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SAN is a method of block-based data storage in which storage devices are connected to hosts via a high-speed network to exchange data between clients, servers, and storage. It is a popular solution in data centers and large companies due to its high flexibility, performance, reliability, and scalability.
Unique features, advantages and disadvantages of SAN
- Fixed block size: Suppose a new merchandiser has sorted books by volume and stacked them on a shelf in identical sizes—400 pages each (or data blocks of 4 kilobytes each). In a SAN, data blocks can be organized into groups of different sizes for more efficient management and storage. Small blocks are more efficient for small files—and vice versa.
- Variable block size: The merchandiser was told that no one chooses books by volume, so he sorted the books by author and put the case on the shelf. The volume of the books now varies from 200 to 1200 pages (variable data block size). In SAN, you can organize variable data block sizes.
- Data in blocks: The buyer cares about the content of a book, not how it is arranged on the shelves. If he wants a new Stephen King novel, he will look for that one, not Pelevin's books. For applications and the SAN operating system, it is the data in blocks that matters, not how it is physically arranged on the storage devices.
- Independent data access: A customer can select any book (data block) on the shelf independently of the others. In a SAN, data blocks can be accessed independently of each other - so the application gets direct and fast access to the information it needs.
- SAN Management: The merchandiser analyzes sales through the accounting system and changes the layout of books to increase sales. Adds new ones, sends old ones to the warehouse, moves the most popular books to the forefront and hides the unpopular ones. In a SAN, the sysadmin and the OS can similarly manage data blocks, responding to changes in data storage needs.
Advantages of SAN:
- Block storage and sharing: Direct low-level access to data is possible without unnecessary abstractions, such as file systems. SAN is designed for servers and users to share their resources (to storage resources).
- High performance: SAN delivers excellent performance and fast data access (via Fibre Channel or iSCSI), making it ideal for demanding applications such as databases and virtualization.
- Reliability and fault tolerance: In SAN, fault tolerance mechanisms can be implemented at the hardware level (component duplication), at the software-hardware level (geo-distribution, clustering, RAID, intelligent routing systems) and at the network level (multichannel, network channel reservation, end-to-end access). You can achieve almost 100% availability 24/7/365, but only the Sith reduce everything to absolute
- Flexibility and scalability: SAN allows you to easily expand storage, add new devices, and/or scale old ones.
- Centralized management: You can manage a huge SAN centrally - without physical access to individual network nodes.
Disadvantages of SAN:
- Cost and complexity: If you are not deterred by the cost of software, hardware, and maintenance, then wait for the search and hiring of qualified specialists, deployment, and administration.
- SPoF, aka Single Point of Failure: SANs are fault-tolerant, but there is a risk of creating SPoF. For example, access to the SAN management center through a single backbone provider.
- Network dependency: Problems in the network (and its nodes) can and will affect SAN performance and availability.
- Redundancy: Sometimes SANs grow so large that the architecture becomes too complex and there is too much data to back up.
Examples of SAN usage:
- Large Enterprises: In large corporate environments where hundreds of servers and users require high-speed and centralized data storage.
- High-performance databases (DBs): SAN provides fast data access for mission-critical databases, taking business process efficiency to a new level. Plus redundancy and fast recovery.
- Virtualization: SAN is the foundation of large virtualized environments (such as VMware or Hyper-V), where virtual machine migration and load balancing are essential. Data sharing, centralized management, and high data availability are also indispensable.
- Hyperconverged Infrastructures (HCI): In infrastructures where storage, compute resources, and networking functions are combined into a single platform, a SAN can create separate storage for specific applications, while the HCI is used for general computing tasks and storage.
- Working with virtual desktops (VDI): When virtualizing desktops, where multiple clients access centralized block storage, SAN provides fast and reliable access, as well as redundancy and storage optimization.
SAN components
A SAN consists of several key components, including storage systems (typically hard disk arrays), switches, and server adapters.
- Storage: Physical devices for storing data. These can be servers, disk shelves, DAS and SSDs. There is such a thing as Unified Storage, when SSDs can simultaneously store data in block and file form, useful if you use SAN and NAS at the same time.
- Hosts: Servers or other devices that connect to the SAN to access data. Hosts can be physical devices or virtual machines.
- Host Bus Adapters (HBAs): These are physical adapters that connect to the host (usually via PCIe). The HBA provides an interface for connecting the host to the SAN using various protocols: Fibre Channel, iSCSI, or FCoE.
- Switches: Switches connect devices in a SAN. They act as intermediaries between hosts and data storage. In small networks, there may be one switch, in large and complex networks, there may be dozens.
- Cables and connectors: Patch cords and other cables for connecting servers, switches, and SDPs.
- Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS): Devices, such as an uninterruptible power supply (but there are much more complex ones, such as diesel generators), that power the infrastructure in the event of a main power outage.
- Cooling systems: Guarantee the optimal temperature of the equipment. Most often these are split systems.
- Data protection systems: Hardware storage and software for data security and preservation. For example, backup, mirroring, snapshots, and data replication.
- Management and monitoring modules: Software or hardware components for managing and monitoring a SAN. The administrator gets centralized control, performance monitoring, and network health analysis.
How can we help?
For more detailed information about the DELL PowerEdge R760 server with DDR5 4800 or the DELL PowerEdge R750 server with DDR4 3200, you can visit our SERVER SOLUTIONS website . To find out the cost of the server, click on the DELL Server Configurator link .