Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Network Attached Storage
     
         (NAS) {Fixed disks}, {RAID} arrays, and
        {magnetic tape} drives connected directly to a {Storage Area
        Network} (SAN) or other direct network connection.  This is in
        contrast to a {file server} where the peripherals are
        connected to the network via a computer (the server).
     
        (2003-06-30)