Network-Attached Storage

Correct Answer: Implement access control lists (ACLs)

Implementing access control lists (ACLs) is the best solution for preventing unauthorized access to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) system. ACLs provide a method of defining permissions for individual users or groups of users. They can be used to specify which users or groups are allowed to view or modify a particular directory or file on the NAS. This makes it an essential tool for managing the security of a NAS system. The other solutions are not as effective: Enabling caching on the NAS may improve performance but it does not secure the network from unauthorized access. Utilizing Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) instead of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) can enhance data transmission security but it does not restrict who can access the data on the NAS. Upgrading the NAS hardware can optimize performance but it does not necessarily include security features to prevent unauthorized access.

Correct Answer: Implement traffic shaping

Implementing traffic shaping is the best solution. Traffic shaping, also known as packet shaping, is a congestion management method that regulates network data transfer to assure a certain level of performance, quality of service (QoS). It can optimize or guarantee performance, improve latency, and/or increase usable bandwidth for some kinds of packets by delaying other kinds. It will prioritize the network resources during the peak hours to maintain optimal performance. Migrating the NAS to a cloud storage solution, on the other hand, could expose your data to security risks and may not solve the issue since the real problem may be the network rather than the storage. Simply increasing the NAS storage capacity does not necessarily translate into better performance especially during peak hours. The issue here is not about capacity but rather accessibility. Finally, restricting user account permissions might not serve the purpose. Although it might lessen the load on the NAS, it would also limit the ability of users to access the files they need, which is not a real solution to the problem at hand.

Correct Answer: FreeNAS

FreeNAS is the most cost-effective solution for a company that needs a NAS solution and has a tight budget. It's a free and open-source platform that offers file sharing services on the internet. FreeNAS is built on a network-attached storage (NAS) structure, which allows multiple users from different systems to access the same storage system. On the other hand, services like Google Drive, Amazon S3, and Microsoft OneDrive, while they do offer storage solutions, are not primarily NAS solutions. They are cloud storage services which operate differently and might involve ongoing costs based on amount of data stored and transferred, which may not align with the intent of a tight budget. Additionally, these services may not offer the same level of control and customization over the networked storage as FreeNAS, which is crucial for a centralized file storage system meant for better collaboration. Therefore, while all options provide some form of storage solution, in the context of NAS and a strict budget, FreeNAS is the most suitable choice.