my first SAN solution guide - Integration Services Ltd (ISL)

my first
SAN
solution
guide
© Hewlett-Packard Company 2003. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other names are for information only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Technical information in this document is subject to change without notice. Photographed products may not always match the description.
Printed in the U.K. Project xx/1/03/FINEX/UK
• avoiding the flood of user complaints
over slow system performance
when data backups overrun into
business hours
overview
how can a SAN help?
a typical SAN
• you need to reduce the amount of
time and personnel required to
manage and protect the information
you already have
• easing the pressure of deadlines
when data has to be restored
how can this guide help?
• you need to improve data access,
especially for tape backups
and restores
Adding a new storage system to your IT
components can be a daunting
prospect. The purpose of this guide is to
give you a basic introduction to storage
area networks (SANs) covering:
Digital information is a critical
component of business today. The
volume of information that needs to be
captured and managed grows every
day – and that data often needs to be
accessed round-the-clock. Inability to
access your information – when running
a system backup, for example – is
simply no longer an option. And with IT
budgets decreasing, it’s vital that any
system implemented be efficient and
cost-effective.
Times have changed. Storage systems
used to consist of a hard disk or tape
drive connected exclusively to a single
server (direct attached storage or DAS).
Now, more flexible, intelligent and
easier-to-manage storage solutions are
needed to keep up with today’s business
challenges. The benefits of this
approach include:
• reducing the amount of time it takes
to manage and allocate disk space
• ensuring that key applications such as
email can run without the constant
worry of hardware failure
2
• you have either an immediate or
impending requirement for greater
data storage capacity
• what they are and the benefits
they provide
• you need to consolidate your storage
from disparate locations which are
under-utilising existing capacities or
performance
• a simplified breakdown of the key
hardware components that make up
a SAN
• you have servers from a variety of
hardware vendors and do not want
to continue to buy individual storage
solutions from each vendor
• these components matched to an
HP StorageWorks entry-level portfolio
• suggested Microsoft® Windows®
2000/ Windows NT®, Novell®
NetWare® and Linux solutions,
including a parts list and
recommended quantities for
connecting numerous servers
your questions answered
Turn to page 10 for a selection of
frequently asked questions, covering
business and technical issues.
jargon busting
To help explain the industry jargon,
you’ll find a glossary on page 15.
A SAN will be of immediate benefit to
your organisation if:
• you want to increase the effectiveness
of your existing IT investments
what is a storage area
network?
The simplest way of understanding a
storage area network is to compare
a SAN to an already popular type of IT
infrastructure solution in use today – the
local area network (LAN).
LANs enable PCs to share key IT
resources such as applications, servers,
shared files and printers. SANs in
essence provide the same sort of
resource sharing, but are specifically
designed for servers to share storage
devices and associated storage
software.
Whilst LANs are widely acknowledged
as beneficial for all companies, SANs
are often perceived as only being
suitable for companies with vast
budgets and specialist IT knowledge.
This is not the case.
3
servers
SAN infrastructure
disk storage
tape storage
management software
Multiple servers, from different vendors,
running different operating systems can
be connected into a SAN. The number of
different servers and operating systems
that need to be connected determines the
complexity and cost of a SAN solution.
The key enabling components of any
SAN infrastructure are the hardware,
cabling and software components
responsible for the movement of data
into and within the SAN. The general
terminology used to describe such
components is called the SAN fabric.
(Often illustrated as a cloud.)
Disk storage is provided through the use
of disk arrays (also known as RAID
arrays). Disk arrays are dedicated
storage devices accessed by servers to
provide and store data.
SANs can enable the creation of a highspeed direct Fibre Channel connection
between each server’s storage device and
a SAN-enabled tape backup library. This
means that the corporate LAN is no
longer used to move data during the
backup and restore process, improving
performance for all services and users
using the LAN. This type of tape storage
implementation is referred to as a LANfree backup solution.
Perhaps the most important – and the
most overlooked – part of any SAN
is the management software, which:
Fibre optic cabling is by far the most
common and proven form of SAN
cabling. Each server is connected to the
SAN by a special Fibre Channel card
called a host bus adapter (HBA) that
can be plugged into a free peripheral
component interconnect (PCI) slot in the
server. The type and model of HBA
depends on the server manufacturer and
operating system being used.
