NAS or SAN? These two network storage solutions address different needs. This guide simply explains what sets them apart and how to choose based on your infrastructure.
What is a NAS?
A NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a storage enclosure connected to the network that shares files (via SMB, NFS). Easy to deploy and manage, it is ideal for document sharing, backups, and local storage in small and medium-sized businesses.
What is a SAN?
A SAN (Storage Area Network) is a dedicated storage network that presents block-level volumes to servers (via iSCSI, Fibre Channel), as if they were local disks. More complex and higher performing, it supports virtualization and demanding databases.
NAS or SAN: the comparison
| Criteria | NAS | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| Access type | Files (SMB/NFS) | Blocks (iSCSI/FC) |
| Complexity | Simple | High |
| Performance | Good | Very high |
| Cost | Affordable | Higher |
| Typical use | Sharing, backup | Virtualization, databases |
Which one to choose?
- NAS: file sharing, backups, controlled budget, simple administration.
- SAN: high performance, large-scale virtualization, low latency required.
In many SMEs, a properly sized NAS is more than enough. A SAN is justified when block performance and centralization become critical.
Regarding hardware
Whatever the solution, reliability depends on the drives and RAID. Estimate your capacity with our RAID calculator, and check out our storage bays / NAS, our hard drives & SSDs, and our servers.
FAQ: NAS and SAN
Can a NAS do block mode?
Some NAS devices offer iSCSI, blurring the line. But a true SAN remains more performant for large-scale block storage.
Is SAN always faster?
For intensive block access, yes. For simple file sharing, a good NAS is sufficient.
Can a SAN be backed up to tape?
Yes, LTO tape backup remains an excellent archival target.
For more details, read our server storage guide.