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SAN technology and arrays

• The advantages of SAN technology in an HCI world

  Is your organization debating whether to replace its SAN with hyper-converged storage? Know the questions to ask, SAN's advantages for certain applications and more. Continue Reading

• RAID (redundant array of independent disks)

  RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is a way of storing the same data in different places on multiple hard disks or solid-state drives to protect data in the case of a drive failure. Continue Reading

• secondary storage

  Secondary storage is storage for noncritical data that will not be frequently accessed. Continue Reading

• logical unit number (LUN)

  A logical unit number (LUN) is a unique identifier for designating an individual or collection of physical or virtual storage devices that execute input/output (I/O) commands with a host computer, as defined by the Small System Computer Interface (... Continue Reading

• iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface)

  ISCSI is a transport layer protocol that describes how Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) packets should be transported over a TCP/IP network. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • RAID (redundant array of independent disks)
  • secondary storage
  • logical unit number (LUN)
  • iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface)

  • RAID 10 (RAID 1+0)
  • storage area network (SAN)
  • RAID 6 (redundant array of independent disks)
  • hard disk drive (HDD)

  View All Definitions

• NAS, SAN, or DAS? Quiz yourself on these 3 types of storage

  It's not easy to choose and deploy a data storage infrastructure system. Take this test to find out if you're ready to assess whether DAS, NAS or SAN is right for your business.Continue Reading

• RAID 10 (RAID 1+0)

  RAID 10, also known as RAID 1+0, is a RAID configuration that combines disk mirroring and disk striping to protect data.Continue Reading

• SAN vs. NAS: What are the key differences?

  Compare SAN and NAS, and find out what to consider when using each storage system format. Object storage and the cloud are also affecting the storage options that are available.Continue Reading

• storage area network (SAN)

  A storage area network (SAN) is a dedicated high-speed network or subnetwork that interconnects and presents shared pools of storage devices to multiple servers.Continue Reading

• RAID 6 (redundant array of independent disks)

  RAID 6, also known as double-parity RAID, uses two parity stripes on each disk. It allows for two disk failures within the RAID set before any data is lost.Continue Reading

• hard disk drive (HDD)

  A computer hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile memory hardware device that controls the positioning, reading and writing of the hard disk, which furnishes data storage.Continue Reading

• SSD (solid-state drive)

  An SSD (solid-state drive) is a type of nonvolatile storage media that stores persistent data on solid-state flash memory.Continue Reading

• RAID controller

  A RAID controller is a hardware device or software program used to manage hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) in a computer or storage array so they work as a logical unit.Continue Reading

• Managing NetApp CIFS shares with PowerShell

  NetApp provides a feature-rich PowerShell module to manage CIFS shares. Find out how it works, as well as how to set up a new share and establish permissions.Continue Reading

• Test yourself on Fibre Channel basics and the latest updates

  Are you up to speed on Fibre Channel? Take our quiz to find out if you know how the storage networking technology works and the latest updates.Continue Reading

• RAID levels and benefits explained

  RAID can enable better data storage performance and higher availability, and there are many different types of RAID. Read about the different levels of RAID and where they work best.Continue Reading

• race condition

  A race condition is an undesirable situation that occurs when a device or system attempts to perform two or more operations at the same time, but because of the nature of the device or system, the operations must be done in the proper sequence to be...Continue Reading

• disk array

  A disk array, also called a storage array, is a data storage system used for block-based storage, file-based storage or object storage.Continue Reading

• enterprise storage

  Enterprise storage is a centralized repository for business information that provides common data management, protection and data sharing functions through connections to computer systems.Continue Reading

• RAID 0 (disk striping)

  RAID 0 (disk striping) is the process of dividing a body of data into blocks and spreading the data blocks across multiple storage devices, such as hard disks or solid-state drives (SSDs), in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) group.Continue Reading

• NVMe over FC is happening, and it's time to prepare

  The extent to which the recently published FC-NVMe standard lowers performance latencies in Fibre Channel SANs will be interesting to watch in the coming months.Continue Reading

• What is a LUN and why do we need one?

