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Desktop NAS: Bays, RAID and Drives Explained

Network-attached storage boxes with 1 to 12 drive bays for shared files, backups and media, sold diskless or with drives installed. 230 products from $16.99 to $16,293.99. Buffalo Technology, Synology Inc., Qnap and more.

230 products from $16.99

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Bay count, RAID level and usable capacity

The number of bays sets what protection you can have. A 2-bay unit can mirror two drives, so you keep half the raw space; a 4-bay unit can run RAID 5, which survives one drive failure and gives up one drive's worth of space, or RAID 6 and 10 for tougher protection. RAID keeps the NAS running when a drive fails but is not a backup: deletion, ransomware or fire destroy both copies, so keep another copy elsewhere.

Diskless means the box arrives empty and you supply the drives; listings that include drives show the total, such as 8 TB as two 4 TB drives. Use drives rated for NAS duty, avoid mixing very different sizes because the smallest sets the usable size in many arrays, and check the maker's compatibility list. Expansion units add bays to a compatible NAS but contain no processor of their own.

Processor, memory, network ports and what you plan to run

Arm-based units are enough for file sharing, phone backup and light services. x86 models with a Ryzen or Xeon processor handle media transcoding, containers and virtual machines far better. Installed memory ranges from 2 to 8 GB or more, and some models take a memory upgrade module. Look at the network port too: 1 Gbit/s Ethernet caps transfers near 110 MB/s, while 2.5 or 10 Gbit/s ports let several drives work at full speed. M.2 slots in some models add an SSD cache.

Questions about Desktop NAS: Bays, RAID and Drives Explained

Is RAID the same as a backup?
No. RAID keeps the NAS running if a drive fails, but it does not protect against deletion, ransomware, fire or a failed controller. Keep a separate backup copy on another device or in another place.
Can I use any hard drive in a NAS?
Most accept standard 3.5-inch SATA drives, but NAS-rated models suit always-on use and RAID. Makers publish compatibility lists, so check yours, and use drives of similar size and speed to get the most usable space.
What does diskless mean?
The enclosure arrives without drives, and you fit your own in the bays. Units listed with drives show the total capacity, such as 8 TB as two 4 TB drives. Check how many bays remain free if you plan to expand.