A Storage Area Network(SAN) is a group of storage devices used by large-scale corporations. It efficiently executes business applications and tasks. Plus, SAN interconnects and links storage systems to different servers.
A storage area network is also optimal for the disaster recovery process because a network can include multiple storage devices, disks, magnetic tape, and optical storage. It also centralizes storage devices and clustering of servers to achieve easy and centralized administration.
In this blog, we’ll cover different aspects of SAN that contribute to business operations:
Components of SAN:
The core components of SAN are servers, storage, and networking infrastructure:
● Servers:
The server infrastructure is the underlying reason for all of the SAN solutions. This infrastructure consists of a mix of server platforms. With initiatives like server consolidation and internet commerce, the need for SAN increases simultaneously.
● Storage:
A storage system consists of disk and tape systems. The disk system can include HDDs, SSDs, and flash drives. On the other hand, tape systems consist of tape drives, autoloaders, and libraries.
● Network Infrastructure:
SAN connectivity consists of hardware and software components that lead to the interconnection of storage devices and servers.
SAN vs. NAS:
Unlike direct-access storage, network-access storage allows more than one device to access the network. It makes data sharing and collaboration easier.
With NAS off-site storage capability, it becomes an ideal option for backups and data protection. Two typical network-based storage systems are network-attached storage (NAS) and storage area network (SAN).
NAS is made from redundant storage containers or independent disks(RAID) arrays. SAN storage is the network of multiple devices like flash storage, hybrid storage, hybrid cloud storage, backup software and appliances, and cloud storage.
To select the best one between these two network options. Go through the details:
SAN:
● Network of multiple devices
● Block storage system
● Fibre Channel network
● Optimized for multiple users
● Faster performance
● Highly expandable
● Higher cost and complex setup
NAS:
● A single storage device or RAID
● File storage system
● TCP/IP Ethernet network
● Limited users
● Limited speed
● Limited expansion options
● Lower cost and easy setup
