jozeftierney :
We're setting up an application server to run solidworks PDM and it will require a significant amount of storage. Is there any reason to store this data in a NAS connected to the server (running windows server) rather than just a RAID array? Will a NAS even be able to communicate with the windows server like this?
A NAS box is available to all the systems in your LAN, as needed.
Yes, any of the current mid to higher grade NAS boxes work with Windows server or clients no problem.
Tossup between a Windows server box with a RAID array or a dedicated NAS box with a RAID array.
Or both. WinServer to host the applications, and the NAS for large storage.