  Logical unit numbers are a logical abstraction between a physical disk device and applications. Learn more about LUN use cases and LUN security features.Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel

  Fibre Channel is a high-speed networking technology primarily used for transmitting data among data centers, computer servers, switches and storage at data rates of up to 128 Gbps.Continue Reading

• storage virtualization

  Storage virtualization is the pooling of physical storage from multiple storage devices into what appears to be a single storage device -- or pool of available storage capacity -- that is managed from a central console.Continue Reading

• gigabyte

  A gigabyte -- pronounced with two hard Gs -- is a unit of data storage capacity that is roughly equivalent to 1 billion bytes.Continue Reading

• Storage Spaces Direct requirements you need to know about

  Microsoft's architecture uses commodity hardware to create highly available, software-defined storage. But success depends on following the vendor's rules and recommendations.Continue Reading

• RAID 5

  RAID 5 is a redundant array of independent disks configuration that uses disk striping with parity.Continue Reading

• hard disk

  A hard disk is part of a unit -- often called a disk drive, hard drive or hard disk drive -- that stores and provides relatively quick access to large amounts of data on an electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces.Continue Reading

• storage medium (storage media)

  In computers, a storage medium is any technology -- including devices and materials -- used to place, keep and retrieve electronic data.Continue Reading

• bad block

  A bad block is an area of storage media that is no longer reliable for storing and retrieving data because it has been physically damaged or corrupted.Continue Reading

• AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface)

  Advanced Host Controller Interface, or AHCI, is a technical standard for an interface that enables software to communicate with Serial ATA (SATA) devices.Continue Reading

• Top five solid-state, cloud storage tips of 2017

  In 2017, SearchStorage readers cared most about SSD lifespan, 3D XPoint technology and the difference between SAN and NAS. Check out our most-read articles of the year here.Continue Reading

• block storage

  Block storage is an approach to data storage in which each storage volume acts as an individual hard drive that is configured by the storage administrator. In the block storage model, data is saved to the storage media in fixed-sized chunks called ...Continue Reading

• SATA Express (SATAe)

  SATA Express (SATAe or Serial ATA Express) is a bus interface to connect storage devices to a computer motherboard, supporting SATA and PCI Express protocols simultaneously.Continue Reading

• Get ready for Gen 6 Fibre Channel technology

  Some think Fibre Channel will go the way of the dodo thanks to Ethernet, but the evolution of flash will cause companies to make the leap to 32-gig FC eventually.Continue Reading

• hybrid hard drive (HHD)

  A hybrid hard drive (HHD), sometimes known as a solid-state hybrid drive (SSHD), is a mass storage device that combines a conventional hard disk drive and a NAND flash module.Continue Reading

• Secure Digital card (SD card)

  SD cards use flash memory to provide nonvolatile storage. They are more rugged than traditional storage media and are used in more portable storage media.Continue Reading

• flash memory card

  Flash storage memory cards use nonvolatile semiconductor memory to store pictures, audio and video data on portable and remote devices.Continue Reading

• partition

  Partitioning a hard disk drive is the first step in preparing it for data storage. A disk partition is a carved out logical space used to manage operating systems and files.Continue Reading

• Serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or SATA)

  The SATA storage protocol transmits data in serial fashion between hard drives and computer systems. The nonprofit SATA-IO industry consortium authors the design specification.Continue Reading

• parity

  Parity is a method of detecting errors in data transmissions between computers, while parity bit and parity checking are used in RAID technology to guard against data loss.Continue Reading

• storage volume

  A definition of volume must include a comparison of the unit of data storage to a partition, as well as insight into logical volume management, a form of storage virtualization.Continue Reading

• SAN array buyers think capacity first

  Databases and support for virtual servers are the main use cases for new SAN arrays.Continue Reading

• iSCSI initiator

  An iSCSI initiator is software or hardware that enables a host computer to transmit data to an iSCSI-based storage array through a network adapter over a TCP-based IP network.Continue Reading

• Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) adapter

  An iSCSI adapter is a network interface card that enables the transmission of data between host computers and iSCSI-based storage arrays and typically handles the TCP/IP processing.Continue Reading

• HDD form factor (hard disk drive form factor)

  HDD form factor is the size or geometry of a hard disk drive, determining the device’s compatibility with the drive bays in a storage array or enclosure, server, portable computer or other computing device.Continue Reading

• shingled magnetic recording (SMR)

  Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a technique for writing data to disk drives in partially overlapping tracks to boost areal density and overall capacity.Continue Reading

• hardware RAID (hardware redundant array of independent disk)

  Hardware RAID is a form of RAID where processing is done externally.Continue Reading

• software RAID (software redundant array of independent disk)

