Computer users today save more data than ever before. The phenomenal growth of digital photography, audio, and video has focused consumers� minds on the secure storage of their precious pictures, music, and movies, raising the profile of backup and media server solutions.
Although most consumers still rely on single-computer backup scenarios, a small but growing number are opting for Network Attached Storage (NAS). While the market is still relatively small, consumer NAS is expected to deliver more than $1.25 billion in revenues by 2011.
�In order to move the consumer NAS market forward,� says ABI Research senior analyst Jason Blackwell, �vendors, including leaders such as Buffalo Technology and Linksys by Cisco, need to educate and inform consumers about NAS�s advantages.�
Consumer NAS equipment falls into three groups:
- Integrated NAS drives, which include the necessary networking software.
- Network storage enclosures, for those who wish to add the hard disk themselves.
- Storage routers and bridges, which allow attachment of standard USB or IEEE 1394 hard drives to a network.
Integrated NAS drives comprise the lion�s share of the market, but, says Blackwell, �Storage routers and bridges offer vendors the greatest growth opportunity.�
Challenges in this market have traditionally included consumers� relative indifference to data security: backups have always been considered a bore. So marketing and customer education will be key to success. Cost has been an issue too: while prices continue to fall, they still pose a barrier to adoption.
The rise of the home media server market, however, will provide some lift: DLNA and UPnP-enabled NAS devices can act as media servers and are being branded as such. �The fact that NAS devices are becoming more like media servers will certainly help them penetrate the digital home network,� notes Blackwell. �Vendors are making a concerted effort to market NAS for these more exciting purposes rather than simply for backup.�
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