Because a NAS or other thin server is preconfigured and can be hooked up and working in minutes, it allows for instant add-on storage. A NAS or thin server can be attached to the network, giving users immediate access without forcing them to stop work while IS takes down and reboots the main server. Mirroring a general-purpose server, on the other hand, can be expensive. Also, proper setup and maintenance are essential to ensure that the mirrored server is ready to go. A modular network avoids the single point of failure.
Users can still access the remaining storage devices even with the failed system offline.
There are numerous thin-server vendors coming from various backgrounds in the industry. Mylex Corp., a familiar n ame in RAID storage, has entered the NAS arena, and industry giant Hewlett-Packard Co. has launched its own line, based on Axis' StorPoint server. In selecting a server, administrators should consider a lengthy list of points, whose importance for their particular needs may vary. Most servers handle NT and Unix protocols, but some do not provide NetWare support, which is not often mentioned in their sales material. Some vendors even market their devices specifically as intranet Web servers.