Building the Ultimate Guide to NAS Drives

An Introduction to the why and how of NAS drives

Quick Points-

• Grows with you: In some setups, you can change out hard drives to grow your storage.
• Higher cost up front but no long-term or surprise costs.
• You know who owns and has access to your data.
• It can be used to back up your computer and phone.
• Multiple users can use the same system.
• As a Photographer, this is your missing link. Access your digital portfolio from anywhere in the world and then add to it.

Digital photography is an ever-evolving landscape. As cameras improve and media collections expand, both in size and quantity, managing and safeguarding this vast collection becomes paramount for both hobbyists and professional photographers. The need for efficient storage with expandable storage quotas, security, and collaboration capabilities has never been greater.

This is where Network Attached Storage (NAS) drives come into the picture. There are numerous brands of these “personal clouds,” including Synology, Qnap, WD My Cloud, and TerraMaster, to name a few. NAS drives to bridge the gap between traditional storage methods and the high demands of modern photographers. They serve as centralized hubs for storage, organization, sharing, and accessing your extensive library from anywhere, at any time.

But there’s more to consider. While many online clouds offer organization and “unlimited storage” with robust backup solutions, can you back up your computer to them? What happens if the company closes? Where are your photos, then? Are you stuck downloading terabytes of photos at the last minute, and if so, where do you store them? Does your phone sync to your cloud storage? Can you use the cloud for all of your files? And what about the cost? While a proper NAS setup might cost $300 or more upfront, you own it, and the cost stops there. On the other hand, online storage solutions entail ongoing costs.

Over the next few weeks, we will delve into Network Attached Storage, the missing link. From selection and size to setup and optimization, you will learn the ins and outs of the NAS drive. So get out the popcorn and a fizzy beverage and lets dive in.