| d for storage devices is growing by leaps and | | | | These devices are assigned an IP address and then |
| bounds. In addition there are a number of options | | | | can be accessed by clients via a server that acts as |
| available depending on specific storage requirements. | | | | a gateway to the data or in some cases allows the |
| There are numerous options available with SAN. The | | | | device to be accessed directly by the clients without |
| two most popular variants are Fibre channel (FC) and | | | | any intermediary. Easy manageability is a important |
| Internet Protocol (IP). In a FC SAN the disc arrays | | | | feature of NAS. It is focused on simple file serving |
| are connected using fibre channel connections. An FC | | | | needs. NAS and SAN are complimentary to each |
| switch acts as the central point of control for data | | | | other. The trend is towards hybrid solutions. SAN can |
| flowing through the SAN. Hence, FC or IP depends | | | | be used as a back end and NAS as the front end ie |
| upon the application. If the data is critical, Fibre | | | | having a NAS header in a SAN environment. |
| Channel is a better option. A low cost SAN is an | | | | Large organizations with enterprise networks and a |
| integrated package that includes an FC switch, | | | | wide geographical spread are opting for SAN |
| high-performance software and disc storage that can | | | | whereas small and medium businesses find NAS a |
| be hooked up to two servers. | | | | better option. In SAN there is a movement towards |
| An IP SAN uses the internet small Computer System | | | | IP because one can use the same protocol as the |
| Interface iSCSI protocol and Gigabit Ethernet over | | | | network leading to a lesser cost of implementation. |
| Cat 6 cabling to hook up disc arrays over a | | | | Growth in chassis —based SAN switches is |
| Transmission control protocol / Internet protocol | | | | faster than in the fabric switch segment because of |
| (TCP/IP) network. These SANs provide native-level | | | | SAN and storage consolidation and linking of first |
| block access and data transfer and are similar in this | | | | generation SAN islands. Also ,the need to implement |
| respect to traditional FC SANs. Essentially a customer | | | | SAN extension solutions for data replication and |
| data centre requires various transport technologies | | | | business continuity is driving the need for intelligent |
| that enable long distance connectivity in a cost | | | | multilayer SAN switches and related products. |
| effective manner. Fiber Channel is better for high | | | | Ultimately the choice between San or NAS depends |
| speed connectivity and applications such as ERP and | | | | on a number of factors. The cost of implementation, |
| databases. For a small organization IP SAN would | | | | ease of maintenance, fault tolerance and security are |
| suffice. A judicious mix of both IP and Fiber Channel | | | | some of the aspects which have to be considered |
| is required to balance cost and efficiency of storage | | | | while adapting a particular storage system. It is also |
| systems and devices. | | | | possible to have a hybrid system with both SAN and |
| NAS and SAN | | | | NAS being used simultaneously. . One fit all is no |
| NAS is a data storage mechanism where the storage | | | | longer feasible and the trend is towards a mixed bag |
| devices are connected directly to the network. | | | | of options. |