Chapter 1: Introduction - Linksys NSS4000 Series Administrator's Manual

Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Linksys Business Series Network Storage System (NSS).
Administering a network can be a difficult job. Finding low-cost ways to simplify your data-
management tasks means that you have more resources to dedicate elsewhere. The NSS is a
Network Attached Storage (NAS) unit that appears as a native file server for the various clients
within your network, including Windows, Apple Macintosh, UNIX, and Linux platforms. The biggest
benefit to your users is that they can now access data that might be stored across different physical
platforms as simply as if it were on their own computers. The NSS provides a single repository that
is completely dedicated to storage, ensuring the integrity, reliability, and accessibility of your data
for a relatively low cost.
The NSS lets you install up to four physical disk drives as well as virtualize your storage into one or
more logical, redundant storage units or RAID arrays. The NSS uses the most common file-based
protocols such as NFS, CIFS, and FTP for file sharing.
Benefits
The NSS offers the following main advantages to your business:
• Cross-platform File Sharing: Share files easily and inexpensively across heterogeneous
platforms over a cost-effective Ethernet and IP network.
• Easy Installation and Administration: With a basic understanding of networking, the NSS is
easy to get going and to maintain.
• Data Consolidation: Centralize data to reduce management costs and maximize your
investment in existing hardware. This also means better data security.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Network Storage System (NSS) Administrator Guide
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