What is a Storage Area Network
A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a dedicated, high-speed network that connects data storage devices with associated data servers on behalf of a more extensive network of users. It provides access to consolidated, block-level data storage, enhancing the storage devices' availability and performance. SANs are typically used to improve application performance and support complex data management and backup services across enterprise environments.
Key Features
-
Support for Multiple Protocols: Includes compatibility with Fibre Channel (FC), iSCSI, and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), catering to diverse infrastructure requirements.
-
High Performance and Reliability: Delivers low latency and high throughput to meet the demands of critical applications.
-
Data Security and Availability: This product features robust encryption alongside comprehensive backup and recovery solutions to ensure data integrity and availability.
-
Flexible Storage Allocation and Provisioning: Utilises virtualisation and thin provisioning for efficient storage management and allocation.
-
Scalable Storage Capacity and Performance: Supports storage tiering and caching to enhance capacity and performance scalability.
The Benefits
-
Cost-Efficiency: Provides a storage solution that reduces capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX).
-
Improved Application Performance and Availability: Ensures faster data access and reduced downtime, enhancing application efficiency and availability.
-
Simplified Storage Management and Administration: Centralised control and automation streamline storage management and administration.
- Enhanced Data Protection and Compliance: Strengthens data security with advanced disaster recovery and replication strategies, aiding regulatory compliance.
These sophisticated SAN systems offer a comprehensive approach to managing data demands in high-stakes environments, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and scalability.