| tart --> | | | | nothing but disks for storing data) that can still be |
| The acronyms are mirrored, and each shares two | | | | accessed by users through file and application |
| words - network and storage. However, NAS and | | | | servers. The SSR212MA can make all storage devices |
| SAN differ greatly in design and implementation, and | | | | available to all servers on an LAN or wide-area |
| therefore represent distinct solutions in terms of | | | | network (WAN). When storage devices are added to |
| what Intel® data storage system is right for | | | | the Intel® SAN server, they can be accessed |
| certain business applications. | | | | from any server on the network. In addition, storage |
| Safe and efficient data handling is a necessary | | | | capacity can be added to the SAN storage system |
| measure for a business that wants to implement a | | | | as needed without intrusion on the corporate |
| successful storage and backup plan. Intel® has | | | | network. The Intel® server is a bridge between |
| developed several storage solutions with that in mind. | | | | the stored data and the end user. |
| One is not necessarily better than the other; the | | | | Therefore, the differences between a NAS and a |
| preferred storage method simply depends on a | | | | SAN can be highlighted in their main benefits. |
| company's needs and existing infrastructure. Today | | | | A primary benefit of Intel's SSR212MA SAN Storage |
| the functionality of a NAS and SAN are very similar; | | | | Server is that it provides an effective disaster |
| however, there are specific technical differences. The | | | | recovery plan. A SAN can replicate data belonging to |
| primary technical differences between a NAS and a | | | | many servers to a secondary storage array, which |
| SAN are: | | | | can be accessed locally or remotely. Although more |
| A NAS identifies data by file name and byte offsets, | | | | expensive NAS devices have data replication |
| transfers file data or file meta-data (file's owner, | | | | functionality the SS4000-E NAS does not. Sharing |
| permissions, creation data, etc.), and handles security, | | | | storage adds flexibility because cables and storage |
| user authentication, file locking. | | | | devices do not have to be physically moved for data |
| A SAN addressesidentifies data by disk block number | | | | storage to go from one server to another. |
| and transfers raw disk blocks typically via SCSI calls. | | | | Furthermore, the Intel® SAN Storage Server |
| When looking at the two Intel® storage | | | | features industry-standard hardware architectures |
| networking solutions, the benefits of both NAS and | | | | and management tools to further lower the cost of |
| SAN show marked distinctions. | | | | SAN systems. Because of this, IP (Internet Protocol) |
| First, a NAS consists of a storage device or | | | | SANs such as this Intel® server are now within |
| combination of multiple storage devices connected to | | | | reach of most companies. |
| the existing local-area network (LAN). A NAS serves | | | | The benefits of Intel's SS4000-E NAS Storage |
| to offload the company's valuable data to a | | | | Solution include methods to protect, manage, and |
| dedicated storage location that is still readily | | | | share information. The device allows end users to |
| accessible by file and application servers via the | | | | access the same set of files over the common |
| corporate LAN. A typical NAS solution consists of a | | | | corporate network. Data sharing is done quickly and |
| server dedicated to file sharing over the network | | | | easily while maintaining the security of having a |
| with a TCP/IP connection. Intel's SSR212MA NAS | | | | separate storage device. The cost of NAS devices, |
| Storage Solution device allows for more hard disk | | | | such as the SS4000-E, has dropped recently and their |
| storage space to be added to a network that | | | | growing storage sizes are appealing to small business |
| already utilizes main servers for other applications. | | | | as a part of their data backup plans. As an added |
| The Intel® device delivers the data to the user | | | | benefit, because the SS4000-E NAS Storage Solution |
| over the existing LAN. It is not necessary for the | | | | is always available online, backed up data is available |
| Intel® device to be located within a particular | | | | for restores at LAN speeds without the need to |
| server. It can exist anywhere on a LAN along with | | | | locate the correct tape. Complete and advanced data |
| multiple NAS devices. | | | | protection is provided through support for RAID |
| In contrast, a SAN consists of storage devices which | | | | Levels 10, 5 and 1. |
| are networked together (historically via a high-speed | | | | In summary, for a business to implement an operable |
| fiber backbone) separately from the existing | | | | storage and backup design, it must concentrate on |
| corporate LAN. Intel's SSR212MA SAN Storage | | | | safely and efficiently handling its data. Although one |
| Server's primary method to attach to the storage is | | | | Intel® storage networking solution is not |
| iSCSI. This is a more interoperable and cost-effective | | | | necessarily better than the other, each possesses |
| solution. In short, a SAN is a high-speed sub-network | | | | obvious distinctions. |
| of shared storage devices (machines that contain | | | | |