A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a collection of storage devices that are tied together via a high-speed network to create one large storage resource that can be accessed by multiple servers. SANs are typically used to store, share and access enterprise data in a more secure and efficient manner compared to traditional dedicated storage models. With dedicated storage, each server is equipped with, and uses an attached storage capability. A SAN meanwhile basically acts as a common, shared storage resource for multiple servers. The storage devices in a SAN can include disk arrays, tapes and optical jukeboxes all of which can be accessed and shared by all of the attached servers.
How a Storage Area Network Works
In a storage area network, the pooled storage resources and the servers that access this storage are separated by a layer of management software. The software allows IT administrators to centralize and manage multiple storage resources as if it were one consolidated resource. Because of the software, each of the servers sees just one storage device, while each of the storage devices in the SAN sees just one server. Data can be moved at will to any of the devices on a SAN.
Factors Driving SAN Adoption
A variety of factors have been driving enterprise adoption of SAN architectures over the past few years. One of the biggest factors has been increased cost-efficiencies. Storage area networks allow companies to optimize the utilization of their storage resources. With an attached storage disk, any extra storage capacity on that disk would remain unused because no other server could use it. With a SAN on the other hand, all memory resources are pooled, resulting in better usage of existing capacity. Since SAN