History of storage area network
A storage area network (SAN) is a specialized high-speed network or subnetwork that links several servers together and provides them with shared storage device pools.
Why storage area networks are important?
It’s possible that computer memory and local storage resources won’t offer corporate applications enough speed, performance, storage protection, or multiple-user access. For increased productivity and better data management, the majority of businesses use SAN in some capacity in addition to network-attached storage (NAS).
Historically, a network’s storage capacity was constrained by the number of storage devices that could connect to a server. One server, or several heterogeneous systems spread across several data centres, might share a common storage utility because to the networking flexibility that a SAN offers. By doing away with the conventional dedicated connection between a network file server and storage, the SAN removes bandwidth constraints and the idea that the server essentially owns and controls the storage devices. By removing single points of failure, a SAN improves the availability and dependability of cloud storage.
Because a network may contain several storage devices, such as disc, magnetic tape, and optical storage, a SAN is also ideal for disaster recovery (DR). Additionally, the storage tool may be situated remote from the servers it utilizes.
How storage area network works?
A SAN, also known as the network behind the servers, consists of a communication infrastructure that offers physical connections and enables any device to communicate to any other device via linked components like switches and directors. The storage bus idea is also expanded upon by the SAN. This idea makes it possible for servers and storage devices to link by using comparable components, such wide-area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs). In order to facilitate reliable data transfers, a SAN furthermore has a management layer that arranges the connections, storage components, and computer systems.
Modern SANs provide high availability and performance enhancements by developing new ways to connect storage to servers. They provide failover by connecting tape libraries and shared storage arrays to several servers that are utilized by clustered servers. Three methods exist for them to get beyond conventional network traffic constraints and enable direct, fast data transfers between servers and storage devices:
Storage server
The benefit of this conventional interaction style is that several servers may access the same storage device simultaneously or serially.
Server to server
A SAN can be used by servers to provide high-volume, low-latency, and fast communications.
Storage to storage
When data can be moved without the help of the server, server CPU cycles may be used for other tasks, including processing applications. Examples include a distant device mirroring over the SAN or a disc drive device that automatically backs up its data to a tape device.
Characteristics of storage area network
- Because SANs make it easy to add or remove storage devices from their storage networking systems, users may more quickly scale up or down the storage capacity to meet their needs. Furthermore, even while scaling up or down, servers continue to operate smoothly. There is reduced downtime since consumers may keep using the apps without having to restart or stop these servers.
- Data stored on a storage system may become accessible to cybercriminals. For this reason, a robust storage network system must have excellent security features. The security aspects of SAN are really good. By utilising a virtual SAN, customers may restrict unwanted access to data.
- They are among the best storage networking systems since they also contain security features like an access control list (ACL).
- Good disc utilization is provided by SAN.
Storage area network switch
The majority of storage area networks are powered by SAN switches. Its only function is to transfer storage data traffic between shared storage pools and servers. A SAN is created by connecting several host servers, which are composed of storage servers and other devices, via a switch. Certain switches can be utilized to create a basic SAN fabric on their own.
To create a bigger SAN fabric, more switches can be linked to one another. Active, intelligent, and nonshared connections between several SAN switches make up SAN fabrics. They expand a SAN’s potential connection count. Switches and file servers are connected via fibre channel host bus adapters (HBA).
SAN elements
Servers, storage, and networking infrastructure are the main parts of a SAN.
Servers
The foundation of all SAN systems is the server infrastructure, which consists of a variety of server platforms. The necessity for SANs grows as a result of initiatives such server consolidation and online shopping, which highlights the significance of network storage.
Storage
Disc and tape systems are two types of storage systems. The disc system can include flash drives, SSDs, and HDDs. Tape systems include drives, autoloaders, and libraries.
Network Infrastructure
Fibre Channel is one of the hardware and software components that make up SAN connectivity, which links servers and storage devices. Hubs, switches, gateways, directors, and routers are examples of hardware. SAN administration software is part of the software.