  Software RAID is a form of RAID (redundant array of independent disks) performed on the internal server.Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel director (FC director)

  A Fibre Channel (FC) director is a modular, chassis-based, high port-count switch that connects servers, switches and storage in a dedicated FC storage area network (SAN).Continue Reading

• SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)

  Definition: The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is a set of parallel interface standards used to attach disk drives and other peripherals to a computer.Continue Reading

• redundant

  Redundancy can have several meanings, but commonly refers to spare hardware that is kept online or to duplicate data.Continue Reading

• host bus adapter (HBA)

  A host bus adapter (HBA) provides physical connectivity and input/output between a server and a network and/or storage device.Continue Reading

• Dell EqualLogic

  Dell EqualLogic storage-area network arrays provide varying capacities of hard disk drives and solid-state drives using iSCSI and SATA controllers.Continue Reading

• How to compare software-defined storage vendors

  Software-defined storage vendor options keep growing. Expert George Crump sees the emergence of two distinct categories and notes products in each area.Continue Reading

• IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)

  Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) refers to the integration of the controller and drive.Continue Reading

• disk striping

  Disk striping divides data into blocks and spreads the blocks across hard disks or solid-state drives to accelerate read and write access.Continue Reading

• serial-attached SCSI (SAS)

  Serial-attached SCSI (SAS) is a point-to-point protocol used to transfer digital data between servers and SAS storage devices.Continue Reading

• areal density

  Areal density measures the amount of data that can be stored on a given amount of physical space on a disk drive.Continue Reading

• SAN switch (storage area network switch)

  A storage area network (SAN) switch is a device that connects servers and shared pools of storage devices and is dedicated to moving storage traffic.Continue Reading

• iSCSI switch (Internet Small Computer System Interface switch)

  An iSCSI switch is an appliance that processes and channels data between an iSCSI initiator and target on a storage device.Continue Reading

• IP SAN (Internet Protocol storage area network)

  An IP SAN is a dedicated storage area network (SAN) that allows multiple servers to access pools of shared block storage devices using storage protocols that depend on the Internet Engineering Taskforce standard Internet Protocol suite.Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel switch (FC switch)

  A Fibre Channel switch is a networking device that is compatible with the Fibre Channel (FC) protocol and designed for use in a dedicated storage area network (SAN).Continue Reading

• Kryder's Law

  Kryder's Law describes the rate at which former Seagate CTO Mark Kryder predicted disk drive density would grow.Continue Reading

• RAID 2

  RAID 2 is a technique that stripes data at the bit level using a Hamming code to detect errors.Continue Reading

• RAID 3 (redundant array of independent disks)

  RAID 3 is a RAID configuration that uses striping and parity, but it uses a parity disk to store the parity information generated by a RAID controller instead of striping it with the data.Continue Reading

• RAID 4 (redundant array of independent disks)

  RAID 4 is a RAID configuration that uses a dedicated parity disk and block-level striping across multiple disks.Continue Reading

• RAID 50 (RAID 5+0)

  RAID 50, also known as RAID 5+0, combines distributed parity (RAID 5) with striping (RAID 0).Continue Reading

• RAID 7 (redundant array of independent disks)

  RAID 7 is a trademarked RAID level owned by the now defunct Storage Computer Corp. It is a non-standard RAID level that requires proprietary hardware.Continue Reading

• Hyper-V Virtual Fibre Channel

  Virtual Fibre Channel is a feature in Microsoft Hyper-V 3.0 that lets virtual machines (VMs) connect directly to Fibre Channel (FC)-based storage by using a standard World Wide Name (WWN) associated with a VM.Continue Reading

• multipathing (SAN multipathing)

  Multipathing, also called SAN multipathing or I/O multipathing, is the establishment of multiple physical routes between a server and the storage device that supports it. Continue Reading

• LUN management

  LUN management is the process of assigning, provisioning and overseeing logical unit numbers (LUNs) across a storage environment.Continue Reading

• spindle

  A spindle is a shaft that holds rotating hard disk drive (HDD) platters in place. The term is also often used to refer to a single HDD.Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL)

  A Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) is a high-speed Fibre Channel (FC) topology that can connect up to 126 ports on one controller using a one-way loop or hub design.Continue Reading

• bit rot

  Bit rot is the slow deterioration in the performance and integrity of data stored on storage media. It is also known by the names bit decay, data rot, data decay and silent corruption.Continue Reading

