What primary feature differentiates NAS from SAN?

The primary feature that differentiates Network Attached Storage (NAS) from Storage Area Network (SAN) is the storage method and connection. NAS is designed to provide file-level storage and is typically used for sharing files over a standard network utilizing Ethernet protocols. Its architecture allows users to access the storage via shared folders and files using standard file access methods.

On the other hand, SAN provides block-level storage, which is more suited for applications that require high-performance access to raw storage at the block level. SAN uses a dedicated network, like Fibre Channel or iSCSI, to connect storage devices directly to servers, allowing for faster data transfer rates and lower latency. This distinction in the storage method and the types of connections used fundamentally separates NAS from SAN, as they cater to different use cases and performance requirements.

While factors such as speed of data retrieval and network access protocols do play a role in performance and functionality, they are secondary to the more fundamental difference in how data is stored and accessed between the two types of systems. The physical size of hardware can vary, but it doesn't define the core operational differences between NAS and SAN systems.