The Definition of SAN Storage

A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a dedicated network for storage devices. A SAN allows servers and client PCs to access a large amount of data while utilizing minimal system resources.

Storage Area Networks let users access quickly data from remote locations.

Indirect Access to Data

Prior to the development of SAN technology, each server would act as a storage device and would "own" its data. With a SAN in place, data can be stored independently of the server.

A SAN allows storage devices to have their own network segment.

Scalable

Any number of storage devices can be attached to a SAN; therefore, the potential storage capacity of the network is nearly unlimited.

The capacity of a SAN is nearly unlimited.

Optimized Network Traffic

By placing storage devices on their own network, requests for storage data can be segmented away from other network traffic. This is particularly desirable when performing backups or restores.

Confining storage traffic to the SAN frees up bandwidth on the central network.

Cost

Compared to server-attached storage devices, independent network-enabled storage devices offer much more storage space for a lesser cost.

A SAN can allow much greater storage capacity for a lower cost.

Management

Prevent network disruption caused by adding, removing or maintaining a storage device by isolating storage devices onto their own SAN.