Network Attached Storage devices are also known as NAS devices and NAS drives. They are mainly used to backup your files to a central external hard drive so if you have multiple PC’s the files can still be accessed directly instead of having multiple copies of each file stored on each PC. This prevents you from getting into document synchronization hell. But NAS drives are so much more than an external hard drive; it is where you and your family can share files like pictures, music, documents etc.
The flexibility of some of these NAS devices have the ability to increase storage capacity by adding additional hard drives as well as decrease the risk of losing all your precious files if the hard drive in the NAS device fails. These are available on the market now but can come at a price though. Personally I use a single drive solution and use online backup to store my valuable pics and documents but that’s not to say the option is not there for individuals and businesses to pay a bit more to get RAID capable Network Attached Storage Devices. More and more small to medium sized businesses are buying these instead of buying expensive servers and having to configure them as file servers. Some NAS devices are capable of being print servers as well but the majority of them need to be connected directly to the printer, so please ensure you read the tech specs first before buying.
For those individuals or businesses that need a bit more from a standard NAS drive there are ones that have more features and richer functionality. Some are capable of joining AD domains, some are capable of streaming films to DNLA compliant devices, therefore capable of wirelessly streaming your films to devices like PS3 and Xbox’s.
By: Jon William Jones
Posts Tagged ‘Flexibility’
What is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) Device?
March 27th, 2010Network Wiring Standards
December 15th, 2009
There are two wiring standards for network cabling. T568A and T568B are the two standards for the RJ-45 or 8-position modular connector, permitted under the TIA/EIA-568-A wiring standards document. The only difference between T568A and T568B (also known as Weco, AT&T 258A) is that the orange and green wire pairs (pairs two and three) are interchanged. How to decide which wiring pattern to use:
1. Does the job specification call out a wiring pattern?
2. Does the customer/end user have a preference for T568A or T568B?
3. Have patch panels already been purchased for the job? If so, they will probably be either T568A or T568B. The jacks should be wired to the same pattern as the panels.
4. Are you adding on to an existing wiring plant? If so, your new wiring should match the existing wiring.
If none of the factors above apply, either T568A or T568B may be used. It is important to ensure that the workstation connectors and the patch panels are wired to the same pattern. T568B is commonly used in commercial installations, while T568A is prevalent in residential installations. For these reasons, we almost always use T568B for unspecified installations.
One bonus is that most networking equipment presently on the market have wiring diagrams for either T568A or T568B. Since the difference is only the switching of two pairs of wires, it is easy enough for manufacturers to print both standards on their hardware. For example, a patch panel that is labeled for T568A/T568B will usually have the color-coded wiring diagrams above and below the actual punchdown. One will typically be labeled T568A and the other T568B. This type of hardware is preferred by installers due to its flexibility.
By: Dean Novosat
