Network Storage 101

Network storage refers to storage attached to your network so people, computers and the applications that live on your network can share important data.

Sometimes network storage solutions are called Storage Area Networks (SANs) or Network Attached Storage (NAS). Gartner Group refers to storage as the 3rd Pillar of Computing (along with fast computer chips and high speed network connectivity). Regardless of what people call it, the demand for high speed storage accessible to networks of people, computers and applications is exploding. Infotech Research suggests that for mid sized companies - 1/3 of companies are currently buying, 1/3 are shopping and 1/3 are researching network storage solutions.

So How does network storage work?

First compare network storage with direct attached storage (DAS). Direct attached storage is simply what the name suggests - a storage device attached directly to a computer via a cable and only that computer can access the storage device.

With network storage, one or more storage devices are connected directly to your network. This is usually done using a switch which connects the storage devices to the network so other computers connected to the network can see and access the storage devices.

What's Included in a Typical Network Storage Solution?

Solutions usually have several components - which can be sold as separate units or sold combined in various configurations - but typically include:

Disk Drives - spinning disks that store the data Disk Drive Chassis - cabinets, trays or boxes that hold and connect the disks and provide space for adding more disk drives as you store more data

Raid Controllers - these are small specialized computers that manage the complex functions of reading, writing, accessing, backing up and administering the data stored on the disks. Sometimes the raid controllers are in a separate box and are connected with cables to the disk drive chassis and other times they are in the same chassis.

Raid Controller Software - this is specialized software that runs on the raid controllers that actually performs the complex functions of reading, writing, accessing, backing up and administering the data stored on the disks

Switch - this is a router like device that connects the raid controllers to the network so that computers and users can see and access storage.