SAN Storage Basics

SAN (storage area network) storage is a type of computer data storage system designed specifically for use with large networks where many people need to access or update information. SAN storage networks are made of many different storage devices that are all interconnected with each other via special switches. This allows SAN networks to be very flexible, letting them back up data without taking up server bandwidth and continue functioning even when part of the network fails.

Definition

1. A SAN storage network is a type of data network used to store large amounts of information for Internet servers. A SAN network consists of multiple storage devices, which means there is more than one device with a hard drive used to hold data, and although the devices communicate and can be located in the same place, they are separate from each other. SAN networks can be made of only two storage devices or have many more, depending on usage.

Features

2. The main feature of a SAN network is flexibility. Because it is made of different storage devices, it can perform tasks away from the servers involved. This means that SAN hard drives can communicate with each other and perform routine backups or updates without taking up bandwidth or accessing outside servers at all. The devices use fiber channel switches to connect with each other and form the data system. This network within a network can be made of only a couple servers accessing data from a few storage devices to vast networks made of thousands of servers with entire floors of data storage.

Considerations

3. In addition to easier backup of files without needing to use the servers, SAN networks also deal with problems more efficiently. A hard drive failure will not fail the system, because the other storage units can maintain the network while the problem is solved. They are also easily expandable, allowing organizations to keep their data in one place and increase the storage or capabilities as needed. There are also fewer bandwidth bottleneck problems with SAN networks, which can be used by multiple servers at the same time with multiple data connections.

Uses

4. SAN networks are used most often by large organizations that have a lot of data that needs to be accessed often and quickly. Because of the SAN storage flexibility, these organizations can customize their networks to perform as needed. Smaller groups, like growing businesses or schools, may prefer to switch to SAN storage when looking to consolidate their data or make their intranet/Internet activity more efficient.

Alternatives

5. SAN storage is one of the most recent network developments, and it tends to be the most expensive. Alternatives include the simple direct attached storage, which is usually a simple hard drive located inside a server computer, or network attached storage, which allows limited access to single data storage devices.