Network Attached Storage (NAS) Statistics and Facts

Joseph D'Souza
Written by
Joseph D'Souza

Updated · Jan 09, 2025

Rohan Jambhale
Edited by
Rohan Jambhale

Editor

Network Attached Storage (NAS) Statistics and Facts

Introduction

Network Attached Storage (NAS) Statistics: Network-attached storage (NAS) is a central file server that lets multiple users save and share files via the TCP/IP network using WIFI as well as an Ethernet cable. It’s also known in the form of a NAS box NAS system, or NAS server also known as a NAS head. These devices require several components to function including network protocols, hard disks, and a light operating system (OS). This report provides more details about the Network-attached Storage (NAS) Statistic.

Although NAS technology waNetwork-attached storage (NAS) serves as a central file server allowing multiple users to save and share files over a TCP/IP network using WIFI or an Ethernet cable. It is also referred to as a NAS box, NAS system, or NAS server, and requires various components such as network protocols, hard disks, and a light operating system (OS) to function. This report provides more details about NAS statistics.

Despite being in use for several decades, NAS technology is currently experiencing a surge in popularity.

According to a new IDC research 44% of respondents use 40% or less of their applications and tasks on all-flash arrays. However, this number is expected to increase due to the rising demand for storage.

This is largely due to the increase in unstructured data and the rapid growth of cloud and business transformation migration initiatives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses are also looking to leverage new technologies like AI, machine learning, and edge computing. These data sources need to be stored together to facilitate the learning and insights process.

Additionally, NAS systems are frequently utilized to support cloud storage providers, serving as backup, archiving, and disaster recovery systems.s in use for several decades it is now seeing an increase in its popularity.

Editor’s Choice

  • By 2027, the NAS market size is expected to reach USD 63.14 billion, growing at a yearly rate of 16.97%.
  • By 2030, the NAS market is projected to reach USD 80.45 billion.
  • North America was the biggest region in the NAS market by 2022.
  • In the US, the number of 5G network users grew from 43% in 2021 to 61% in 2022, according to Global Wireless Solutions.
  • In June 2022, StorCentric introduced Nexsan EZ-NAS, a NAS solution for large companies and SMBs.
  • In June 2022, Nasuni Corporation acquired Storage Made Easy.
  • Over 70% of mid-sized and large enterprises use NAS due to its high storage capacity compared to DAS and SAN.
  • The COVID-19 outbreak has created uncertainty, but data helps companies make better decisions.
  • The increase in unstructured data is a key factor driving NAS market growth.
  • Scale-out NAS expansion is boosting market demand.
  • Software-defined NAS and network virtualization are gaining focus.
  • Vendors are designing custom NAS solutions for complete information management.
  • The integration of NAS with cloud storage is expected to grow, offering better control of NAS data and cloud backup.
  • Vendors are working on linking NAS systems with popular cloud services like Amazon S3.
  • NAS is preferred for its accessibility, low cost, and high capacity, making it ideal when multiple devices need access to storage.
  • NAS can be more efficient than SAN for specific workloads.
  • The growing use of cloud storage may slow NAS market growth, but combining NAS with cloud storage is expected to increase.
  • In July 2021, QNAP, a Taiwanese NAS manufacturer, fixed a major security flaw in its Hybrid Backup Sync (HBS 3) disaster recovery solution.

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NAS Architectural Framework

NAS-Architectural-Framework(Source: spiceworks.com)

Pictorial Representation of the NAS Architectural Framework

The term NAS is a reference to storage equipment linked to a network, which gives numerous users, as well as authorized network users the capability to store and retrieve data from a central place. The data can be retrieved from a central disk by a variety of users and various clients using networks-attached storage (NAS) which is dedicated to storage for files. Users of a local region network (LAN) can access the shared storage via the standard connectivity, which is usually an Ethernet connection.

Since NAS devices are adaptable and scalable, you could increase their capacity as necessary. It’s as if you have your cloud since it provides all the advantages of a cloud service with a localized capacity. Additionally, in contrast to the cloud public, NAS is quicker and provides complete control. Users should only save the most frequently accessed information on NAS as it’s an expensive storage option.

