The usage of DAS systems has become more prevalent due to increasing demands for efficient storage solutions, all thanks to its features and benefits that present high storage performance.
DAS is a storage system that can be directly attached to a computer or server. DAS storage can be either hard drives & SSDs integrated with computer systems or USB drives connected externally to a device.
How does Direct Attached Storage (DAS) Work?
While most people use direct attached storage in some form or other, they aren’t well aware of its benefits and usage. Let’s understand all about it here.
As mentioned above, DAS storage can be internal or external and does not need a network connection to store data. You can attach DAS directly to a host computer or server.
You can attach Internal DAS to a server or computer through a high-speed bus adapter. Each PC comes with at least one DAS drive. It can be a traditional and high-capacity hard disk drive (HDD) or a faster solid-state drive (SSD).
Then there is external DAS, like external hard drives and drive enclosures. These can be connected to servers and computers through USB, SATA, SCSI, or SAS. In short, DAS gets directly to computers and servers, commonly through the motherboard (internally) or a port (externally).
Once the connection is established, the DAS can only be managed and controlled by the computer it is attached to. If an external computer wants to DAS, it must first communicate with the computer where the DAS is connected. Herein, direct access isn’t possible.
DAS storage is most popular because of its low transfer latencies. However, these storages are also prone to every vulnerability of the system. Hence proper DAS security is essential for the same, to protect devices from various malicious attacks and cyber thefts.
Why is DAS an Ideal Storage option?
- Better Performance:
With DAS, you can access data quickly, as it is connected directly to the computer being used to request access and consume data. Unlike other storage options, it’s not connected to a network. Hence, network traffic and connectivity issues don’t affect the data accessibility for reading/write.
- Quick Setup:
These storages are impressively simple to set up, configure, and access. That is so because every computer and server come with internal direct attached storage, making it easier to access for immediate use. In the case of external DAS devices, they are connected via a USB port and start functioning as soon as they are plugged in.
- Cost Efficiency:
These storages are cost-efficient compared to their counterparts, NAS and SAN; they require additional hardware and software for management. With DAS, you only need to plug in the disk drive and drive enclosure, and you are sorted.
That is How DAS Storage Helps Business Cut Cost:
If you search the market for business storage devices, you will find the Direct attached storage to be one of the most affordable storage options. For instance, you can purchase a 5TB external hard drive for under 200 bucks and 2TB SSD drives for around 600 with a RAID-supported enclosure.
Such a cost-benefit makes DAS an ideal storage solution for businesses that don’t manage large amounts of data. Also, DAS storage is a practical choice for many small to medium-sized businesses whose storage costs are prime considerations.
Moreover, the cost of setting up and maintaining DAS systems is comparably less than networked storage solutions (NAS). It’s like getting a high-performance, high-capacity commercial solution at a lower cost.
Who Can Benefit from DAS Storage?
- Users looking for Budget Friendly Storage Solution:
DAS is the best alternative to expensive storage options like SAN and NAS. Direct attached storage is a cost-effective option for small and mid-size businesses with huge storage needs but can’t afford advanced ones.
In the case of DAS, all you need is storage devices and enclosures (optional), and you can add more storage according to your need.
- Users looking for a Simple Storage Solution:
DAS is also an ideal solution for businesses that don’t have large network setups or share information across their different office setups. DAS is a simple storage solution for small to mid-sized businesses, enabling them to set up storage without IT support requirements.
Conclusion:
DAS is one of the great storage solutions that take the lead regarding cost, speed, and performance. If you are a small to mid-size business, you must definitely think about this dependable solution to cater to your data storage needs while saving additional purchasing and maintenance costs.