SAN
components
There are five basic components
of a SAN:
1. servers – hardware
2. SAN infrastructure – hardware
3. disk storage – hardware
4. tape storage – hardware
5. management software
4
Servers can have either a single or dual
connection into the SAN. The benefit of
dual connectivity into the SAN is that it
virtually eliminates problems such as
cabling or SAN infrastructure hardware
failures, much like a LAN. Improved
connectivity can also be achieved if
both SAN connections can be used
simultaneously. Each host bus adapter
installed in a server is often referred to
as a host connection.
benefits of a SAN:
• increases the server’s ability to access
data in the event of component or
connection failure
• allows multiple servers to share
storage for greater efficiency
• releases existing servers that were
just providing shared access to
data areas to run other business
applications or services
The host bus adapters and Fibre Channel
switches play a major role in the SAN
fabric. Switches provide the connection
of host bus adapters in servers, using
fibre optic cabling, to other storage
devices on the SAN.
Switches however, play a much more
important role in the SAN than just
permitting the connection of the HBAs.
They also add a great deal of
intelligence to the routing of information
within the SAN, ensuring that the data
gets to and from the correct device as
efficiently as possible, bypassing any
failed or congested connections
within the SAN.
Switches can also be linked together in
a process known as cascading. This
allows for an increase in the number of
connections through the SAN, providing
even greater performance and resilience
against individual connection failures.
benefits of a SAN:
• creates a high-performance, resilient
infrastructure that can easily be
modified or expanded as your needs
change or grow
Typical benefits of the modern disk
array are:
• high levels of fault tolerance through
component design and by writing
data over each individual disk drive
simultaneously (called RAID)
• modular design, enabling flexible
growth in capacity and improved
performance over time
• can be shared simultaneously to
different servers running different
operating systems
benefits of a SAN:
• centralising the majority of your
data into one or more disk arrays
will increase the efficiency and
accessibility of your disk space
resources
• significantly reduces the burden of
administration and data management
Modern SAN backup/restore solutions
can also use an enhanced SCSI
technology (called Third Party or
Extended Copy). This technology enables
the SAN to move data directly between
the disk array and tape library without
passing through the server once the
backup/restore request has been
initiated. This type of solution is
known as a serverless backup
configuration and enables servers to
dedicate more of their resources to
other applications and services.
benefits of a SAN:
• more information can be protected in
a much shorter period of time
• the impact on performance for users,
applications, and even servers
running during the backup/restore
process is virtually eliminated
• all tape backup/restore operations
can be managed from a single
location
• enables the configuration and
optimisation of the individual
SAN components
• monitors the SAN, highlighting areas
of concern or potential failure
• can re-route information to avoid
areas of congestion or SAN fabric
failure
• can automate time-consuming tasks
such as data protection, and
allocation to users or other IT services
• provides usage statistics which offer
the ability to cross-charge users of
the SAN for the amount of data they
are using or storing
SAN management software can also
add specific functionality, such as
providing the ability to view and
manage all available storage in the
SAN, regardless of where it’s located, as
one ‘virtual’ pool – called virtualisation.
(Virtualisation can also take place in
different ways, and for more information
on HP virtualisation solutions please
contact your preferred HP Partner.)
benefits of a SAN:
• automatically monitors and manages
the entire storage infrastructure,
to free personnel and save time
• introduces new levels of resilience for
your information, increasing the
ability for round-the-clock access
5
recommended
SAN
components
For more detailed information
on HP storage products, visit
www.hp.com/go/storage
The illustrated products require installation into
an HP rack solution. Please consult your
preferred partner for more information.
