The tech world is full of ridiculous acronyms that nobody can keep straight. Here come three that all have an “A” and an “S.” The industry can be generally confusing for nonspecialists, and choosing the best storage system is no exception. There are many options, but storage solutions often fall into these three groups.

Direct attached storage (DAS) is a hard drive or set of hard drives that are connected directly to the computer or to a server. This is obviously the best choice for individuals. A single external hard drive plugged in to a computer and software to send regular backups to it is the most basic direct attached storage solution. In order for other computers to access the storage device, they need to network to the workstation or server it is attached to. The initial cost is lower, but with a lot of users, the load on the server can be considerable. It is also a good option for email and file serving for small businesses.

Network-attached storage (NAS) or networked storage is more suitable for file sharing with a large client load. In this case, the storage device is attached to the network independently and can be accessed directly. NAS solutions generally allow for computers running varying operating systems to access the storage. If set up correctly, it appears native to each of the clients, and can even look like just another external hard drive. It is based on industry standard network protocols, including TCP/IP. “Drop boxes” for offsite backups are also a form of network-attached storage.

Storage area networks (SAN) are a separate, independent high-speed network that connects the client computers to the centralized storage device. They offer the best reliability and speed and are designed to move large blocks of data. However, they are very expensive and often within the reach only of larger companies. Also, SAN systems are not standardized, and may pose additional IT hurdles.

Dell data storage solutions offer all three levels, from small direct access systems for sole proprietors to systems designed for large businesses. Going with a commercial provider can reduce the confusion surrounding data storage and help ensure a business gets reliable performance.