Storage Area Networks: Designing and Implementing a Mass Storage System

Summary

The complete guide to SAN technology for every implementer and manager!

Every month, enterprises require more information, delivered faster, with greater reliability—and traditional data storage methods no longer suffice. Enter the Storage Area Network (SAN), which can store enormous amounts of data, serve it at lightning speed, scale to meet accelerating growth, and deliver unprecedented reliability. Now, there's a complete guide to SAN technology for every IT professional and decision-maker. Storage Area Networks covers it all: key concepts, components, applications, implementation examples, management, and much more. Coverage includes:

• What SANs are, what they can do, and how they overcome the critical limitations of earlier data storage systems
• Evolving to SANs: best practices for building SANs from your legacy storage topologies
• An overview of Fibre Channel, the key enabling technology for SANs
• SAN configuration, device, and connectivity options—in depth
• Well-managed SANs: day-to-day administration, backup, restore, and disaster recovery
• A detailed review of Hewlett-Packard's market-leading SAN product line: Fibre Channel chips, host bus adapters, hubs, arrays, tape libraries, bridges, switches, and more

Storage Area Networks also previews the future of SAN technology: policy-based SANs, emerging applications, and more. Whether you're considering a SAN for the first time, or you want a comprehensive management reference for the SAN you've already invested in, this book offers the insights, techniques, and guidance you need right now.