d recommend this NAS drive is that the different storage capacities that you get can work with almost any kind of business, and it’s a relatively simple system to use. Even the smallest IT team can deploy and run these NAS drives, which can be an easy fix if you run into storage issues without warning.
The sequential transfer speeds (or how fast the drive can read and write data to other devices that access it) are comparatively fast compared to other models in the same price range, all with its internal components withstanding constant use. Combined with the solid construction from WD products, it’s a product that can last your business for a long time.
IronWolf NAS Internal Hard Drive – Seagate
Seagate’s HDD and SATA SSD experience combine for a truly efficient storage unit, giving you the best of your money’s worth in performance and durability.
- Capacity: 1 to 18 TB
- Bay capacity: 8-24
- RPM: 7200 +
- 3 year limited warranty
Seagate’s NAS drive is one of the more expensive options for a NAS system, but features like whisper-quiet performance, fast data writing speeds, and shock protection justify the higher price tag. The options that a business has with choosing a specific Seagate NAS range from small HDD drives to high-performance SATA SSD drives for lightning-fast speeds and reliable connection between devices.
Seagate’s native NAS optimization is the cornerstone of the entire system: it’s what allows this unit to work extremely fast without the risk of failing. If your business regularly shares and processes data between departments and devices, this is one of the best options that you can get.
N300 NAS 3.5-inch Internal Hard Drive – Toshiba
Small, unobtrusive, yet still performs extremely well, Toshiba’s N300 is designed for reliable 24/7 operation suitable for most data sharing applications.
- Capacity: 4 to 8 TB
- Bay capacity: 8
- RPM: 7200
- 3 year limited warranty
The N300 can be considered the entry model for many businesses looking to invest in NAS systems – while it doesn’t have the rapid processing speed of premium models, it has respectable performance coupled with a reasonable price point. A 180TB workload rating means that it can handle consistent use without slowing down, especially coupled with its RV sensors that reduce the effects of vibrations on its mechanisms.
Even if the individual units may seem lacking in performance, the capability to increase bays up to 8 units means that you can scale the demands of storage space fairly easily without having to sacrifice your already-existing hardware. Any business looking to support their data with additional storage space can’t go wrong with this choice.
One thing to note about all these drives is that their full efficiency can’t be measured accurately if you aren’t aware of the needs of your business. A NAS not optimized for the storage and data demands of your system can end up feeling subpar if you haven’t bought one to your exact specifications. Depending on the kind of data that you process and the number of devices on your network, you need to be careful with how you choose a NAS drive to integrate with your IT system.
Make Your IT Systems More Efficient With Abacus Managed IT Services
Reliable access to much-needed information is one of the core essentials of any IT system, which makes setting up a network-attached storage system for your business a necessity. If you’re looking for a more robust NAS system, you can also consider Synology – a storage-efficient NAS setup where you can get the most value out of your storage drives. They’re easy to set up and can be flexible with their data capacities, a must-have for any IT system that needs to be scaled up.
Abacus can help you safeguard your data and make it more efficient to store and access in your IT systems. With our history of providing the best IT tools and strategies – combined with personalized customer service – to our businesses, we’ve become a long-time partner of many businesses looking to improve their IT services. We use the latest security solutions and storage protection for your organization, giving you the peace of mind needed to know that your data is safe. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
