Difference between revisions of "Storage Area Network"
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| − | = Definition = | + | |
| − | + | = Definition = | |
| − | + | 1. A network whose primary purpose is the transfer of data between computer systems and storage elements and among storage elements. | |
| − | |||
A SAN consists of a communication infrastructure, which provides physical connections, and a management layer, which organizes the connections, storage elements, and computer systems so that data transfer is secure and robust. The term SAN is usually (but not necessarily) identified with block I/O services rather than file access services. | A SAN consists of a communication infrastructure, which provides physical connections, and a management layer, which organizes the connections, storage elements, and computer systems so that data transfer is secure and robust. The term SAN is usually (but not necessarily) identified with block I/O services rather than file access services. | ||
| − | + | 2. A storage system consisting of storage elements, storage devices, computer systems, and/or appliances, plus all control software, communicating over a network. | |
The SNIA definition specifically does not identify the term SAN with Fibre Channel technology. When the term SAN is used in connection with Fibre Channel technology, use of a qualified phrase such as "Fibre Channel SAN" is encouraged. According to this definition, an Ethernet-based network whose primary purpose is to provide access to storage elements would be considered a SAN. SANs are sometimes also used for system interconnection in clusters. | The SNIA definition specifically does not identify the term SAN with Fibre Channel technology. When the term SAN is used in connection with Fibre Channel technology, use of a qualified phrase such as "Fibre Channel SAN" is encouraged. According to this definition, an Ethernet-based network whose primary purpose is to provide access to storage elements would be considered a SAN. SANs are sometimes also used for system interconnection in clusters. | ||
*definition source [http://www.snia.org/education/dictionary/s/#storage_area_network Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) definition] | *definition source [http://www.snia.org/education/dictionary/s/#storage_area_network Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) definition] | ||
| + | * [http://www.snia.org SNIA's]] full definition of a [http://www.snia.org/education/storage_networking_primer/san/what_san SAN] | ||
= See also = | = See also = | ||
[[Network Attached Storage]] (NAS) | [[Network Attached Storage]] (NAS) | ||
[[Category:Computer]][[Category:Cluster]][[Category:Network]] | [[Category:Computer]][[Category:Cluster]][[Category:Network]] | ||
| + | = Differences between a SAN and a [[NAS]] = | ||
| + | [[Image:DAS-NAS-SAN.GIF|thumb|350px|How the terms DAS NAS and SAN are used by the storage industri]] | ||
| + | ;A [[NAS]] is defined by [http://www.snia.org SNIA] as: systems that provide file services to host computers using file access protocols'' | ||
| + | ;A SAN is is defined by [http://www.snia.org SNIA] as: The term SAN is usually (but not necessarily) identified with block I/O services rather than file access services. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Conclusion == | ||
| + | * A NAS can always be called a SAN | ||
| + | * A SAN can not necessarily be called a NAS unless it offers File Services via a network. | ||
| + | === A NAS using a SAN backend === | ||
| + | It is possible for a NAS to use a SAN backend as displayed in picture 2. | ||
| + | [[Image:SANvsNAS.png|thumb|500px|none|picture 2: A NAS with a SAN backend]] | ||
| + | = Additional reading = | ||
| + | *[[image:PDF-logo.png|25px]][[Media:IPSFWhitepaperOct07.pdf| IP Storage White Paper by SNIA]] | ||
| + | *[[image:PDF-logo.png|25px]][http://snia.preview.kavi.com/education/storage_networking_primer/storage_security/SNIAsecbookletfinal.pdf Storage Network Security by SNIA] | ||
| + | *[[image:PDF-logo.png|25px]][http://www.snia.org/education/storage_networking_primer/education/storage_networking_primer/stor_virt/sniavirt.pdf Storage virtualization by SNIA] | ||
| + | * [http://www.snia.org/education/ SNIA education WEB. Lots of god stuff] | ||
| + | *[[SAN Design Considerations|Cisco CCDP Storage Area Network]] | ||
| + | =Links= | ||
| + | *[http://whiptail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ACCELA-Product-Brief.pdf Whiptail SAN with 250.000 IOPS (Write)] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:21, 11 May 2012
Definition
1. A network whose primary purpose is the transfer of data between computer systems and storage elements and among storage elements.
A SAN consists of a communication infrastructure, which provides physical connections, and a management layer, which organizes the connections, storage elements, and computer systems so that data transfer is secure and robust. The term SAN is usually (but not necessarily) identified with block I/O services rather than file access services.
2. A storage system consisting of storage elements, storage devices, computer systems, and/or appliances, plus all control software, communicating over a network.
The SNIA definition specifically does not identify the term SAN with Fibre Channel technology. When the term SAN is used in connection with Fibre Channel technology, use of a qualified phrase such as "Fibre Channel SAN" is encouraged. According to this definition, an Ethernet-based network whose primary purpose is to provide access to storage elements would be considered a SAN. SANs are sometimes also used for system interconnection in clusters.
- definition source Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) definition
- SNIA's] full definition of a SAN
See also
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Differences between a SAN and a NAS
- A NAS is defined by SNIA as
- systems that provide file services to host computers using file access protocols
- A SAN is is defined by SNIA as
- The term SAN is usually (but not necessarily) identified with block I/O services rather than file access services.
Conclusion
- A NAS can always be called a SAN
- A SAN can not necessarily be called a NAS unless it offers File Services via a network.
A NAS using a SAN backend
It is possible for a NAS to use a SAN backend as displayed in picture 2.
Additional reading
IP Storage White Paper by SNIA- Storage Network Security by SNIA
- Storage virtualization by SNIA
- SNIA education WEB. Lots of god stuff
- Cisco CCDP Storage Area Network