HP StorageWorks
HP StorageWorks
HP StorageWorks
SAN Switch 2/8-EL
FCA2101, FCA2210 & FCA2214
Fibre Channel host bus adapters
(HBAs)
MSL5026/MSL5030 tape libraries
• Provides up to 8 Fibre Channel
connection ports that can
automatically detect both the speed
and type of Fibre Channel
connection used
• Easily scales to provide a flexible and
resilient SAN infrastructure
• Compact, powerful 2Gb Fibre Channel
interconnects for high performance
• Uses either single/dual LTO Ultrium
100/200Gb or SDLT160/320Gb
hot-pluggable tape drives for data
transfer rates of up to 115Gb/hr
• Can automatically detect the type of
SAN infrastructure they are connecting
to, simplifying management
• Delivers the industry’s highest storage
density (up to 4.16TB) with lowest
cost per gigabyte
• Available for Microsoft® Windows®
2000/Microsoft® Windows NT®,
Novell® NetWare® & Linux
• Scalable modular design enables
capacity of up to 66.56TB (with 2:1
data compression)
• FC models include a Network
Storage Router e1200 (NSR) for
SAN connectivity with serverless
backup support
HP StorageWorks
Modular SAN Array 1000
• Uses the latest industry-standard
Fibre Channel technology
• Can scale up to 6TB, using modular
storage components
• Inherent resilience and availability
through redundant components that
can be replaced with no downtime
6
• Enables instantaneous migration for
Compaq 1-inch universal hard disk
drives and their data using HP’s
unique DtS technology (see page 8)
• NSRs can also be added internally
to non-FC models or externally to
other HP StorageWorks tape libraries
for SAN connectivity
three SAN software solutions
HP OpenView
Virtual Replicator software
HP OpenView Data Protector
• Centralised tape and disk-based
backup and recovery with one tool
• Seamlessly integrated, automated
zero downtime backup
• Scalable, highly modular architecture,
broad support for multivendor
devices, systems, applications
and topologies
• Offers flexible and simplified
management of logical volumes in a
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and
Microsoft® Windows NT® environment
for maximum resource utilisation
• Advanced, automated storage services
that complement Microsoft® Windows®
2000 and Microsoft® Windows NT®
(eg. create ‘point-in-time’ copies of
live data with no downtime)
HP StorageWorks
Secure Path software
• Effectively eliminates interconnect
hardware and host bus adapters as
single points of failure through
creation of multiple paths to the SAN
• Available for Microsoft® Windows®
2000, Microsoft® Windows NT® and
Novell® NetWare® with Linux support
scheduled for 2003
7
your
questions
answered
the hp
solution
a unique, easy
migration path
All HP SAN solutions are fully integrated
and tested to ensure functionality,
performance and compatibility. With our
extensive partner network and our own
support organisation, HP offers the
peace of mind that comes from knowing
that a solution works right now and can
expand into the future as needs dictate.
HP also offers a seamless, instantaneous
upgrade path for customers who have
already invested in HP SmartArray
technology and HP ProLiant servers.
This unique ability, provided through the
HP StorageWorks Modular SAN Array
1000, is based on a technology called
DAS to SAN (DtS). It’s ideal for
customers thinking of deploying their
first SAN solution who might be
concerned about the complexity and
cost of implementation.
8
HP DtS technology enables you to:
• physically remove any HP 1-inch
universal hot-pluggable disk drive(s)*
from its direct attached storage
configuration, and install into an
HP StorageWorks MSA1000
disk array without losing any data
or configuration information
• access the original data from the
original server, after the installation
of an HBA and minor configuration –
without having to purchase new disk
drives, or undertake tradition tape
backup/restore practices
* using recent generations of HP
ProLiant SmartArray controllers and
RA4100 storage systems.
For more information on DtS technology
and the migration process please visit:
www.hp.com/uk/msa1000doc
or contact your preferred HP
storage partner.
what happens if I need
to add more storage
capacity?
what happens if I need
increased backup
capacity?
Because HP StorageWorks
MSA1000 disk arrays are
modular they can be expanded
by adding further disk drives
either internally or externally
with additional disk enclosures
as your requirements grow.
All HP StorageWorks MSL5000
tape libraries are modular in
design and can be expanded
easily by adding either
additional drives, or even further
MSL5000 tape libraries for
greater performance or capacity.
The HP StorageWorks MSA1000 can
be expanded to up to 6TB simply by
adding up to two HP StorageWorks
4200/4300 enclosures. These expand
the solution to a total of 42 disk drives,
all of which can be migrated from a
suitable HP ProLiant server using DtS
technology. A single MSA1000 disk
array can be used to migrate up to
42 drives and 32 volumes. If your
requirements exceed 6TB, then consider
adding more MSA1000 disk arrays
to the SAN infrastructure.
To connect multiple MSL5000 libraries
you can use the optional pass-through kit,
as listed on the bill of materials on page
13. By using this pass-through mechanism,
independent software vendor applications
see only a single library, albeit with an
increase in the number of tape cartridge
slots or drives. Up to eight MSL5026
or MSL5030 libraries can be scaled
together. If you have currently deployed
a single tape drive MSL5000 solution,
then performance can be substantially
increased with the installation of just
one additional tape drive.
