NASLite Network Attached Storage

With so much being discussed about NASLite not having any security I thought I'd pose this question, Does Network Attached Storage differ from a File Server or are they the same?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_server

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_attached_storage

It's perhaps a matter of interpretation - they both serve the same purpose - allowing/controlling access to storage across a local area network.

File servers are usually general purpose devices that can also be used to provide other services - to use the Microsoft Windows server family as an example - DHCP, DNS, directory services, routing, remote access - and if we were to consider their Small Business Server line - SMTP, POP3 & SQL.

On the other hand, a NAS server will theoretically have an operating system optimised for file sharing - Microsoft's Storage Server provides none of the additional function listed above.

I'm not certain I understand the link between your question and the need for security - which is necessary to prevent one user from having unlimited access to the files of a second user with either device.