You have been expecting that you are going to find the right storage area network that can provide all of your data requirements. Your expectations let you dream big – unimaginable speeds of operation, invulnerable security, and easy management.
But the fact is that the modern SAN solutions allow for providing all of the above and much more. It is also important that the right storage makes data dreams come true.
Let’s dive in and look at 11 features that will make your data storage dreams come true.
1. Meet the Magic of High Speeds
Are you frustrated to see data just crawling along? The current generation of SANs offers high I/O capability through large bandwidth, minimal latency, and concurrent access. Modern SANs eliminate bottlenecks for storage networking through the availability of separate connections for traffic away from the regular traffic. This way, you get the chance to enjoy as many astonishing data speeds as you need to complete different tasks. Disk and flash SAN models go beyond the traditional tradeoff of storage technology.
2. Embrace Bulletproof Data Guardians
Nobody wants to experience a data mishap that he or she never foresaw. These new SANs offer enhanced protection with the inbuilt capability of backing up and even if one storage system fails, it is replaced automatically. Spanning from RAID protection against disk failures to auto backups, SANs are all-encompassing. The use of active-active controller configurations, mirrored caching and disk hot-swapping guarantee the success of an uptime.
3. Unity Through Consolidation
Drowning in storage systems? The SAN centralization approach means that instead of having many separate storage appliances that are managed independently, the SAN consolidates and works as a single entity. It minimizes the hardware mess and distinct little worlds where data resides.
4. Virtualization Without Limits
Finally tired of static non-adjustable archives? The current virtualized SAN structures obviate partitions. This allows for corporate-level performance to be achieved for all sorts of tasks from database handling to video editing. Supersharp performance boosts virtual machines whilst thin provisioning boosts efficiency. Storage tiering simply transfers data between media types. Moreover, non-disruptive scaling enables environments to naturally scale. The current virtualization has rendered SAN storage especially elastic. Increase the ceiling that is available for your capabilities.
5. Exchange Of Data In A Flawless Manner Between Different Facilities
A situation where you require transferring information beyond the office space? It does not pose any issue to today’s extended SAN clusters that can dynamically exchange data over metro and wide area connections. Synchronous mirroring helps to replicate data in real-time to another location, which provides an effective disaster recovery solution in distant facilities. Storage global namespaces help to handle distributed capacity more efficiently.
6. Analytics Offer Keen Insights
Have you been flying data storage blind? Not anymore – integrated SAN analytics provide no-compromises visibility. Figure: At-a-glance dashboards track capacity usage patterns to prevent ‘bad’ surprise – shortfalls. Smart diagnostics also work to track the health of a drive and it’s as granular as disks. While workload analytics identify overloaded components, workload optimization identifies the most potent parts. From disks to controllers, fresh AI analytics untangle how storage functions. Eliminate uncertainties and manage SAN with ease by analyzing what is truly happening behind the scenes.
7. Simplified Anywhere Management
SAN management consoles set storage in one place as they enable you to manage vast capacity from any location. With automated and template-based processes and an interface that is simple to understand, life is made easier through workflow automation for faster provisioning. Open APIs and the RESTful approach of interoperability also facilitate its integration. And cloud-based analytics encompass system-level views.
8. Viva Part Ways With Capacity Limits
Designed grid architecture for additional RAM, SSD, expansion cages, and expansion nodes allows systems to expand organically. It also increases volumes when the width is increased and the striping is wider. Some SAN models can even federate dispersed resources at the federal level to seem like one has virtually inexhaustible capacity. Today’s SANs are scalable and can be extended with modern scalability tactics to address the big data needs of tomorrow.
9. Defense In Layers
Anti-virus and Firewall protection prevents the infiltration of malware and unauthorized changes in firmware and the encryption of data helps protect data that is stored. User-specific access controls further reduce the extent of visibility to only show the permitted volumes. They are intelligent network guards, enhanced access auditing, and data shredding/ purging, and all these necessitate proactive protection solutions at scale. Modern SAN security is proactive, multilayered, and focused on maintaining consistent operations in the face of internal and external threats. Sleep soundly without worrying about the dark.
10. Cut Ties With Capacity Constraints
Ever wished that your SAN would grow as big as possible all at once? The last choices compel through different variable scaling methods that eliminate previous capacity limitations. The modularity of the grid architecture for additional memory, SSD drives, extension shelves, and nodes is useful for conscious gradual growth. Extra volumes are also obtained from wide striping. Some SAN models even federally consolidate separated resources to nearly boundless capacity. Using contemporary scale-up strategies, SANs are designed to grow into frameworks of the future ready to support “big data”.
11. Harmonize Diverse Environments
This multiple-protocol integration is much cheaper than using proprietary arrays, while also improving versatility. Data services such as snapshot copies, cloning, and replication bring together composite systems that are otherwise disparate. Why allow OS barriers to make storage interoperability a complex issue to solve? Technological advancement in SAN solutions provides the forward-looking linkage between islands that allow congruent data exchange. Integrate and consolidate data that has been fragmented for too long.
In Closing
From the acceleration of the application lightning application to the enhanced capability to share data regardless of distance and platform, new SAN capability now enables IT architects to integrate infrastructure for the future. The next rule is to leave behind the problems related to storage that have been experienced in the past. Today, next-generation data services are available from leading SAN providers who can deliver unified solutions that can meet even higher goals. More than you believe: learn how the latest SAN technologies turn dreams into realities of data storage.