Network-attached storage (NAS) is the most mature networked storage solution, and the only type of networked storage that allows data sharing by connected host systems. Originally deployed in data sharing environments, NetApp NAS solutions have become a preferred solution for enterprise applications and database environments where automated performance tuning and sophisticated data management capabilities can reduce costs, improve data availability, and simplify operations.

NetApp NAS appliances deliver the lowest total cost of ownership of any storage approach, together with enterprise-level performance, scalability, and availability.

NFS Protocol

Network File System (NFS) is a distributed file system that allows files to be accessed by client computers over a network as easily as if the files were located on clients' local disks.

NetApp fully supports NFSv2 and NFSv3 over UDP/TCP and NFSv4 over TCP for fast throughput and high performance. For strong encryption, NetApp supports Kerberos authentication across all NFS versions and for access authentication, Lightweight Data Access Protocol (LDAP) and Network Information Services (NIS).
NetApp NFS is tightly integrated with the NetApp file system, WAFL and data protection feature, RAID-DP to provide:

• High reliability
• Simple management
• Fast deployment

CIFS - Common Internet File System

The dramatic growth of Windows data has led to a proliferation of Windows file servers that can number in the hundreds or even thousands. The consequences of such complex infrastructures include extremely high overhead costs, poorly utilized server and storage assets, difficult and time-consuming backup and restore processes, and reduced system availability.

Because the CIFS protocol is fully integrated into the NetApp FAS and V-Series systems, you can consolidate many individual Windows file servers into a single NetApp storage system to achieve substantial reductions in cost and complexity. Among the many reasons to choose NetApp solutions for Windows file serving are:

• Reduced complexity in managing your Windows file serving infrastructure
• Enhanced data protection
• Increased user productivity
• Improved IT agility
• Lower costs