NAS(Network-Attached Storage)

A NAS (Network-Attached Storage) provides shared storage over protocols like SMB and NFS. You can build one yourself with TrueNAS or OpenMediaVault, or buy a turnkey unit from Synology or QNAP. Most NAS setups use RAID or ZFS to protect against drive failure. Remember: a NAS provides availability, not backups — you still need offsite copies.

Deciding between DIY and a pre-built appliance comes down to priorities. A Synology or QNAP is polished, quiet and quick to set up, but costs more per terabyte and is less flexible. A DIY NAS on TrueNAS or OpenMediaVault costs less, is far more powerful, and teaches you a lot — at the price of more setup. Whichever you choose, plan capacity generously (redundancy consumes usable space), use CMR drives rated for 24/7 operation, protect it with a UPS so a power cut can't corrupt data mid-write, and treat the 3-2-1 backup rule as non-negotiable.