| File System | Uses NTFS | Proprietary with limited support |
| Metadata Volume | No metadata volume required | Metadata volume required with potential for complete user data loss |
| Metadata Network | None required. Can use a standard office network | Dedicated low latency network required for each client |
| System Configuration | Volume access information is stored on server but loss does not affect user data | Stored on RAID controller with potential for file system and user data loss |
| Capacity Expansion | Simply add more NTFS disks* | Awkward and limited |
| Disk Sizes | No limitations | Maximum 6TB qualified |
| Licensing | By capacity. No limit on users | Per seat |
| Client Application | Proprietary client manages data access but data can be recovered without it | Proprietary client required to access data with no other way to recover |
| Client App | Ongoing and timely updates | OS updates limited or non-existent |
| Resources | Uses virtual containers that can be easily managed | Exposes physical volume/folders |
| User Access Control | Complete Active Directory support and unlimited local user management | Poor Active Directory support and very limited local user management |
| User Quotas | Unlimited quota control for Active Directory and local users | Limited and only with Active Directory |
| Project Management | Complete, flexible project resource management | None |
| FC Connectivity | Supports 8Gb, 16Gb and 32Gb Fibre Channel configurations | 8Gb with no upgrade path |
| FC SAN Expansion | Any size SAN. Connection at 8Gb and beyond | Limited. A-Class connection at 8Gb only |
| SMB Sharing | Integrated SMB support has no permissions limitations | External SMB gateway is complicated with many permissions limitations |
