The rate at which information is produced and shared is growing at an astounding pace. As a result, the size, complexity—and importance—of storage systems has increased dramatically. The implementation of a Storage Area Network (SAN) allows system and storage administrators to ensure the consistent storage and retrieval of data on a network. The multipath nature of a SAN, with its characteristic one-to-many relationships between host and storage devices, provides unmatched configuration flexibility and availability, as well as the load-balancing and increased connectivity essential to the creation of a scalable network.

With its unique focus on the nuts and bolts of SAN construction and operation, Practical Storage Area Networking explores the full technology, from the more common Fibre Channel SANs to cutting edge IP SANs, and beyond. This book examines SAN design, integration, maintenance, and security, highlighting best practices for each. Its close attention to the ideal practices of SAN implementation provides SAN builders with an invaluable frame of reference that bridges the gap between concept and deployment.

Among the topics covered in Practical Storage Area Networking you will find:

• SAN project selection, logical layout, and capacity planning
• I/O requirements by SAN type
• Project modeling, including storage sizing and assessment
• Hardware and software component selection
• SAN topologies
• Configuration, zoning, and testing
• Management tools and consoles
• Event and performance monitoring
• Application integration
• Scaperformance, and feature enhancements

Packed with extensive insights and experience-based advice, Practical Storage Area Networking will help you build and deploy a successful SAN on your network.

• 1. SAN Concepts, Components, and Definition
• 2. SAN Project Selection
• 3. Project Modeling
• 4. SAN Design
• 5. SAN configuration and Testing
• 6. SAN Control and Monitoring
• 7. SAN Futures