A Storage Area Network (SAN) refers to a group of storage devices used by large-scale corporations. It efficiently executes business applications and tasks. Plus, SAN offers a room for interconnection and linking storage systems to different servers.
This network is optimal for the disaster recovery process because a network can include multiple storage devices, disks, magnetic tape, and optical storage. It smoothly centralizes storage devices and clustering of servers.
In this blog, we’ll cover different aspects of SAN that contribute to business operations:
Centralized Management:
SAN offers centralized management by providing a single point of control for all storage devices on the network. It can happen through the below-mentioned ways:
- SAN management console:
A Storage area network (SAN) management console is a software application that provides a centralized view of all storage devices on the network. This allows administrators to manage all storage devices from one location, saving time and improving efficiency.
- SAN management agents:
SAN management agents are software applications installed on each network storage device. These agents communicate with the SAN management console to provide information about the device’s health and performance.
- SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol):
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a standard network management protocol that monitors and manages SAN devices. SNMP can collect information about device health, performance, and usage.
Better Application Performance:
SAN (Storage Area Network) offers better application performance in several ways, including:
- Scalability:
SANs are scalable, meaning they can be easily expanded to meet the growing needs of applications. This contrasts traditional direct-attached storage (DAS), which is limited by the number of expansion ports on the server.
- Performance:
SANs perform better than DAS because they use dedicated network links for storage traffic. This eliminates contention for resources on the server’s local bus, which can lead to bottlenecks.
- Availability:
SANs are more available than DAS because they use redundant components, such as multiple disks and network links. This offers room for the availability of networks even if a component fails.
- Security:
SANs offer better security than DAS because they can be isolated from the rest of the network. This protects your data from any unauthorized access.
Remote Site Data Transfer:
Remote data transmission occurs between computers through various mediums ( telephone networks, audio, or optics) and specific protocols. This protocol type dictates how data gets prepared or exchanged using special hardware.
Storage area network allows site data transfer through the below-mentioned ways:
- File transfer protocol (FTP):
FTP refers to a standard protocol for transferring files between computers. It is a reliable and secure method for transferring data but can be slow for large files.
- Secure copy (SCP):
SCP is a secure file transfer protocol that uses SSH encryption.
- Remote desktop protocol (RDP):
RDP is a protocol that allows you to connect to a remote computer and control it as if sitting in front of it. This can transfer files by dragging and dropping them between the two computers.
- Cloud-based file-sharing services:
Several cloud-based file-sharing services allow storing and sharing files online. These services can transfer data between computers not connected to the same network.
Data Recovery:
Here are some specific examples of how SANs can help in data recovery:
- RAID:
This is because RAID systems store data across multiple disks, so each disk contains only a portion of the total data.
- Snapshots:
Snapshots create a point-in-time copy of data. Snapshots can be created manually or automatically and stored for a set period or indefinitely.
- Remote management:
SANs can be managed remotely, making accessing and recovering data easier for data recovery professionals. This is because SANs do not require physical access to the storage devices.
Quality of Service (QoS):
SANs offer Quality of Service (quality service) features that allow administrators to prioritize and allocate bandwidth to specific applications or users. This feature enables organizations to ensure mission-critical applications receive the necessary resources for optimal performance, even during peak usage.
There are two main ways that SANs offer QoS:
- Bandwidth reservation:
This involves reserving a certain amount of bandwidth for specific types of traffic. This ensures that these types of traffic will always have enough bandwidth to function properly, even if the network is congested.
- Traffic shaping:
This involves shaping the traffic so that it flows at a consistent rate. This helps to prevent spikes in network traffic from causing congestion.
Bottom Line:
Storage area network offers a range of functionalities such as remote management, remote site data transfer, central data management, etc. With these functionalities, you can perform your tasks better than your competitors.
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