How does NAS differ from DAS?

The distinction between NAS (Network Attached Storage) and DAS (Direct Attached Storage) primarily lies in how they manage data access and connectivity.

The correct choice highlights that NAS supports file-level access over a network, which means it allows multiple clients to access files stored on the NAS device through a network connection. This capability allows users to share and collaborate on files easily, making NAS a popular choice for environments that need convenient access to shared data across various devices.

In contrast, DAS connects storage directly to a single server or computer, limiting access to that specific device. This configuration does not typically offer the same level of file sharing capabilities as NAS, whereby multiple users can access and manage the stored data simultaneously over a network.

The other choices relate to comparisons that don't effectively capture the core functionality and use cases of NAS versus DAS. For example, while NAS might be more complex to set up compared to some DAS configurations, this does not define its primary advantage of networked file access. Similarly, speed can vary based on specific models and configurations, and direct server connections characterize DAS rather than NAS.