A lot of enterprise IT organizations are contemplating shifting NAS as well as Object data to the cloud to reduce costs, improve agility, and improve productivity. These devices are usually keyboard and displayless and are controlled and managed by using web-based software. Companies used to establish and manage thousands or hundreds of servers for file storage before NAS.

Scale-up Network-attached Storage (NAS) Statistics provide NAS appliances with greater or larger drives and boost the capacity of storage. Furthermore, appliances are combined to allow for the expansion of storage. The NAS is a different network node that is part of the Local Area Network (LAN)and is identified with a distinct Internet Protocol (IP) address. Storage area networks (SANs) and NAS (SANs) are two basic types of storage that are networked.

Global Forecast and Trends

Network Attached Storage (NAS) Statistics volume is predicted to reach USD 127 billion by the time of 2036. It will grow by around 12 percent over the forecast timeframe, i.e. 2024-2036. In 2023, the size of storage that was network-attached was greater than USD 26 Billion.

The increasing demand for smartphones is among the major reasons for the growth in the market. A huge amount of data has been generated due to the growing usage of tablets, smartphones, and laptops. The use of smartphones is predicted to be around 7.7 billion in 2027. This is driving the rate of growth in the market.

Additionally, because of the growing need for data backup along with the redundancy introduction of cloud storage solutions is the principal reason behind the adoption of network-connected solutions. Greater data management and scalability for storing and managing the data is enabled through network-attached solutions.

Global Network Attached Storage Market overview

(Source: researchnester.com)

NAS Growth Drivers

  • Rising demand among small and Mid-Size Businesses across a variety of EndUse Industries Use Industries
    Because of their low-cost configuration for small-sized workplaces Network-attached storage is now being used by smaller and mid-sized companies more often. In this type of storage users simply connect to the data using an internet connection. These servers provide businesses with an edge in competition as well as improve customer service and increase their collaboration capabilities. The systems offer low-cost data centralization, along with easy and reliable backup of data. This feature will aid in helping these systems be widely utilized across a range of companies.
  • The Hybrid Cloud Storage is gaining more acceptance.
    The consequence of the growing internet use is the growth in the number of unstructured collections. Unstructured data comprises audio video, audio, and image files. But, it is becoming difficult to store this information securely and securely. Because of the rapid increase in the amount of data generated cloud storage is now essential. Traditional NAS devices as well as cloud storage are utilized in hybrid solutions for network-attached storage. They allow you to create a database using a single volume of data which can be accessed from any place. Businesses can effectively share and manage their essential information using hybrid NAS. This is why customers and companies are increasingly attracted to implementing the network-attached storage solution.

Network-Attached Storage Market Analysis

(Source: mordorintelligence.com)

  • The Network Attached Storage (NAS) Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.5% during the forecast period.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for cloud-based solutions as more companies adopted remote working.
  • The pandemic has led to a rise in data usage, especially for businesses and telecom firms in emerging markets due to government restrictions.
  • Companies are looking for reliable and secure data storage solutions.
  • Data analysis has played a key role in helping businesses make better decisions during unpredictable times.
  • Around 80% of mid-sized and large companies now use NAS for specific storage needs, surpassing other options like Direct Attached Storage (DAS) and Storage Area Networks (SAN).
  • The growth in unstructured data, the scaling of IT platforms, and the focus on software-defined NAS and network virtualization are major market drivers.
  • Businesses are increasingly seeking customized NAS solutions to manage growing amounts of data.
  • The combination of in-house NAS and cloud-based storage is expected to become more common, providing businesses with control over their data while also utilizing the cloud for backup and archiving.
  • Vendors are working to connect existing NAS systems with cloud services, such as Amazon S3, for storage.
  • While DAS remains popular for its low cost and capacity, NAS offers advantages in cases where multiple devices need access to the same storage.
  • NAS can be more efficient than SAN depending on network traffic and storage protocols.
  • Increased cloud storage usage could slow NAS market growth, but hybrid NAS-cloud solutions are expected to grow.
  • In July 2021, QNAP, a NAS manufacturer, fixed a security vulnerability that allowed attackers to remotely access NAS devices, read sensitive data, and execute commands.
  • The security issue, CVE-2021-28809, was caused by a flawed program in QNAP’s disaster recovery solution, Hybrid Backup Sync.

