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Do I need to have an IT staff to support a network attached storage?
We don't have an IT staff yet, but the idea has come up several times. I heard that having a network attached storage system can improve our business in a few areas. Are there advantages to having a network attached storage system versus a non-network attached system?
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5 Answers
Most of the network attached storage devices I have worked with are pretty simple to setup and manage. They typically have a web interface for management and once the shares are configured need little maintenance. I do not think you need an IT person to install or manage a NAS device. If your company starts looking at a Storage Area Network (SAN) then an IT person or consultant will most likely be needed to install and maintain the storage infrastructure.
Tom,
I agree with Jay that the NAS configuration and maintenance is relatively simple. Please be sure to consider the network traffic pattern change that will occur once the device is in place. You don't want the traffic to your new storage solution clogging up the network for your employees and customers.
You may want to consider sharing the "why(s)" that is/are driving your strategy concerning this investment. Then, maybe a few of us could help you weigh the pros and cons of the decision.
Thanks!
The problem may not be so much in the installation or the maintenance and upkeep. There could be however a major issue in the creating and provisioning of backups. With all the data centralised, backups will become a critical factor.
Good comments above. This raises more questions than answers. Another possibility is to outsource the data storage. This will take care of the maintenance, backup and recovery, and needing more storage. Like everything in life - it comes with a cost.
If you just want storage or a shared drive then you can set one up in minutes.
Addendum to my answer above
1. If you are thinking of NAS, you better have a dedicated IT Team.
2. NAS very broadly helps by "concentrating" the data in a single node such that it is easier for backups. It also makes it easier for failure
3. NAS can be professionally set up in minutes. There are several boxes available - almost the type that "Bill Gates" calls plug-and-play.
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