9
what if I want to add
more servers to the SAN?
As each server that connects to
the SAN must have at least one
Fibre Channel connection card
(HBA), it is important to ensure
that both the SAN fabric and the
storage disk arrays can support
the increase in the number of
servers you wish to add. HP SAN
fabrics can be expanded simply
by connecting other HP
StorageWorks SAN switches or
additional MSA1000 disk arrays
as your needs change.
You can connect up to four HP
StorageWorks 2/8-EL switches straight
out of the box. If further expansion is
required, this limit can be increased to
20 HP StorageWorks 2/8-EL switches
through an optional firmware upgrade.
The connection of switches to other
switches is called cascading. Cascaded
switch configurations enable the
connection of switches with different
10
capacities (called port counts) or
features. If your requirement exceeds
the scaling of the four HP StorageWorks
2/8-EL switches, then it is recommended
that you work with your preferred
HP storage partner.
Because all ports on HP StorageWorks
2/8-EL switches automatically detect both
the speed and type of Fibre Channel
connection, configuration is as simple as
plugging in the Fibre Channel cable.
Each MSA1000 disk array will support
a connection of up to 32 servers (each
with a single HBA) or 16 servers
(with dual HBAs), but it is recommended
that for a connection to more than 20
servers (with single HBAs) or 10 servers
(with dual HBAs) you consider adding
an additional MSA1000 disk array.
how can I increase the
intelligence of my
storage system?
how can I increase
storage resilience or
availability?
Using the included HP OpenView
Virtual Replicator for Microsoft®
Windows® 2000 and Microsoft®
Windows NT® storage tasks can be
automated through virtualisation
to increase visibility and control.
A single user licence is included
with every MSA1000 disk array.
Depending on the nature of your
original SAN configuration and
changing requirements, the most
effective way of increasing
resilience is to increase or
duplicate the number of
connections within the SAN fabric
by adding further switches, and
dual HBA connectivity with HP
StorageWorks Secure Path
software.
OpenView Virtual Replicator provides
advanced storage services such as
online volume growth, point-in-time
copies and centralised management,
which complement the standard
capabilities of the operating system.
It can pool physical storage and create
large-sized virtual disks tailored to
your production environment, maximising
the use of available resources. Virtual
disk space can be allocated as needed,
allowing you to respond quickly to
changing storage capacity requirements.
Combined with additional switches, a
true no-single-point-of-failure infrastructure
can easily be built. Please be aware
that adding dual path connectivity into
a SAN with only one MSA1000 disk
array will reduce the maximum number
of servers to which the MSA1000 can
be connected. Also please note that
MSA1000 Secure Path support is
currently only available for Microsoft®
Windows® 2000, Microsoft® Windows
NT® and Novell® NetWare® MSA.
Support is expected to be made
available for Linux-based systems
during 2003.
Further enhancements to enable high
availability configurations for businesscritical applications can be made by
using the MSA1000 disk array and
HP ProLiant cluster products. These
industry-standard, Fibre Channel-based
clustered solutions provide device and
data path failover to keep applications
running. However, it is recommended
that you work with your preferred HP
storage partner if you have specific
clustering solution requirements.
11
6TB cluster configuration for 6
servers clustered (2 each running
WNT/NetWare & Linux requiring
a single SAN connection)
Bill of materials
3TB cluster configuration for 2
servers clustered (Running W2K
requiring dual SAN connections)
Please contact your preferred channel partner for information on the
additional recommendations on HP OpenView Data Protector.
2TB SAN solution for 4 servers
(2 each running W2K & NetWare
requiring dual SAN connections)
Shown below is a sample bill of materials (BOM) for the four typical
SAN configurations listed on the right.
1TB SAN solution for 3 servers
(running W2K/NetWare & Linux
each requiring a single
SAN connection)
sample solution configurations
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
4
4
4
available services include:
design and integration
We provide expertise and experience to
help you create your SAN architecture
and design. HP also offers storage and
SAN integration services, which provide
a trouble-free and quick on-site
installation of your SAN solution.
Additional services in critical areas such
as SAN management, data protection
and recovery can also be provided.
