Storage Area Network

Storage Are Network also referred to as SAN, is a high speed special purpose network or a sub network that connects various data storage devices associated with data servers on behalf of a larger network of users. Usually, a storage area network is a component of the complete network of computing resources for an organization. A storage area network is generally gathered in close proximity to other computing resources; however they may also extend to remote locations for backup and archival storage, using wide area network carrier technologies such as ATM or SONET.

SAN can be enumerated as a dedicated network that renders access to combined, block level data storage. SAN’s are mainly used to develop storage devices, such as disk arrays, tape libraries, and optical jukeboxes that are accessible to servers. A SAN usually has its own network of storage devices that are commonly not accessible through the local area network by other devices. A SAN does not deliver file abstraction but only performs block-level operations.