NAS stands for network-attached storage and refers to dedicated file storage devices that are connected to a local area network (LAN) and provide shared storage and file access to multiple users and devices on the network (What Is Network-Attached Storage (NAS)? A Complete Guide). NAS systems contain one or more hard drives that store and retrieve data from a central location for authorized users. They operate as standalone devices with their own network connection rather than being part of the primary computer’s storage.
Personal cloud storage refers to private cloud storage services that consumers directly purchase and access to store personal data. They provide online file storage, backup, sharing, and syncing capabilities through various user applications and web interfaces. Some key examples of personal cloud storage services include Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Apple iCloud (Introduction to Network Attached Storage (NAS)). These services allow users to store files remotely to a cloud-based infrastructure and access them from multiple devices.
Definition of NAS
NAS or neonatal abstinence syndrome refers to a group of conditions that occur when a baby withdraws from substances like opioids that they were exposed to in the womb before birth. According to Pahl (2020), the contemporary definition of NAS is broad, and includes symptoms associated with prenatal exposure to many substances, both prescribed and non-prescribed.1 The withdrawal symptoms tend to appear within 72 hours after birth and may include excessive crying, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures.
The concept of NAS was first identified in the 1970s when heroin use by pregnant women became more prevalent. It was clear that newborns exposed to opioids in utero could experience withdrawal after birth. Over the decades, the understanding and definitions of NAS have evolved as more substances beyond illegal opioids have been implicated, including prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. The US Department of Health and Human Services convened a panel that proposed two key elements to diagnose NAS – prenatal exposure to substances and withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. This established a more precise definition to enable better identification and treatment of affected newborns.2
Definition of Personal Cloud
Personal cloud storage, also known as personal cloud or personal network attached storage (pNAS), refers to a cloud storage service optimized for personal media storage and streaming. The term was coined by Western Digital in 2012 with the release of their WD 2go and WD 2go Pro products.[1]
Personal cloud services allow users to store, sync, share, organize and stream photos, videos, music and documents from their own storage devices. This gives consumers full control over their media library while still gaining some of the benefits of cloud storage like remote access and content sharing.[1]
The goal of personal cloud is to provide an easy way for consumers to store and access their expanding digital libraries. By combining the flexibility of local storage with the connectivity of the cloud, personal cloud gives users the best of both worlds.[1]
Storage Location
The key difference in storage location between NAS and personal cloud is that NAS involves storage on a local network, while personal cloud storage is located remotely on servers. As the name implies, network-attached storage refers to storage that is attached directly to a local area network (LAN) (1). This allows multiple devices on the same network to access the centralized storage device. In contrast, personal cloud services rely on remote servers to provide storage. Rather than connecting locally, devices access cloud storage over the internet (2). While both offer centralized storage, NAS physically resides on the local network while personal cloud storage is hosted remotely.
Accessibility
One of the key differences between NAS and personal cloud storage is accessibility. NAS devices are typically only accessible within a local network (e.g. at home or in the office), while personal cloud storage is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. This means you can access your personal cloud from any device no matter where you are, while NAS access is limited to devices on the same LAN (Alibaba Cloud).
NAS is connected directly to a router, switch or computer within the local network, so the storage can only be accessed by other devices on that network. To access NAS storage remotely, additional configuration with a VPN may be required. In contrast, personal cloud storage is hosted remotely and accessed over the internet. This makes it accessible from any location and device with an internet connection and login credentials.
The limited accessibility of NAS makes it unsuitable for those wanting to access files frequently while traveling or from multiple locations. For seamless remote access from anywhere, a personal cloud storage solution is preferable over a NAS device.
Security
When it comes to security, a key difference between NAS and personal cloud storage is the level of control. With a NAS, the physical storage and hardware is under your control which means you get to decide the security protocols and measures put in place. Many NAS systems allow you to encrypt data, control user access, set up firewalls, and enable various other security features. However, with personal cloud storage, security depends on the specific provider. You are trusting a third party cloud provider to properly secure your data. Though most major providers utilize encryption and have robust security practices, the level of security can vary greatly between providers.
According to Stonefly, while public cloud storage providers meet the security and compliance needs of most businesses, keeping data on a private NAS potentially allows for greater control and security. With a NAS, you control the encryption keys and manage the security settings directly (Source). Meanwhile, with public cloud storage, you are dependent on the provider’s security model. Which option is most secure depends on your specific security needs and technical capabilities to manage on-premises storage security.
Scalability
One key difference between NAS and personal cloud storage is scalability. As defined by StoneFly, scalability refers to the ability of a storage system to easily expand its capacity and adjust to changing storage needs. NAS systems rely on physical drives within the NAS device itself to provide storage capacity. Adding more capacity requires manually adding more physical drives. In contrast, cloud storage systems are highly scalable. As explained by HPE, cloud storage can easily scale up or down on demand. Cloud capacity is flexible and expandable through the cloud provider’s infrastructure, without being limited by local physical hardware.
Cost
The cost of NAS versus personal cloud storage can vary significantly. NAS requires an upfront investment in hardware, with basic NAS devices starting around $500-600 and higher-end devices costing over $1,000 1. On top of the hardware cost, additional hard drives must be purchased for storage capacity, with a single 2TB hard drive costing $50-100.
In contrast, personal cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud require only a low monthly or annual subscription fee. For example, Google One offers 100GB of storage for $1.99/month, while Dropbox Plus with 2TB of storage is $9.99/month 2. This subscription model means no large upfront investment in hardware.
Over several years, the subscription fees for a large amount of cloud storage can end up costing more than a NAS device. However, NAS requires ongoing costs for maintenance, repairs, and drive replacements. For individuals or small teams with basic storage needs, a personal cloud plan is often the more cost-effective and convenient option.
Use Cases
NAS is preferable over cloud storage when you need fast, local access to files and total control over security and permissions. NAS gives users immediate access to files stored on servers on-premises rather than having to download them from the cloud. This makes NAS preferable for storing and accessing large media files like videos or games (Spiceworks). NAS also gives full administrative control over security, so it’s better for storing sensitive data that needs tight access restrictions.
Cloud storage is preferable when you need to access files from anywhere or share files with remote users. Storing files in the cloud allows access from any internet-connected device rather than just locally (TechTarget). The cloud also makes sharing and collaboration easier since files are available remotely. Cloud storage provides unlimited capacity that can scale on demand, while NAS has fixed storage limits.
In summary, NAS is better for performance, security and control, while cloud provides accessibility, collaboration, and unlimited storage capacity.
Conclusion
In summary, the key differences between NAS and personal cloud storage are:
- NAS stores data on physical hardware you control while personal cloud stores data remotely on third party servers
- NAS only allows local network access usually while personal cloud allows access from anywhere with an internet connection
- NAS offers more physical control over data security while personal cloud relies on the provider’s security measures
- NAS has limited scalability based on physical hardware while personal cloud offers unlimited storage capacity
- NAS requires larger upfront costs for hardware while personal cloud has recurring subscription fees for services
When choosing between NAS and personal cloud, consider your budget, accessibility needs, preferred security model, and storage requirements. NAS works well for storing large volumes of data securely in one physical location. Personal cloud better enables global access, collaboration, and unlimited capacity without hardware investment.
For individuals and small teams on a budget looking to keep data in-house, NAS provides good private network storage and backup. But for those needing ubiquitous access, seamless scalability, and managed security, personal cloud services merit strong consideration.