Disk array
201723-B22
HP StorageWorks MSA1000 RAID Array
218231-B22
HP StorageWorks MSA1000 RAID Controller
190209-B31
HP StorageWorks 4314 drive shelf rack
218960-B21
Fibre Channel I/O module (includes 2Gb SFP transceiver)
1
2
data migration
Infrastructure
245299-B21
2Gb 64-bit PCI Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter for WNT/W2K (FCA2101)
281540-B21
2Gb 64-bit PCI Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter for NetWare (FCA2210)
1
281541-B21
2Gb 64-bit PCI Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter for Linux (FCA2214)
1
221470-B21
2Gb SFP-SW transceiver kit
5
11
221692-B22
5m LC/LC multi-mode Fibre Channel cable kit
5
258707-B21
HP StorageWorks SAN Switch 2/8-EL (2Gb)
1
283056-B21
HP StorageWorks SAN Switch 2/16-EL (2Gb)
2
2
2
9
8
11
9
8
2
2
1
hp services
Disks
286716-B22
146.8Gb Pluggable Ultra320 SCSI 10,000 rpm hard drive (1in.)
232432-B22
72.8Gb Pluggable Ultra320 SCSI 10,000 rpm universal hard drive (1in.)
286776-B22
36.4Gb Pluggable Ultra320 SCSI 15,000 rpm Universal Hard Drive (1in.)
28
28
42
operate and evolve
services
28
28
Software components
213076-B23
HP Secure Path V4 for Windows Workgroup Edition
2
222411-B22
HP StorageWorks Secure Path for NetWare
2
252408-B22
ProLiant Cluster HA/F100 for MSA1000 for NT 4.0 & Windows 2000 (dual server, single path)
252409-B22
ProLiant Cluster HA/F200 for MSA1000 for NT 4.0 & Windows 2000 (dual server, dual path)
303523-B21
ProLiant Cluster HA/L100 Lifekeeper for MSA1000 for Linux (single path)
1
1
1
Tape library
12
293472-B25
HP StorageWorks MSL5026S2 2 drive SDLT160/320 rackmount FC
293472-B21
HP StorageWorks MSL5026S2 0 drive SDLT160/320 rackmount
304825-B21
HP StorageWorks MSL5000, universal passthrough mechanism
188527-B26
HP StorageWorks SDLT 110/220 media - 20 pack ALL
301897-B25
HP StorageWorks MSL5030L1 2 drive LTO Ultrium 230 rackmount FC
301897-B21
HP StorageWorks MSL5030 0 drive rackmount library
C7971A
HP LTO Ultrium data cartridge
*Additional ISV software such as HP DataProtector will be required to run backup/restore operations
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
20
40
1
We offer a stress-free data migration
from mission-critical HP-UX, Microsoft®
Windows® 2000, Microsoft® Windows
NT®, Sun legacy and EMC storage
systems to the HP StorageWorks SAN
platform, based on an end-to-end
management of the entire data
migration process.
To help you evolve your SAN as your
needs change, a full range of storage
services is available. These include
design, integration, data migration,
support and services. For full details
please contact your HP sales
representative or visit
www.hp.com/hps/storage
These range from reactive hardware
and software support (8am–5pm, 3-day
response to 24x7, same day response
with 6-hour call-to-restoration
commitments) to comprehensive,
proactive mission-sensitive and missioncritical environment support.
To help you evolve your storage
environment, we analyse its performance
and capacity use, including all major
system components. You receive a
detailed performance and capacity
report with recommendations on how
best to tune your system’s performance
and optimise its capacity use.
13
standard warranty for
My First SAN components
warranty
HP’s standard warranty provides
one year’s on-site, next business day
coverage for all entry-level HP
StorageWorks SAN components (with
the exception of HBAs, disk drives and
Universal Disk Drive enclosures which
have a three year parts only warranty).
SAN fabric
The HP StorageWorks MSA1000 disk
array also includes 90 day software
support services, and a parts only
warranty for years 2 and 3.
jargon
buster
HP also offers extended/upgraded
warranty services under the name
of CarePaq. CarePaq services for
entry-level HP StorageWorks
components are as follows:
The hardware that connects workstations
and servers to storage devices in a
SAN. The SAN fabric enables anyserver-to-any-storage device connectivity
through the use of Fibre Channel
switching technology.
