What is the primary purpose of Direct Attached Storage (DAS)?

The primary purpose of Direct Attached Storage (DAS) is to allow attached storage access on the same computer. DAS refers to storage devices that are directly connected to a computer or server, typically through interfaces like USB, SATA, or SCSI. This setup enables the computer to access the storage device as an integral part of its system, allowing for fast data transfer rates since the device is local to the computer.

Unlike cloud storage solutions, DAS does not enhance or rely on the internet for storage capabilities, and thus does not provide remote access. It also differs from network-attached storage (NAS) or storage area networks (SAN), where storage devices are accessed over a network. While DAS can serve as an option for physical data backups, that is not its primary purpose. Instead, it is predominantly designed for immediate access to storage resources by the host computer.