Question Why NAS can access files from different OS?

[modeonoff]

Hi, on Windows PC, Mac and Linux platforms, we need to format the drives to respective OS. Although there are some ways for Mac to access Windows files, there are some limitations such as filename length, Windows cannot access files made under Mac OS, etc.

How come a NAS can access files from different OS and platforms? Are there limitations such as those I just mentioned when it deals with Windows OS, Mac OS, iOS and Linux?

 

[CountMike]

Hi, on Windows PC, Mac and Linux platforms, we need to format the drives to respective OS. Although there are some ways for Mac to access Windows files, there are some limitations such as filename length, Windows cannot access files made under Mac OS, etc.

How come a NAS can access files from different OS and platforms? Are there limitations such as those I just mentioned when it deals with Windows OS, Mac OS, iOS and Linux?

NAS would have own CPU, RAM etc and also run own OS with disks in it formatted to what that OS uses and should be able to translate to and from it.

 

[USAFRet]

Key words for you - Samba and AFP
Read here:
https://docs.qnap.com/operating-sys...-file-sharing-protocol-settings-63484DD7.html


Right now, I'm accessing a text file that lives in the NAS from both a Win 11 system and an Android tablet.
Same file at the same time.

 

[modeonoff]

NAS would have own CPU, RAM etc and also run own OS with disks in it formatted to what that OS uses and should be able to translate to and from it.

So NAS is like a computer that does the job of translating files from different OS/platforms that are incompatible with each other?

 

[USAFRet]

So NAS is like a computer that does the job of translating files from different OS/platforms that are incompatible with each other?

Its not "like a computer"...it IS a computer.

Has its own operating system. Usually Linux based.

In the QNAPs, currently QTS 5.0

QTS 5.0 | QNAP

QTS 5.0 strengthens data security, supports WireGuard VPN, and enhances NVMe SSD cache performance, while also supporting Edge TPU for faster image recognition and AI-powered diagnostics that predict drive failure.

www.qnap.com

 

[CountMike]

So NAS is like a computer that does the job of translating files from different OS/platforms that are incompatible with each other?

It is a computer. you can even make it out of any PC, with a dual network connector or thru a router, allyou need is appropriate OS. I had one running a Microtic OS.

 

[USAFRet]

It is a computer. you can even make it out of any PC, with a dual network connector or thru a router, allyou need is appropriate OS. I had one running a Microtic OS.

Indeed.

My previous house server was a regular Windows based system, i5-3570k.

I could use this QNAP as a regular PC if I chose to.
It is a powerful server in a little box. Mouse/kbd control, HDMI out to a TV or monitor, even comes with a remote to control playback.