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface.
A protocol used to communicate with
SCSI interface devices. Also used by Fibre
Channel to communicate with disk drives.
SAP Long Description
cascading
Fibre Channel
160874-022
CarePaq 43xx Drive Enclosure, on-site 4 hr response 9x5, 3 yrs
HP StorageWorks enclosure
160882-022
CarePaq 43xx Drive Enclosure, on-site 4 hr response 24x7, 3 yrs
The ability to connect switches to one
another to create a large SAN fabric.
4200/4300 family
207031-022
CarePaq 43xx Drive Enclosure, on-site 6 hr call to fix 9x5, 3 yrs
207032-022
CarePaq 43xx Drive Enclosure, on-site 6 hr call to fix 24x7, 3 yrs
160875-022
CarePaq MSA1000 & Smart Array Cluster, on-site 4 hr response 9x5, 3 yrs
160883-022
CarePaq MSA1000 & Smart Array Cluster, on-site 4 hr response 24x7, 3 yrs
A technology for transmitting data
between servers and storage devices
at high-speed. Fibre Channel
configurations use fibre optic cabling,
connected to switches, host bus adapters
or Fibre Channel controllers.
207033-022
CarePaq MSA1000 & Smart Array Cluster, on-site 6 hr call to fix 9x5, 3 yrs
207034-022
CarePaq MSA1000 & Smart Array Cluster, on-site 6 hr call to fix 24x7, 3 yrs
206953-022
CarePaq SAN Switch 8 & 16-EL, on-site 4 hr response 9x5, 3 yrs
Fibre Channel SAN Switch 8-EL and 2/8-EL
206954-022
CarePaq SAN Switch 8 & 16-EL, on-site 4 hr response 24x7, 3 yrs
Fibre Channel SAN Switch 16-EL and 2/16-EL
207039-022
CarePaq SAN Switch 8 & 16-EL, on-site 6 hr call to fix 9x5, 3 yrs
207040-022
CarePaq SAN Switch 8 & 16-EL, on-site 6 hr call to fix 24x7, 3 yrs
207117-022
CarePaq MSL5026/MSL 5030 tape library, on-site 4 hr response 9x5, 3 yrs
HP StorageWorks MSL5026/MSL5030
207118-022
CarePaq MSL5026/MSL 5030 tape library, on-site 4 hr response 24x7, 3 yrs
tape library 1 or 2 tape drives
207119-022
CarePaq MSL5026/MSL 5030 tape library, on-site 6 hr call to fix 9x5, 3 yrs
207120-022
CarePaq MSL5026/MSL 5030 tape library, on-site 6 hr call to fix 24x7, 3 yrs
Supported products
HP StorageWorks Modular SAN Array 1000
including all internal options like all disks,
optional Fibre Channel switch etc.
Boxed part no.
For more detailed information on
HP warranty services please visit
www.hp.com/uk/limitedwarranty
14
DAS
Direct Attached Storage.
A deployment of dedicated storage
devices for each server. This model
leads to inefficient storage use and
allocation, plus a mix of different vendor
storage and management interfaces.
DtS
DAS to SAN technology – an exclusive
HP feature that provides a quick and
easy way to migrate stored data
protected by SmartArray and RA 4100
storage solutions to an HP StorageWorks
MSA1000 disk array. For more
information on DtS technology and the
migration process please visit:
www.hp.com/uk/msa1000.doc
or contact your preferred HP
storage partner.
HBA
Host Bus Adapter.
An PCI adapter that connects a server to
the SAN fabric. Each HBA installed is
referred to as a host.
LAN-free backup
A configuration where data
backup/restore operations take place
over a Fibre Channel connection instead
of a LAN.
RAID
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks.
A method of writing data simultaneously
over multiple disk drives used in disk
arrays for increased protection.
serverless backup
The ability to back up from disk to tape
with minimal or no data passing through
the server for improved performance.
SAN
Storage Area Network.
A high-speed, special purpose network
that connects different types of data
storage devices with associated servers.
A SAN may extend to multiple or even
remote locations for backup and
archival storage.
switch
A network device that selects a path or
circuit for sending a unit of data to its
next destination.
virtualisation
Technologies that help remove physical
storage boundaries by treating all
available storage, regardless of its
location, as one ‘virtual’ pool.
15