NAS drives take the pain out of backing up and sharing files across your PCs. Jonathan Parkyn explains why you might need one and how to set it up
Network attached storage (NAS) devices used to be costly and complicated to set up. But prices have dropped to the point where some models aren’t much more expensive than a standard external drive – Western Digital’s 2TB My Cloud, for example, can be bought for around £110 (www.snipca.com/23561). User-friendliness has also drastically improved, and many NAS devices are now simpler than ever to configure. But what is a NAS? Do you need one? And, if so, how do you go about setting one up? Read on to find out.
What is a NAS?
A NAS is a type of external storage. But instead of connecting to a single PC via a USB port (like an external hard drive, for example), it connects to all your devices – including PCs, phones, tablets and even smart TVs – via your home network. This gives you access to all of your stored files all the time. The benefit being that you’ll be able to stream photos, videos and music to any of your devices whenever you want, and you won’t have to worry about making sure your PCs have enough hard-drive space or are connected to an external hard drive, before you back them up.
Should you get one?
If you only have one PC and rarely need to access your photos or files on any other device, then a basic USB drive might be all you need for backing up or expanding your storage. If, on the other hand, you have multiple PCs and other connected devices at home, then it could be very useful to have a centralised storage unit that lets you back up all your computers and share files between devices without having to transfer them.
There are a few other benefits to consider too. Most devices can be configured for remote access, allowing you to retrieve files over the internet when you’re away from home. Some NAS units also feature a USB socket for connecting other devices, such as printers, cameras and additional external drives, allowing you to quickly and easily share these over your network.
What NAS should you get?
Higher-end NAS products can contain multiple hard drives (anything up to 16) and support RAID configurations, which replicate your data across different hard drives within the NAS so you won’t lose your data if one drive fails. While you pay more for this privilege, a NAS with multiple drives can be a good choice if you’re storing a lot of important files that you couldn’t stand to lose, such as digital photos. However, for most home users, it’s usually easier (and cheaper) to get a NAS with a single, large hard drive such as the aforementioned WD My Cloud range.
The next thing to consider is storage capacity. 2TB might sound like a lot, but if you’re backing up multiple PCs and portable devices, you could soon be struggling for space. If you can stretch to 4TB, it might be advisable to do so. Alternatively, get a model that lets you replace the hard drive, so you can swap it for a larger one at a later date.
How do you set up a NAS?
Physically setting up a NAS is pretty straightforward: plug it into the mains, then use an Ethernet cable (usually supplied) to connect it to one of your router’s sockets. The wired connection enables the fastest possible transfer speeds – Gigabit Ethernet (1Gbit/s), if your router supports it – though you’ll still be able to access files wirelessly, thanks to your router’s Wi-Fi network.
Once the NAS is connected, you should check the instructions that came with your NAS to find out what to do next. WD’s My Cloud, for example, tells you to visit a web page on your PC to download the My Cloud program. Running this guides you through the setup process, whereby you can set up an admin account, add shortcuts to your desktop and install any files your PC requires to connect to the NAS drive.
Automatically back up your files
Most NAS devices come with their own backup software that makes identical copies of the files and folders you want to back up and then keeps these files up to date to reflect any changes you make. WD My Cloud users, for example, can download a tool called WD Sync for Windows from www.snipca.com/23562. Install it on all the PCs you want to back up from then simply choose the folders you want to keep synced.
If you prefer, you can use Windows’ built-in backup tools. In Windows 10, for example, click Start, Settings, ‘Update & security’, then Backup. Click ‘Add a drive’, then click ‘Show all network locations’. You should see some of your NAS folders listed here. Click the one you want to back up to. Click ‘More options’ to select which of your PC’s folders you want to include (or exclude) from the backup.
In some cases, you may need to map a folder on your NAS as a network drive so that it shows as a drive in the Network Location section (under This PC) in File Explorer. Open File Explorer and click This PC, Computer, ‘Map network drive’, then browse to the NAS folder you want to back up to and enter the login for your NAS when prompted.
Set up media streaming
NAS drives usually include built-in media-server software, which lets them share music, videos or photos stored on them. You can usually access your NAS’s interface by typing its IP address into a web browser and logging in when prompted. You might also find a desktop shortcut to this interface was added when you set the device up. Look through the settings for a Media section (or similar) and make sure it’s switched on (it will sometimes be called a DLNA media server).
In most cases, you’ll need to store your media files in specific folders in order to share them. For example, WD Cloud devices are preconfigured with Shared Music, Shared Pictures and Shared Video folders within the Public folder. Any files stored in these will be automatically shared by the media server.
Since DLNA is a universal platform, any media-streaming devices you have connected to your network, such as smart TVs or Amazon Fire TV products, should pick up your NAS device’s server and allow you to browse and play files. To access and stream your files from a phone or tablet, you’ll need to install an app – for example, the free WD My Cloud app for iOS (www.snipca.com/23563) or Android (www.snipca.com/23564).
Make sure your NAS is secure
NAS devices can be configured for remote access, over the internet. This might seem like a potential security risk but, in most cases, connections are heavily encrypted – you’ll be prompted to create a user name and password when setting up your NAS, and only someone with that password can access your NAS remotely.
That said, it’s vital to keep your NAS device’s software up to date. As with Windows, NAS makers frequently issue updates to fix newly discovered vulnerabilities, and running older NAS software could leave your data exposed to hackers. Check the Settings section of your device’s configuration tool for an Updates or Firmware section and make sure it’s set to install updates automatically. If you prefer, it’s usually possible to disable remote access and opt to limit your NAS to only within your home.