CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

Why might a NAS be unsuitable for a business-critical, high-volume database?

1. Limited user access

2. File level transfer of data

3. Redundant hardware

4. High speed connectivity

The correct answer is: File level transfer of data

A NAS, or Network Attached Storage, might be unsuitable for business-critical, high-volume databases primarily due to its file-level transfer of data. This means that data is managed as files rather than blocks, which can lead to performance issues when handling large volumes of data transactions typically required by high-performance databases. In environments where rapid access to data and high throughput are necessary, block storage solutions (such as SAN - Storage Area Network) are generally preferred because they allow for more efficient use of bandwidth and can optimize data reads and writes, significantly enhancing performance. File-level storage can introduce bottlenecks, especially as the number of users or the volume of transactions increases, impacting overall database performance. The other aspects, such as user access and redundant hardware, while relevant considerations in a broader context, do not inherently impact the fundamental performance characteristics needed for high-volume database operations in the same way that the file-level transfer of data does. High-speed connectivity is generally a positive feature, but if the underlying architecture is not suited for the demands of database transactions, it won't resolve the performance limitations associated with a NAS solution.