There are plenty of applications for SAN in business and large networks than need to really have a shared storage solution for any reason. These SAN options are very widely available to anyone that can afford them (usually large corporations) but some users such as schools and various other technology related needs may have SAN integrated for their uses. SANs have various capabilities that cannot be performed on a single system and provide ways to really get a large amount of systems to work in tune with each other over the same network of virtualized storage. This means that several computers can be hooked into this SAN and access the same files and have various access abilities to the files stored on the SAN.
SAN actually stands for Storage Area Network. The SAN is basically a host of several storage disks in an array that is hooked into a system that can be accessed by any computer that has the proper clearance. You can really share files between computers rather easily with an SAN. The SAN is usually set up to be integrated into the network to look like a local drive on the system which can either have access in various forms of read and write capabilities. Of course when used in a network where the computers need access but not the ability to write to the files but have a main computer with access to add files such as with a school network, the SAN could be really useful in sharing information and files needed for that environment with ease of access and use on multiple computers at the same time.
There are plenty of reasons why you would need an SAN but you can be sure to really look into the uses that they are for. If you need virtualization of large and frequently used files in your network, then you may need an SAN option. SAN availability is always up and running whenever you need it and is usually not accessible by systems that are not directly connected to your network. Those who intend on using an SAN will need to at least know how to set one up and how to troubleshoot the SAN in the event that various different problems occur and need to be remedied to regain access to the SAN. Usually an SAN will be managed by a remote server that handles all of the requests for data when distributed along a large network of users. There are specially appointed IT professionals that handle problems with SAN technology in very large applications.
Problems that are common with SAN systems are system down time and disk failure after some time of usage. Depending on the type of SAN, the storage solution that is used may be under constant strain and will eventually go bad. Many different drives used in the disk arrays for large SAN options will eventually go bad after a few years. It is important to do regular backups and possibly upgrade the SAN hardware and software even options once the time is right. The SAN options of the past cannot hold up with those of today. Although some older SAN options are still working after years of constant use, they are still much slower and are less able to really be integrated into newer systems when the actual network is upgraded. One of the other major issues is compatibility.
Compatibility Problems are common, especially when different companies offer hardware and software that are supposed to be able to work together with all major SAN options. These compatibility problems are usually manufacturer specific and many of the newer options on the market will only work with the newest connectivity options available. External storage with an SAN is a real advantage and it is very common to upgrade to a newer system and have some kind of first time problems getting it to work in conjunction with an older system or when fully replacing the old one. These compatibility issues occur every so often when the standards for the hardware and software change often.
SAN technology is very uncommon in the average home because many people do not have any real need for an SAN solution. Many average consumers do not need a high speed option to transfer and access files over their computer network and various other devices. Simple wireless area networks and external storage solutions such as flash memory and simple drives are often used instead of an SAN. SAN technology is not cheap either. Most home users would not be able to afford a complex SAN and all of the components and software needed to keep the SAN running. Not only that but a causal computer user may not know how to set one up let alone maintain a complex SAN.
The different types of remote storage and access of files on SAN is spread across several different platforms. The ATA over Ethernet or the AoE is a common but out of date type of SAN that is still used for lower need networks. DAS or the Direct Attachment Storage is often used to have access on a single computer that is accessible by other systems on a network. Storage networking spreads over so many different platforms that you could really have a hard time choosing the right one you need for your application. It is best to look into what kind of Storage Research Management that is needed and look into an SAN system that works best for you.
Benefits of SAN systems are very well known and are used every day. The single fact that the files are available throughout many different systems instantaneously without the need to switch cables or carry the medium to a new location is a very big advantage. This is a very good usage for remote storage of materials that are used constantly and can be put to work for very large corporations. Servers can be booted directly from an SAN and can easily replace the existing software on a server that has failed or has undergone a crash but still needs to be used while the repairs are being made to the server.
The disaster recovery process is much more reliable with an SAN for a large company nowadays that the distance of cable can be run from larger distances. This means that remote servers and SAN technology can now be accessed over the internet or other high speed networks without having the actual SAN in the vicinity of a business building structure in the event of a disaster. This allows the continuance of work after a large disaster such as an earthquake, building collapse or even terrorist attacks. The necessity to have faster and more accessible SAN technology has surged due to terrorist attacks on September 11th in 2001 making it possible to access the SAN after a disaster occurs outside of the actual workplace.
To be able to purchase an SAN, you will need to be able to support the newest forms of SAN technology to date and it has improved greatly from a decade ago. About a five years ago, you could expect to pay 20-25k on a one terabyte SAN. Nowadays the prices are very competitive and the price range will always be fluctuating. Leasing is available from several companies such as HP and IBM who produce some of the best SAN systems. Make sure to look into the various options available to you and to look into different options overseas and even from OEM manufacturers if you really need to save money on your remote storage solution.