Network Attached Storage (SNA) refers to storage devices that are usually connected to a network where a computer system is able to access file services. The access protocols that are used in network-attached storage are NFS or CIFS. Just like the cloud, NAS can be accessed from anywhere provided one is connected to the internet. In addition, the user needs to have the username and the password to the network in order to access the data. In most cases, NAS storage are used in small and medium-sized companies to offer cost-effective storage. Some of the operations that NAS can support include business analytics, supporting accounting databases, and payrolls, among others (Snia, 2020). NAS has gained a lot of popularity due to the flexibility that it offers to companies. Due to this, cloud service providers are also providing NAS services. This helps them market their products so that their clients can incorporate both the cloud and NAS for their storage purposes. Cloud-based storage and NAS help to ensure that there is an easy replication of data.
If I were to implement a shared file system within the cloud, I would choose Microsoft as my provider, specifically the Microsoft One Drive for Business. Microsoft One Drive for Business offers various methods that one can use to view files. In addition, due to the implementation of AI, users can access the most recently viewed files easily (Brame & Sevilla, 2019). In addition, users can access the most important file and folders with ease by using Microsoft One Drive for Business. Microsoft has been around for a long time; thus, it provides one of the best-shared file system services. The approximate cost of cloud-based data is 0.02 USD per month (Juhasz, 2020)