Storage Area Network

Network Topology
DAS Direct Area Storage

NAS Network Area Storage

SAN Storage Area Network

DAS
DAS
Direct-Attached Storage (DAS)
Storage connects directly to servers
Applications access data from DAS using block-
level access protocols
Examples:
Internal HDD of a host,
Tape libraries, and
Directly connected external HDD
DAS Benefits
Ideal for local data provisioning
Quick deployment for small environments
Simple to deploy
Reliability
Low capital expense
Low complexity
DAS Challenges
limited scalability
Number of connectivity ports to hosts
Number of addressable disks
Distance limitations
For internal DAS, maintenance requires
downtime
Limited ability to share resources (unused
resources cannot be easily re-allocated)
Array front-end port, storage space
Resulting in islands of over and under
utilized storage pools
Areas Where DAS Fails
Just-in-time information to business users
Integration of information infrastructure with business
processes
Flexible and resilient storage architecture
The Solution?
Storage Networking
FC SAN
NAS
IP SAN
What is a SAN ?
Dedicated high speed
network of servers and
shared storage devices
Provide block level data
access
What is a SAN ?
Resource Consolidation
Centralized storage and
management
Scalability
Theoretical limit: Appx.
15 million devices
Secure Access
Fibre Channel
Latest FC
implementations
support 16Gb/s
Fibre Channel
A high-speed network
technology that runs on
high-speed optical fiber
cables (for front-end SAN
connectivity)
Fibre Channel
and serial copper
cables (for back-end
disk connectivity)
FC SAN Evolution
Components of SAN
Three basic components:
Servers,
Network infrastructure, and
Storage,
Can be further broken down into the following key
elements:
Node Ports,
Cabling,
Interconnecting devices (such as FC switches or
hubs),
Storage arrays, and
SAN management software
Components of SAN: Node
ports
Examples of nodes
Hosts, storage and tape library
Ports are available on:
HBA in host Front-end adapters in storage
Each port has transmit (Tx) link and receive (Rx) link
HBAs perform low-level
interface functions
automatically to
minimize impact on host
performance
Components of SAN: Cabling
Copper cables for short distance
Optical fiber cables for long distance
Single-mode
Can carry single beams of light
Distance up to 10 KM
Multi-mode
Can carry multiple beams of light
simultaneously
Distance up to 500 meters
Components of SAN: Cabling
Components of SAN: Cabling
(connectors)
Node Connectors:
SC Duplex Connectors
LC Duplex Connectors

Patch panel Connectors:
ST Simplex Connectors
Components of SAN:
Interconnecting devices
Hubs
Switches and
Directors
Components of SAN: Storage
array
storage consolidation
and centralization
provides
High
Availability/Redundancy
Performance
Business
Continuity Multiple
host connect
Components of SAN: SAN
management software
A suite of tools used in a SAN to manage the
interface between host and storage arrays
Provides integrated management of SAN
environment
Web based GUI or CLI
SAN Interconnectivity Options: FC-
AL
Devices must arbitrate to gain control
Devices are connected via hubs
Supports up to 127 devices
Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL)
SAN Interconnectivity Options: FC-
SW
Dedicated bandwidth between devices
Support up to 15 million devices
Higher availability than hubs
Fabric connect (FC-SW)
IP SAN
In FC SAN transfer of block level data takes place
over Fibre Channel
Emerging technologies provide for the transfer
of block-level data over an existing IP network
infrastructure
Driver for IP SAN
Easier management
Existing network infrastructure can be leveraged
Reduced cost compared to new SAN hardware and
software
Supports multi-vendor interoperability
Many long-distance disaster recovery solutions already
leverage IP-based networks
Many robust and mature security options are available
for IP networks
Why IP?
Block Storage over IP - iSCSI
SCSI over IP
IP encapsulation
Ethernet NIC card
iSCSI HBA
Hardware-based
gateway to Fibre
Channel storage
Used to connect servers
Block Storage over IP - FCIP
Fibre Channel-to-IP
bridge / tunnel
(point to point)
Fibre Channel end
points
Used in DR
implementations
IP based protocol used to connect host and
storage
Carries block-level data over IP-based network
Encapsulate SCSI commands and transport as
TCP/IP packet
iSCSI ?
iSCSI host initiators
Host computer using a NIC or iSCSI HBA to connect to storage
iSCSI initiator software may need to be installed
iSCSI targets
Storage array with embedded iSCSI capable network port
FC-iSCSI bridge
LAN for IP storage network
Interconnected Ethernet switches and/or routers
Components of iSCSI
No FC components
Each iSCSI port on the array is configured with an IP
address and port number
iSCSI Initiators Connect directly to the Array
Bridge device translates iSCSI/IP to FCP
Standalone device
Integrated into FC switch (multi-protocol router)
iSCSI initiator/host configured with bridge as target
Bridge generates virtual FC initiator
Array provides FC and iSCSI connectivity natively
No bridge devices needed
FCIP is an IP-based storage networking technology
Combines advantages of Fibre Channel and IP
Creates virtual FC links that connect devices in a different
fabric
FCIP is a distance extension solution
Used for data sharing over geographically dispersed SAN
FCIP (Fibre Channel over
IP)?
FCIP (Fibre Channel over
IP)?









Thanks