Tapping your storage vendor for help implementing a SAN

I am planning to implement a SAN to integrate my E10K (5 domains) and 8 Windows 2000 servers, with EMC storage (Symmetrix) and L180 and L700 STK libaries. Who should I ask for help with this implementation -- the disk vendor or the tape vendor? Also, who should own the SAN?

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The storage vendor is the place to go. When implementing a SAN, the storage vendor will need to certify all the components connecting to their storage array. This is done to protect YOU, and your data. Connecting the servers to the Symmetrix array will require you to use EMC specific drivers for the HBAs you are using in the servers. You may also be required to use PowerPath if you want to provide for dual connectivity through the fabric. The storage vendor will make sure the revision levels of the HBA firmware, switch firmware, host driver, and array firmware are all to the required specs. The storage vendors also usually service and support the SAN fabric.

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This was first published in November 2003

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