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FreeNAS supports: CIFS (samba), FTP, NFS, AFP, RSYNC, iSCSI protocols, S.M.A.R.T., local user authentication, Software RAID (0,1,5) with a Full WEB configuration interface.

In other words, like traditional file servers, NAS follows a client/server design.

- A single hardware device, often called the NAS box or - NAS head, acts as the interface between the NAS and network clients.
- These NAS devices require no monitor, keyboard or mouse.
- NAS generally run an embedded operating system rather than a full-featured NOS.
- One or more disk (and possibly tape) drives can be attached to many NAS systems to increase total capacity.
- Clients always connect to the NAS head, however, rather than to the individual storage devices.
- Clients generally access a NAS over an Ethernet connection. 
- The NAS appears on the network as a single "node" that is the IP address of the head device.
- A NAS can store any data that appears in the form of files.
- Overall, the uses of a NAS parallel those of traditional file servers.
- NAS systems strive for reliable operation and easy administration.