What type of storage system is directly attached to a computer and does not use a storage network?

The selected answer is correct because DAS, or Direct Attached Storage, refers to storage devices that are directly connected to a computer or a server without the use of a network. This means that the storage is physically connected through interfaces such as USB, SATA, or SCSI, allowing the computer to access the storage directly.

DAS systems are typically used for local storage needs and can include hard drives, SSDs, or even external drives. The main advantage of DAS is its simplicity; there’s no need for a complex network infrastructure to manage or access the data, which can lead to faster data transfer rates between the application and the storage device.

In contrast, NAS (Network Attached Storage) connects to a network, allowing multiple devices to access the data over the network. SAN (Storage Area Network) is a specialized network designed to provide access to consolidated, block-level data storage. A network share is a platform that allows files to be shared over a network, which again does not involve direct attachment to a specific computer.

Thus, DAS uniquely characterizes direct connectivity, reflecting its straightforward approach to data storage without the complications of networking, which confirms its identification as the correct answer.