Difference between Storage Area Network (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) – GeeksforGeeks

Storage Area Network (SAN) is used for transferring the data between the servers and the storage devices’ fiber channels and switches. In SAN (Storage Area Network), data is identified by disk block. Protocols that are used in SAN are SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), etc. 

Components of Storage Area Network (SAN):

1. Node ports
2. Cables
3. Interconnect devices such as Hubs, switches, directors
4. Storage arrays
5. SAN management Software 

 Network Attached Storage (NAS), data is identified by file name as well as byte offset. In-Network Attached Storage, the file system is managed by Head units such as CPU and Memory. In this for backup and recovery, files are used instead of the block-by-block copying technique.

Components of Network Attached Storage (NAS):

1. Head unit: CPU, Memory
2. Network Interface Card (NIC)
3. Optimized operating system
4. Protocols
5. Storage protocols: ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), SCSI, FC (Fibre Channel)

The difference between Storage Area Network (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) are as follows:

SANNASSAN stands for Storage Area Network.NAS stands for Network Attached Storage.In SAN (Storage Area Network), data is identified by disk block.In NAS (Network Attached Storage), data is identified by file name as well as byte offset.In SAN (Storage Area Network), the file system is managed by servers.In NAS (Network Attached Storage), file system is managed by Head unit.SAN (Storage Area Network) is more costly.NAS (Network Attached Storage) is less expensive than SAN.SAN(Storage Area Network) is more complex than NAS.NAS (Network Attached Storage) is less complex than SAN.Protocols used in SAN are: SCSI, SATA, etc.Protocols used in NAS are: File server, CIFS (Common Internet File System), etc.For backups and recovery in SAN, Block by block copying technique is used.For backups and recovery in NAS, Files are used.SAN gives high performance in high-speedefforthigh-speed traffic systems.While NAS is not suitable for that environment which has high speed traffic.SAN needs more time and efforts in organizing and controlling.NAS is easy to manage and provides a simple interface for organizing and controlling.SAN does not depends on the LAN and uses a high-speedfiber channel network.NAS needs TCP/IP networks and depends on the LAN.Mostly used in enterprise environments.Applications include small-sized organizations high-speed and homes.It has lower latency.Compared to SAN, NAS has higher latency. SAN supports virtualization.NAS does not support virtualization. The working of SAN is not affected by network traffic bottlenecks.The working of NAS is affected by network traffic bottlenecks.

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