Storage Area Network (SAN)

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Consolidate and Scale Your Storage Infrastructure

A storage area network (SAN) is a network of shared storage devices such as disk storage arrays and tape automation. The architecture of a SAN enables storage resources to be shared among multiple servers on a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Because stored data is managed on dedicated arrays, server processing power is optimized for business applications, and storage capacity can be provisioned to servers and applications according to their needs. SANs can also improve data protection, business continuity and scalability over other options such as direct attached storage (DAS). Finally, SAN storage can simplify data tiering and can lead to better resource utilization.

SANs are most often deployed using the following protocols:

	Internet SCSI (iSCSI) SAN — One or more disk storage arrays connected via 1/10Gb Ethernet switches to servers using the TCP/IP-based iSCSI standard protocol. Dell™ EqualLogic™ storage arrays, built from the ground up, to simplify the deployment and administration of consolidated storage environments such as iSCSI SAN.
	Fibre Channel (FC) SAN — One or more disk storage arrays connected via Fibre Channel switches to servers using the Fibre Channel protocol. Dell Compellent™ Storage Center™, with its cutting-edge Fluid Data™ technology for best-in-class data tiering and disaster recovery, offers Fibre Channel, Fibre Channel over Ethernet and iSCSI connectivity.
	Multiprotocol — One or more disk storage arrays, which are designed to support one or more SAN protocols (such as iSCSI, FC, Fibre Channel over Ethernet, etc.) and/or network attached storage (NAS) protocols (such as CIFS, NFS and FTP). Dell Compellent Storage Center is an example of a SAN with multiple protocol options.

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Dell AX4-5 Storage Arrays
Combining simplicity and scalability, Dell AX4-5 storage arrays deliver performance, expandability and advanced data management features in a single, easy-to-use storage solution.
Dell Compellent Copilot Support Spec Sheet
Like having a Dell Compellent expert on staff
Dell EqualLogic PS Series: Virtualize Storage Operations
Rampant data growth can create complexity, putting undue pressure on your operations and on your bottom line. Dell EqualLogic simplifies storage through standards-based design, advanced automation and extensive application integration.
Dell EqualLogic PS Series: Improve Application Performance
Looking to improve application performance and availability? Dell EqualLogic storage delivers both the efficiency of shared, networked storage AND the control to align mission-critical applications with high-performance storage media.
Virtualized Exchange 2010 Performance: Comparing Midrange Dell EqualLogic, HP LeftHand and Fibre Channel SANs
Dell commissioned Principled Technologies to compare the performance of midrange storage area network (SAN) solutions using a heavily virtualized Exchange 2010 workload.
Dell EqualLogic PS Series: Product Family Overview
High performance, 24-7 uptime, zero complexity. These are table stakes in the Efficient Enterprise, and core family values for EqualLogic storage. Meet the family.
Dell EqualLogic PS Series: Unified Storage
The Dell EqualLogic FS7500 adds highly scalable NAS capability to the PS Series product line to provide a high performance scale-out unified IP storage solution (iSCSI, CIFS, NFS).
Dell EqualLogic PS Series: Increase ROI & Minimize TCO
Some storage can surprise you with costly software licenses, maintenance contracts and upgrade fees. Dell EqualLogic SANs, however, can help reduce TCO by virtualizing storage. Here’s how.
Dell EqualLogic PS Series: Data Protection
Dell EqualLogic PS Series SANs help improve data availability and protection – as well as maximize access to enterprise data – by automating data protection operations like snapshot management, cloning and replication.
Dell EqualLogic PS Series: Business Continuity
Dell EqualLogic virtualized storage combines enterprise-class hardware redundancy, pervasive automation and the unique peer storage architecture, which helps enable around-the-clock operation with minimal administration.