• The up-to-the-minute SAN guide for every decision-maker
• Concepts, standards, applications, vendors, ROI, and much more
• Planning, design, architecture, deployment, testing, performance, maintenance, and more
• In-depth coverage of SAN applications in high-availability mission-critical systems
• IP-based SANs and other emerging technologies
• Reliable, cost-effective SANs: an up-to-the-minute briefing for every decision-maker.

SANs enable companies to manage accelerating amounts of data far more effectively, but their reputation for complexity has deterred many companies from deploying them. Now, there's a readable, up-to-the-minute guidebook designed to help business and IT professionals understand SAN technology, make intelligent decisions, and derive maximum business advantage from SANs—starting right now. Leading network consultant John Vacca covers the entire SAN lifecycle, from planning and strategy to implementation and day-to-day administration. Coverage includes:

• SANs: what they are and what they offer
• Debunking the Top 5 SAN myths
• Comparing today's leading approaches: advantages, disadvantages, and tradeoffs
• The SAN vendor community-including the newest SAN service providers
• IP-based SANs and other emerging standards—and what they mean to you
• Practical techniques for cost-justifying, planning, and designing SANs
• Maximizing scalability and availability
• In-depth deployment coverage: installation, testing, rollout, and performance certification
• Day-to-day management and maintenance
• Next-generation SAN applications—including virtual SANs for mission-critical Web applications
• 6 valuable appendices: product lists, vendor lists, streaming SAN case study, and much more

Storage has never been more critical to your success—and by 2005 it may account for up to 70% of your IT budget. No storage technology offers more promise than SANs. Now's the time to understand them, and this is the book: The Essential Guide to Storage Area Networks.

Table of Contents

Foreword.
Introduction.

1. Overview of SANs Technology.
2. Designing SANs.
3. Planning for SANs.
4. Installing and Deploying SANs.
5. Maintaining the SANs.
6. SAN Solutions and Future Directions.
7. Appendices.

Conventions.
Acknowledgments.