Storage Area Networks (SAN) is an achitecture to attach remote computer storage devices such as disk arrays, tape libraries and optical jukeboxes to Servers; in such a way that the devices appear to the operating system as locally attached devices.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a term given to dedicated data storage technology which can be connected directly to a computer network to provide centralized data access and storage to heterogeneous network clients.

SAN & NAS technologies alleviates the traditional server storage computing architecture whereby Direct Attached Storage (DAS) have previously dominated. This provides a centralized data management platform for storage resource consolidation and optimization.

Netelligent Group Storage solutions encompasses technologies creating a 'unified storage platform' providing SAN/NAS/CIFS/NFS protocols to allow for heterogeneous connectivity and interoperability.

A unified storage system simultaneously enables storage of file data and handles the block-based I/O (input/output) of enterprise applications.

One advantage of unified storage is reduced hardware requirements. Instead of separate storage platforms, like NAS for file-based storage and a RAID disk array for block-based storage, unified storage combines both modes in a single device. Alternatively, a single device could be deployed for either file or block storage as required. In addition to lower capital expenditures for the enterprise, unified storage systems can also be simpler to manage than separate products.

Through the use of such technologies, point in time snapshot rapid backups and restoration of vital data is guaranteed and achieved. This not only reduces the traditional backup window to tape, but allows for streamlined provisioning in backup & restore operations.