When you are running several computers on a home network there is no better way to protect your data and reduce your storage headaches than installing network access storage. This is better known as network attached storage.

What do you gain by placing a majority of your storage on the network instead of hoarding it attached to your laptop or desktop? And simply allowing the access to the network drive to your household members?

Management problems with computer-attached external hard drives

If you've bought an external USB hard drive then you know what I am talking about. Other members of the household will only have sporadic access to such storage as, first, your laptop or desktop must be online for them to have access, and, second, you must not forget to attach the external drive!

So soon after the other members of the family realize that, they give up on thinking of your external drive as a repository of their data. Storage that is not accessible when they need it is just not worth much to them.

Similarly, not having always-on, always-accessible home network access storage is the main reason why most of people never do regular backups of their computers. It is just too much trouble to babysit the backup, make sure all the storage drives are avaialble and attached. So most of us don't do proper backups regularly as we should. This is dangerous.

Storage management problem solved using a network attached storage

All these problems can be solved with network attached storage on your home network. You will get a massive additional, always-on, always-avaialable amount of storage avaialable for all your data needs. Plus, you get to attach printers to such storage servers. Likewise, such printers will be always avaialble. And most storage servers also act as music streaming, and video streaming servers, so you can watch the stored media from any computer and other networked device, such as network ready HDTV.

So what network access storage drives should you get and where?

Well the good news is there is plenty of brands that have begun competing in the home network attached storage markets recently and, consequently, the prices have fallen dramatically in the past decade. Today, an entry level network attached storage system can be found for less than $100, a dual-bay system with the possibility of keeping two hard disks can be had for less than $200, and an multiple-bay systems with four or more bays go for $400 and higher. Here are some of our recommendations for the entry level, intermediate level, and top-level network access storage systems:

Buffalo Technology LinkStation Pro 1 TB Network Attached Storage LS-XH1.0TL

This single-bay, entry level system by Buffalo Technology is suitable for a first time buyer. Even the entry level NAS system will prove its huge advantage over a similar size computer-attached drive. You can see the review of the Buffalo Technology LinkStation Pro here at Amazon.

Cisco-Linksys Network Storage System with 2 Bays (NAS200)

This dual-bay system offers more expansion possibilities, including SATA hard drive expansion slots as well as USB expansion slots for external USB hard drives and for USB flash media. To see more information from the manufacturer, see buyers reviews, check out this link on Amazon.

NETGEAR ReadyNAS NV+ 4-Bay 4TB

Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ 4-Bay 4TB is for users that appreciate its 4 TB capacity, the X-RAID provided automatic redundancy of all data, built in iTunes, video, and other streaming media server, and its whisper quiet operation. You can find more customer reviews of this NAS system on Amazon.