A NAS is similar to a small computer. It consists of a motherboard, CPU, RAM, disk bays for hard disks and a dedicated operating system. ASUSTOR NAS devices are also designed with a variety of I/O connection ports for increased application flexibility.

With the advent of cloud computing, a NAS can be thought of as a type of private cloud storage service. The capacity of the cloud storage space can differ according to personal requirements. Currently, the size of the largest capacity hard disks available on the market is 16TB. Once you have a NAS, you can centralize all the data you have scattered across all your devices and can access it at any time. Having a personal cloud allows you to protect your privacy. Your NAS can be connected to your local network for private use or to the Internet. Even when open to the Internet, ASUSTOR NAS provides security features such as ADM Defender, HTTPS connections, access permissions configuration, encrypted folders, and antivirus protection that keep your data safe and secure.

ASUSTOR NAS devices utilize high quality hardware such as Intel Core-i3, Celeron and Atom platforms that can offer premium stability and performance. On the world-renowned NAS review and media website Smallnetbuilder, ASUSTOR’s AS7004T is ranked first overall for performance among 4 bay NAS devices. ASUSTOR’s AS5104 was ranked second. In addition to file read/write and transfer speeds, performance also includes smooth multitasking of applications, maintenance of stable system operation, an efficient cooling system featuring ASUSTOR’s exclusive smart fan system that controls the system temperature. All these factors must be taken into account when assessing performance.

Whether or not a NAS has sufficient hardware expansion flexibility is very important to businesses. Different ASUSTOR NAS series feature different hardware expandability options and support such as USB 3.0/2.0, eSATA and LAN ports, expandable memory, or 10GbE Ethernet card support. For example, for ASUSTOR’s 5 series devices, the 2-bay and 4-bay models feature dual Ethernet ports while the 8-bay and 10-bay models feature quad Ethernet ports. ASUSTOR’s 50, 51, 61, 62 and 70 series devices also feature expandable memory while 7 series devices feature support for 10GbE Ethernet cards on 8-bay models and up. Models designed for use in the home such as the 2 and 3 series feature 3.5 mm audio jacks while the 5 series devices feature support for S/PDIF audio output. With regards to software expandability, all ASUSTOR NAS devices feature the exclusive App Central NAS App repository which features over 200 unique Apps. Users can download these Apps free of charge to add functionality to their NAS devices. When selecting a NAS, the type of functionality provided by the should be considered based on individual needs. Examples of functions to consider include multimedia playback, surveillance camera management, Windows environment integration, cross-platform access, mail server requirements, VPN server requirements and more. Software and hardware expandability is important to consider and should influence your choice of NAS.

The aesthetics and user friendliness of the system interface directly influences whether or not users will want to use a product. When selecting a NAS you should consider the NAS operating system’s overall design and operation, making sure that the interface is one that you will want to use again and again. All ASUSTOR NAS devices feature ASUSTOR’s original ADM (ASUSTOR Data Master) operating system, featuring simplified operation and management. ADM offers a usage experience similar to ones found on mobile devices making it intuitive and easy to use, with virtually no learning curve. This lowers the barriers for first time users, allowing them acclimate quickly. ADM also features a variety of customizable options for system wallpaper and login screen allowing users to personalize their NAS.

A NAS primarily provides constant always-on service, therefore a stable and energy efficient device is should be one of the key points to take into consideration, especially for businesses. In addition to basic power scheduling functions, other energy saving functions to look for include system sleep mode, LED power controls, flexible power management settings. ASUSTOR NAS provides a variety of easy to use power control mechanisms that allows users to save a significant amount of power.

In the past a NAS was a network device that protected and ensured data security by providing storage and backup. It was primarily targeted to and used by business users. However, due to the increasing digitization of data and the continual development of computers and mobile devices, the needs for storage are no longer just limited to businesses. A variety of different consumer segments are beginning to have increasing digital storage needs. In response to this, ASUSTOR has utilized a new and innovative non-traditional design concept to create a new generation of network storage devices. ASUSTOR is the first to create NAS products that are designed with an App-based concept, producing a versatile, flexible and customizable storage platform that has something to offer to all types of users. Users are free to create a unique and customized device according to their needs. In addition to the core storage features, ASUSTOR NAS offers an immense range of add-on functionality allowing users to discover the unlimited possibilities of NAS.

Advantages of an App-based design concept:

• Ability to upgrade the firmware and installed Apps separately. Official firmware upgrades optimize the system’s core functions and performance while individual upgrades for installed Apps improve user experiences.
• Flexibility to only install Apps that are needed and to remove them at any time. No more worrying about unused Apps taking up system resources or affecting the operation of core functions.
• Provides users with more freedom to only install the Apps that they need.
• Open platform enables enthusiasts to develop more applications benefiting all users.

ASUSTOR NAS devices provide seamless cross-platform file sharing, allowing you to easily connect to your NAS device no matter if you are using Windows, Mac OS, or Unix-like operating systems. ASUSTOR NAS also features Cloud Connect technology for convenient remote access. Cloud Connect gives you an easy to remember hostname that you can use to connect to your NAS from anywhere. No matter if you are far from home, on your mobile device or at work, all you need is your simple hostname to instantly connect to your NAS. ASUSTOR also provides added security for remote connections with all mobile apps featuring HTTPS encrypted connection options and passcode lock, ensuring for a safe NAS experience. Furthermore, ASUSTOR is the only vendor in the industry to provide NAS system initialization via mobile devices. This means that users can complete setup of their NAS system using only their mobile device, providing a type of convenience that no other NAS on the market can match.

An advantage of purchasing an ASUSTOR NAS is that it supports seamless system migration. With system migration, when it's time to move your storage volumes to a new ASUSTOR NAS system, simply take out your existing hard drives and then insert them into the new system. The new system should be up and running instantly. This function is especially convenient for business users who can upgrade their NAS as the scale of their business expands.