Capacity and RAID: How Much NAS Storage Do I Need?

Getting a NAS for the first time can feel a bit overwhelming.

2TB? 4TB? 8TB? 20TB?

Then you come across words like RAID 1 RAID 5 and RAID 6. Things become even more confusing.

Don't worry. Lets keep it straightforward.

Start by thinking about your storage needs.

What will you actually store?

For example:

• Documents and work files
• Photos and videos
• 4K or 8K videos
• Computer backups
• CCTV videos
• Movies and media

If you already have 2TB of data getting 2TB of NAS storage is not a good idea.

Your data will grow over time.

A better way is to consider how storage you will need in the next 3 to 5 years not just right now.

How many bays do you need?

A NAS can have 1, 2 4 or even more drive bays.

Think of a bay as a place to put a drive.

2-bay NAS

A 2-bay NAS is a choice for home users.

It works well for:

• Photos and videos
• Personal files
• Computer backups
• Small home offices

4-bay NAS

A 4-bay NAS gives you space to expand.

It is helpful for:

• photo collections
• Video creators
• Multiple users
• Small businesses
• Bigger backups

More bays also mean more options when using RAID.

So what is RAID?

RAID is a way to combine drives to improve data safety, speed or how much space you can use depending on the RAID type.

The key point to remember is:

RAID is not a backup.

For example, RAID can help your NAS keep working if one drive breaks. It won't stop you from accidentally deleting a file or losing everything.

RAID 1 vs RAID 5

RAID 1

RAID 1 copies your data onto two drives.

If one drive fails, the other still has a copy.

The downside?

You end up with about the space of one drive, not both.

For example:

2 × 8TB drives → about 8TB

RAID 5

RAID 5 uses at least three drives and offers a good mix of storage space and protection if one drive fails.

For example:

4 × 8TB drives → about 24TB before file system space is taken into account

It is a common choice for people who need more space and some protection.

Does RAID make your data safe?

Not completely.

RAID helps with some types of issues.

• It does not help with:
• Deleting files by accident
• Ransomware attacks
• Fire or water damage
• Theft
• Big hardware problems
• files

That is why important data should have an extra copy.

A simple rule to remember:

RAID keeps your NAS running. Backup helps protect your data.

How much NAS storage do you need?

There is no one size that fits all.

A way to think about it:

Current data plus future growth plus backup needs equals your NAS size

If you are just keeping documents and phone pictures a 2-bay NAS may be enough.

If you are a photographer, a video person, a creator or a business with a lot of data a 4-bay or bigger NAS may be better.

The aim is not to get the NAS possible.

It is to get a NAS that has space today room to grow tomorrow and the right amount of safety, for your data.

Still not sure?

Don't start with RAID numbers.

Start with one question:

How much data do you have now and how fast is it growing?

Once you know that picking the NAS b