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Matthew MisterJul 30, 2019 3:02:31 PM< 1 min read

What is the difference between NAS and NFS?

There are a lot of difference acronyms out there when talking about technology. One that we get questions about often revolves around the difference between NAS and NFS.

NAS is a type of network design.

NFS is a type of protocol used to connect to a NAS.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a device that allows users to access files through a network. It allows users to access and share files from their individual stations through a central server. 

NFS (Network File System) is a protocol that is used to serve and share files on a network.  Similar protocols include SMB (Server Message Block) and AFP (Apple Filing Protocol).

In short, a NAS system can use the NFS protocol to perform its task. However, a NFS is not a NAS.

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