Need to Know IT

Independent Australian Storage & Infrastructure Authority

Storage decisions made simple. Practical NAS, storage, and infrastructure guidance for Australian SMBs, prosumers, and IT teams, with real local pricing and no vendor bias.

Try: Synology setup, Plex NAS, backup strategy, RAID calculator

Choose a NAS (AU buying guide) → Backups done properly (3-2-1) Remote access on NBN/CGNAT Plan capacity, power & speed → NAS Calculators
No sponsored rankings AU pricing & availability checks Editorially reviewed by Need to Know IT Team

Flagship Guides

Start with the guides we keep actively updated for Australian pricing, availability, NBN realities, and safe setup.

Buying & Decision
Best NAS Australia 2026
The main buying guide: all categories, real AU prices, updated monthly.
Best NAS for Beginners
First NAS? Start here. Simple picks with setup guidance for new users.
NAS vs DAS
Not sure you need a NAS? Compare network vs direct-attached storage.
Best NAS for Plex
Hardware transcoding, storage sizing, and AU-tested Plex NAS picks.
Setup & Operating
3-2-1 Backup Strategy
The backup rule every NAS owner should follow. Step-by-step setup.
Remote Access & VPN
CGNAT workarounds, Tailscale, WireGuard: access your NAS from anywhere on AU internet.
Docker on NAS
Run containers and VMs on your NAS. Practical guide for Australian setups.
QNAP vs Asustor
Head-to-head brand comparison with AU pricing and real trade-offs.

Tools & Calculators

Plan your NAS build with real numbers. AU electricity rates, vendor-published RAID formulas, and real-world transfer speeds. Not marketing specs.

RAID Usable Capacity Calculator
See exactly what you'll get after RAID parity, filesystem overhead, and snapshot reserves. Covers Synology SHR, QNAP, TrueNAS RAIDZ, and 4 other ecosystems.
Open Calculator →
NAS Power Cost Calculator (AU)
Estimate monthly and yearly running costs for your NAS. Pre-loaded with Australian state electricity rates, or enter your own from your bill.
Open Calculator →
File Transfer Speed Estimator
Find out what's actually limiting your NAS performance across 1GbE to 10GbE. Real-world ranges, not theoretical maximums.
Open Estimator →
View all tools & quick reference →

Explore by topic

Find the guidance that matches your situation

Not sure where to start? Use the Flagship Guides above.

Synology
DSM guides, model comparisons, and setup walkthroughs for Australian buyers.
QNAP
QTS deep dives, hardware recommendations, and local stock availability.
Asustor
ADM platform guides and value-focused NAS picks for the ANZ market.
SMB Storage
Business NAS decisions: backup strategy, capacity planning, and DR.

Latest Updates

New and updated articles including pricing refreshes, setup walkthroughs, and brand comparisons.

cloud storage
Cloud Egress Fees Explained: How to Avoid a Surprise Bill When You Need Your Data Back
Cloud egress fees are charges for downloading your own data from a cloud provider. They can turn a cheap backup plan into a painful bill the moment you need a full restore. Here is what they are, who charges them, and how to avoid them.
cloud storage
True Cost of 10TB in Cloud Storage Over 5 Years: Every Major Provider Compared
What does 10TB of cloud storage actually cost over 5 years? This guide compares every major provider with real AUD figures, hidden costs, and the NAS alternative that most comparisons leave out.
nas drives
Best NAS Hard Drives Under $100 AUD — IronWolf vs WD Red Plus Compared
Looking for NAS hard drives under $100 AUD? IronWolf and WD Red Plus both have strong options at the 2TB and 4TB mark. Here is what each drives delivers, where AU prices currently sit, and which to pick for your NAS.
remote access
Tailscale vs Cloudflare Tunnels for Remote Access to Self-Hosted Apps
Tailscale and Cloudflare Tunnels both solve remote access to self-hosted apps, but in different ways. This guide compares setup complexity, CGNAT handling, privacy trade-offs, and which option suits Australian NAS and homelab users.
self-hosted email
Is Self-Hosting Email Worth It in 2026?
Self-hosting your own email server gives you full control over your data and zero monthly fees, but it comes with real costs in time, expertise, and deliverability risk. Here is an honest breakdown of who it suits, who it doesn't, and what the alternatives look like.
self-hosted
Running Multiple Self-Hosted Apps on One NAS
Running Immich, Jellyfin, Vaultwarden and other self-hosted apps on a single NAS is achievable on mid-range hardware, but the details matter. This guide covers RAM allocation, CPU headroom, Docker port conflicts, and the practical limits of stacking containers on one device.
Browse all articles →

Why trust Need to Know IT?

Need to Know IT is an independent Australian publisher focused on storage and infrastructure decisions. We use a documented evaluation process, cross-check claims against official documentation, and keep key guides updated for Australian pricing and availability. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.