A storage area network, or SAN, is a high-speed network of storage devices that can be accessed by servers. A SAN typically consists of a storage controller, a Fiber Channel switch, and a set of storage devices.
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The main benefits of using a SAN are increased storage capacity, improved performance, and enhanced security. SANs also offer greater flexibility and scalability than traditional storage systems.
Main Components of Storage Area Network
There are six main components of a SAN: storage controllers, Fiber Channel switches, storage devices, host bus adapters, cables, and software.
Storage Controllers
Storage controllers are the heart of a SAN. They are responsible for managing the storage devices and providing access to them. Storage controllers come in a variety of form factors, including blade, rack-mount, and tower.
Fiber Channel Switches
Fiber Channel switches connect the storage devices to the host bus adapters. They provide a high-speed, low-latency connection between the two. Fiber Channel switches come in a variety of form factors, including blade, rack-mount, and tower.
Storage Devices
Storage devices are the actual devices that store data. They can be either direct-attached or network-attached. Common storage devices include hard drives, solid state drives, and tape drives.
Host Bus Adapters
Host bus adapters connect the servers to the Fiber Channel switches. They provide a high-speed, low-latency connection between the two. Host bus adapters come in a variety of form factors, including blade, rack-mount, and tower.
Cables
Cables connect the various components of a SAN together. They come in a variety of lengths and types, including Fiber Channel, Ethernet, and InfiniBand.
Software
SAN software provides the necessary tools for managing and configuring a SAN. It includes a variety of applications, such as storage management, backup and recovery, and security.