SAN (Storage Area Network) is a high—speed network that provides access to consolidated data warehouses at the block level and is designed to work with large amounts of data. Basically, SAN is used to expand access to various storage devices (disk arrays and tape libraries) on servers so that the OS perceives them as locally connected.
The principle of SAN operation
The SAN runs on a network of storage devices that communicate with each other, creating a pool of shared storage resources. Such a network can be compared to a data backbone, which provides efficient and fast data transmission. The SAN uses the Fibre Channel communication protocol, specially designed for high-speed data transmission.
Comparing SAN with traditional data storage methods
Unlike traditional storage methods, in which data is stored on disks directly connected to servers, in a SAN, storage resources are separated from user servers. This separation allows for centralized storage management, improved scalability, and increased availability. This can be compared to a dedicated highway for data, which reduces traffic and increases speed.
The role of SAN in data management
SAN plays an important role in data management, especially in business environments. It is a flexible solution for managing large amounts of data with the ability to efficiently allocate and redistribute storage space. The SAN also supports disaster recovery processes, as it allows you to replicate data on different sites.
SAN Evolution: Transition from Fibre Channel to iSCSI
The traditional choice for SAN connectivity was Fibre Channel. iSCSI has become an alternative protocol. It uses the existing Ethernet network infrastructure to connect the SAN, which reduces costs and simplifies integration.