• Examining the future of the RAID volume

  Expert Jon Toigo provides a set of tips to answer key questions regarding RAID's place in today's storage world, and whether it will be replaced.Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel adapter

  A Fibre Channel (FC) adapter is a hardware component that provides connectivity from a server to a storage area network (SAN).Continue Reading

• data retention

  Data retention, also called records retention, is the continued storage of an organization's data for compliance or business reasons. Continue Reading

• SATA controller

  A SATA controller handles how hard drives are connected to a computer's motherboard.Continue Reading

• Server SAN infrastructure model of Google, Facebook poised to spread

  Wikibon senior analyst predicts that the server SAN infrastructure model of Google, Facebook, Amazon could spread to enterprise IT, service providers.Continue Reading

• hot plug

  Hot plug is the addition of a component to a running computer system without significant interruption to the operation of the system.Continue Reading

• soft zoning

  Soft zoning is used to allocate resources and control access in a storage-area network (SAN).Continue Reading

• Express Bay

  Express Bay is an externally accessible storage slot that is designed to accept a high-performance PCI Express (PCIe) solid-state drive (SSD),Continue Reading

• hard zoning

  Hard zoning is used to allocate resources and control access in a storage-area network (SAN).Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA)

  The Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA) is an international organization whose goal is to help its members promote Fibre Channel (FC) technology.Continue Reading

• SCSI controller (Small Computer System Interface controller)

  A SCSI controller, also called a host bus adapter (HBA), is a card or chip that allows a SCSI storage device to communicate with the operating system across a SCSI bus.Continue Reading

• hot spare

  A hot spare, also called a hot standby, is a backup component that can be placed into service immediately when a primary component fails. Continue Reading

• SAN and NAS storage trends include software-defined storage, flash

  Forrester Research analyst Henry Baltazar predicts the top SAN and NAS storage trends over the next five years.Continue Reading

• FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet)

  FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet) is a storage protocol that enable Fibre Channel communications to run directly over Ethernet. FCoE makes it possible to converges storage and IP protocol traffic onto a single cable transport and interface.Continue Reading

• What you need to know about improving iSCSI performance

  Storage expert Dennis Martin discusses how technologies like Data Center Bridging, CHAP, IPsec and iSCSI offload adapters affect iSCSI performance.Continue Reading

• 2011 Storage Products of the Year

  These 18 enterprise data storage products rank as the best of 2011 and stand out because of their innovation, practicality and good value.Continue Reading

• Brocade Communications Systems Inc. 1860 Fabric Adapter

  The Brocade 1860 Fabric Adapter can partition individual physical adapters into as many as 16 virtual HBAs or virtual NICs with flexible bandwidth allocation.Continue Reading

• Brocade Communications Systems Inc. 6510 SAN Switch

  The Brocade 6510 SAN Switch has industry-first 16 Gbps Fibre Channel (FC) support, flexible port configuration and full-duplex 768 Gbps aggregate port throughput.Continue Reading

• converged network adapter (CNA)

  A converged network adapter (CNA) is a single network interface card (NIC) that contains both a Fibre Channel (FC) host bus adapter (HBA) and a TCP/IP Ethernet NIC.Continue Reading

• storage capacity planning

  The goal of storage capacity planning is to predict how much storage an organization will require so that just enough disk space can be purchased to meet the needs of users and applications.Continue Reading

• virtual LUN or thin LUN

  A virtual LUN (virtual logical unit number) is a representation of a storage area that is not tied to any physical storage allocation. Virtual LUNs are used in thin provisioning (also known as virtual provisioning) for storage area network (SAN) ...Continue Reading

• LUN zoning

  LUN zoning is a method of configuring SAN fabric to match logical unit numbers (LUNs) to the proper servers. As a rule, end devices such as hosts can only see and access storage within their zone. Limiting access in this way improves security and ...Continue Reading

• LUN masking

  LUN masking is a further constraint added to zoning, subdividing access to the port so that only LUNs authorized to access a specific server can access the corresponding port.Continue Reading

• virtual storage area network (VSAN)

  A virtual storage area network (VSAN) is a logical partition in a storage area network (SAN). VSANs allow traffic to be isolated within specific portions of a storage area network.Continue Reading

• World Wide Name (WWN)

  A World Wide Name (WWN) is a unique identifier that is assigned to a manufacturer by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and hard-coded into a Fibre Channel (FC) device.Continue Reading