Storage Area Network – SAN

Many of our readers started asking about their careers in networking & most of them had one motive, to become a NETWORK ADMIN. To be said SAN or Storage Area Network is a also a career in which you would be administering a part of a network setup. To be more precise Network admins would be responsible for handling, say they would handling only bytes of data. But as a SAN admin, you would be handling TERA Bytes of data. I think you better know the difference between those!

What is SAN?

A Simple definition – A storage area network (SAN) is an architecture to attach remote computer storage devices (such as disk arrays, tape libraries, and optical jukeboxes) to servers in such a way that the devices appear as locally attached to the operating system. Although the cost and complexity of SANs are dropping, they are uncommon outside larger enterprises. A SAN is a network of storage devices that are connected to each other and to a server. In some configurations a SAN is also connected to the network. It is forecast to become the data storage technology of choice in the coming years.

NAS – NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE

Network attached storage (NAS), in contrast to SAN, uses file-based protocols such as NFS or SMB/CIFS where it is clear that the storage is remote, and computers request a portion of an abstract file rather than a disk block.

Careers

There are many careers in these starting from simple HBA RAID controllers to Bit complex NAS. Finally they end up with High complex SAN systems which are employed in huge enterprises. They may sound a bit complex, maybe I said that before, But One thing if you can master these SAN devices not only you would be earning a lot it is one of the better careers to grow with.

Some SAN Manufacturers:  LSI , Promise Vtrak Systems, Adaptec

Some certification to start with –

Storage Networking Certification Program (SNCP)

The SNIA Storage Networking Certification Program (SNCP) provides a strong foundation of vendor-neutral, systems-level credentials that integrate with and complement individual vendor certifications. The structure of the SNCP has been enhanced to reflect the advancement and growth of storage networking technologies over the past few years, and to provide for expanded offerings in the future. Through evolving and enhancing the SNCP, the SNIA is establishing a uniform standard by which individual knowledge and skill sets can be judged.

* Validate your skills and knowledge

* Gain peer recognition

* Make yourself more valuable to your company

* Target and build upon the skills you have as an industry professional

For More information on how to do this certification, you can refer here

Future of SAN is Virtualization

Storage virtualization refers to the process of completely abstracting logical storage from physical storage. The physical storage resources are aggregated into storage pools, from which the logical storage is created. It presents to the user a logical space for data storage and transparently handles the process of mapping it to the actual physical location. This is currently implemented inside each modern disk array, using a vendor’s proprietary solution. However, the goal is to virtualize multiple disk arrays, made by different vendors, scattered over the network, into a single monolithic storage device, which can be managed uniformly.

For latest news in the SAN world

Any queries and comments are welcome…

Compiled by

Gobind V
Business Development Manager,
GSG