What is a primary drawback of NAS?

The primary drawback of NAS, or Network Attached Storage, is its limited performance compared to other storage solutions, especially direct-attached storage (DAS). NAS operates over a network, which can introduce latency and bandwidth constraints that impact data transfer speeds. While NAS provides easy access and collaborative features, the reliance on network infrastructure can lead to slower performance when multiple users access the system simultaneously or when handling large files.

In contrast, DAS connects directly to a single device, allowing for faster data transfer rates and reduced latency since the data does not have to travel over the network. While NAS solutions can often become more expensive than DAS due to added components like file systems and management software, the performance limitations related to network dependence are more commonly acknowledged as a principal drawback. Therefore, focusing on performance issues provides a clearer understanding of the inherent challenges NAS presents when file retrieval speeds and access times are critical.