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The Major NAS Marketplace Vendors

The report examines the competitive landscape of the market and provides details on various market vendors, such as:

  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) had a total revenue of USD 29.1 billion for the year, which is a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year. There was a 5.5% constant growth.
  • Hitachi’s revenue for the 12 months ending June 30, 2023, was USD 57.04 billion, a 30.48% decrease year-over-year. In 2023, Hitachi’s total revenue was USD 80.52 billion, down by 11.86% from 2022.
  • Huawei reported revenue of CNY 456.6 billion for the first three quarters of 2023, a 2.4% growth. The company had a net profit margin of 16%.
  • IBM’s revenue for the 12 months ending September 30, 2023, was USD 61.17 billion, up 1.05% from the previous year. IBM’s revenue in 2022 was USD 60.53 billion, a 5.54% increase over 2021.
  • Seagate Technology’s revenue for the 12 months ending September 30, 2023, was USD 6.80 billion, a significant 35.71% decrease from the previous year. In 2023, Seagate’s annual revenue was USD 7.38 billion, down 36.68% from 2022.
  • NetApp’s revenue for the 12 months ending July 31, 2023, was USD 6.20 billion, a 3.87% decrease from the previous year. The company’s annual revenue for 2023 was USD 6.36 billion, a 0.7% increase over 2022.
  • NETGEAR’s revenue for the 12 months ending October 1, 2023, was USD 801.27 million, a 14.26% decrease from the previous year. The company’s quarterly revenue was USD 197.85 million, a 20.73% drop year-over-year.
  • Infortrend Technology, a Taiwanese company specializing in storage solutions, has its headquarters in New Taipei, Taiwan, with regional offices in several major cities worldwide.
  • QNAP Systems reported an annual revenue of USD 324 million in 2023.
  • Panasas Inc.’s revenue for 2022 was USD 31.5 million.

Recent Developments

  • Seagate and QNAP Partnership (April 2023): Seagate Technology and QNAP Systems launched an integrated portfolio combining Seagate’s IronWolf Pro Hard Drives with QNAP’s NAS solutions, providing enterprise-level storage solutions for businesses. This collaboration focuses on edge-to-cloud enterprise storage, offering high-capacity solutions for companies dealing with large amounts of data.
  • StorCentric’s Product Launch (June 2022): StorCentric introduced the Nexsan EZ-NAS, a NAS system designed for edge deployments. This platform features a 1U form factor, offering 72 TB capacity and throughput of 1.5 GB/s, making it ideal for both small and large enterprises seeking secure and efficient data storage.
  • OpenDrives Funding (January 2021): OpenDrives, a NAS solutions provider, raised USD 20 million in Series B funding, led by IAG Capital Partners. This funding will accelerate product development, particularly focusing on high-performance computing (HPC) and hybrid cloud capabilities.
  • QNAP Security Fix (July 2021): QNAP Systems addressed a critical security vulnerability in its Hybrid Backup Sync system. This update highlights the company’s focus on strengthening the security of its NAS devices, safeguarding data from unauthorized access.
  • Western Digital Innovations (2023): Western Digital, a prominent player in the NAS market, continues to focus on scaling up its product range, integrating more robust enterprise features for better performance in handling large datasets.

Conclusion

Network-attached storage, also known as NAS is cost-effective as well as affordable and easy to expand. Since Network Attached Storage (NAS) Statistics operates as a private cloud that is accessible and accessible to users who are authorized anywhere, anytime–as long as they have access to the network. Cloud providers typically offer NAS solutions that allow customers to combine both methods to improve efficiency and costs while ensuring greater control of your data’s security.

NAS can be used for a variety of applications, from simple storage and file sharing to media streaming, backup, and recovery, as well as collaboration. It can be utilized in everything from accounting and financial solutions to data analysis and business intelligence. Smaller, more user-friendly versions are gaining popularity with home-based users and small-sized businesses, while more advanced performance NAS solutions are the most commonly employed in enterprises across a variety of sectors.

Joseph D'Souza
Joseph D'Souza

Joseph D'Souza started Coolest Gadgets in 2005 to share his love for tech gadgets. It has since become a popular tech blog, famous for detailed gadget's reviews and companies statistics. Joseph is committed to providing clear, well-researched content, making tech easy to understand for everyone. Coolest Gadgets is a trusted source for tech news, loved by both tech fans and beginners.

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