Three Architectures, One Decision
Every storage conversation eventually reduces to three letters: DAS, SAN or NAS. Each solves a different problem, and choosing wrongly either wastes budget or strands you when growth arrives. Here is the comparison framework Tech Guru uses with clients across India.
Quick Definitions
- DAS - disks attached directly to one server; fastest and cheapest, but capacity is locked to that server.
- SAN - a dedicated network delivering shared block storage to many servers; highest performance and features, highest cost and complexity.
- NAS - an appliance serving shared files over the LAN; easiest way to give people and applications common folders.
Decide by Workload
- Single database or backup server with local performance needs - choose DAS.
- Virtualisation cluster, ERP or multiple servers needing shared fast disks - choose SAN.
- Team file sharing, document retention and departmental data - choose NAS.
- Offsite copies and archives - add cloud storage as a fourth tier.
Decide by Budget and Skills
In INR terms, DAS has the lowest entry cost, NAS sits comfortably in SMB budgets, and SAN requires meaningful investment in arrays, switches and skills. A useful rule: buy the simplest architecture that satisfies the workload for the next three years. Most mid size Indian companies end up with a sensible mix - a NAS for files, DAS or SAN under critical applications, and cloud for offsite protection.
How We Help
Our assessment profiles each workload objectively. The proposal maps every workload to an architecture with costed options rather than a one size answer. Implementation and long term support then deliver the design end to end.
Practical Guidance
Never buy storage from a spec sheet alone - insist on sizing based on your measured data. For a workload mapping session, reach us at app.techguru.co.in or +91-8800567676.
