storage area network (SAN) vs network-attached storage (NAS)

A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a specialized, high-speed network that connects storage devices directly to servers, making storage appear as if it’s locally attached. It’s ideal for high-performance tasks and large data centers. Network-Attached Storage (NAS), on the other hand, is a dedicated device connected to a standard network, providing shared file access to multiple users over Ethernet. SANs are typically faster and suited for intensive data workloads, while NAS offers easier setup and is suitable for shared file storage and backup in smaller or departmental environments.