How to Buy a SAN: A Comprehensive Guide

Your Guide to buying the best SAN

Overview

This SAN buying guide provides comprehensive information about Storage Area Networks (SAN) and the different factors to consider when selecting a SAN for your business. It covers topics such as understanding the basics of SANs, identifying key features to consider, how to select the right SAN for your business needs and budget, and much more. With this guide, you can make an informed decision on selecting the best SAN for your organization.

Key features

  1. SAN Connectivity and Bandwidth Needs - It is important to consider the number of servers and other devices that need to be connected to the SAN, as well as the estimated bandwidth requirements for those devices.
  2. Storage Capacity - The amount of storage capacity needed should be considered based on the amount of data that needs to be stored on the SAN.
  3. SAN Architecture and Protocols - It is important to consider the SAN architecture and the protocols that are supported by the SAN. This will ensure that the SAN is compatible with the existing systems.
  4. SAN Security and Data Protection - Data security and protection are key considerations when choosing a SAN. It is important to consider the different levels of security provided by the SAN, as well as the data protection capabilities, such as backups and encryption.
  5. Support and Maintenance - It is important to consider the support and maintenance that is provided by the SAN vendor, in order to ensure that the SAN is running smoothly and efficiently.
  6. Scalability and Flexibility - It is important to consider the scalability and flexibility of the SAN, in order to ensure that it can grow with the needs of the business.
  7. Cost - Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing a SAN, as it will determine the type of SAN that can be purchased. It is important to weigh the cost against the features and benefits of the SAN.

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Important considerations

Pros

  • Cost Savings - SANs offer cost savings compared to traditional hard drive solutions because less hardware is necessary and less space is required.
  • Scalability - SANs are easily scalable so they can grow with the needs of the business instead of needing to be replaced.
  • High Performance - SANs offer higher performance than traditional hard drives since data can be accessed more quickly and efficiently.
  • High Availability - SANs provide high availability and reliability since data is stored in a redundant environment.
  • Data Security - SANs provide data security by replicating data on multiple disks in a redundant environment.
  • Simplified Management - SANs provide simplified management since they are integrated with the local network and can be managed from a single point.

Cons

  • Cost: Storage area networks are typically more expensive than other storage solutions due to the complexity of the technology.
  • Network Security: SAN networks are vulnerable to network security threats and need to be carefully secured with firewalls, encryption, and other security measures.
  • Hardware Limitations: SANs are dependent on the underlying hardware, such as the number and type of drives, controllers, etc., making upgrades difficult and costly.
  • Maintenance: SANs require regular maintenance to ensure performance and data integrity.
  • Scalability: Depending on the design of the SAN, it can be difficult to scale up the storage capacity due to its complex architecture.

Best alternatives

  1. NAS - Network Attached Storage is an alternative to SAN that can be used to store data across a computer network.
  2. Direct Attached Storage (DAS) - DAS is a storage system directly attached to the computer in order to increase storage capacity.
  3. Cloud Storage - Cloud storage is a model of computer data storage in which the digital data is stored in logical pools, across multiple servers.
  4. Tape Storage - Tape storage is a storage medium that uses magnetic tape to store digital information.
  5. Object Storage - Object storage is a form of data storage in which data is stored in objects, instead of blocks.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • SAN Controller - This is the brains of a storage area network and is responsible for managing all the SAN components.
  • Host Bus Adapters - Host Bus Adapters are the hardware responsible for connecting the hosts to the SAN.
  • Storage Array - This is where the actual data is stored. It consists of multiple disks or storage units and is managed by the SAN Controller.
  • Fibre Channel Switches - Fibre Channel Switches are used to create a dedicated network between the SAN storage devices and the hosts.
  • Cables - Appropriate cables are required to connect the storage devices, the SAN Controller, and the hosts.
  • Software - Software is required for the SAN Controller to manage the storage devices and hosts.

Common questions

  1. What is SAN? SAN is a Storage Area Network, which is a high-performance network of storage devices such as hard drives, tape drives, and solid-state drives used to store and manage data.
  2. What types of SAN are available? The two main types of SAN are Fibre Channel SANs and iSCSI SANs. Fibre Channel SANs use a dedicated fiber optic network to connect the storage devices, while iSCSI SANs connect the storage devices to the network using standard Ethernet cables.
  3. What are the benefits of using a SAN? The main benefit of using a SAN is that it provides a much higher performance than a traditional storage system. It also offers better scalability and flexibility, as it can be expanded or upgraded easily to accommodate growing storage needs. Additionally, a SAN can be used to provide redundancy, allowing for the storage of data in multiple locations in the event of a failure.
  4. What do I need to consider when buying a SAN? When buying a SAN, you need to consider several factors such as the type of SAN (Fibre Channel or iSCSI), the speed of the SAN (10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, etc.), the size of the SAN (number of hard drives, storage capacity, etc.), and the availability of support and maintenance services.
  5. Are there any alternatives to SAN? Yes, there are some alternatives to SAN such as network-attached storage (NAS), direct-attached storage (DAS), and cloud storage. Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages, and should be considered based on the specific needs of the organization.

Trivia

San Diego is known for its diverse population - and one of its most unusual residents is a humpback whale named 55! The whale swims up and down the coast of San Diego, and has become a beloved member of the local community. Residents can often spot 55 from the shore, or even from their boats. She is also a popular guest at local festivals and events, and has even been given her own parade in the city! 55 is a reminder that the ocean is a beautiful place, and that San Diego is a great place to both live and visit. Sources: https://www.sandiego.org/articles/san-diego-blog/humpback-whale-55-san-diego.aspx

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.