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Table of contents
There are two main types of IP SANs:
Key features and benefits of IP SANs include:
foreword
This chapter will explain the common storage types in cloud computing
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1. Storage type
The storage devices on the live network provide the resource base for the realization of storage virtualization.
Common storage types are:
- Local Disk
- THE
- NAS
- SAN
1. Local Disk
The local disk in the cloud computing virtualization scenario refers to the use of the local disk resource of the server, which is provided to the virtualization platform for use after RAID (disk array).
Advantages and disadvantages:
- easy to use
- no shared framework
- There is no backup, redundancy mechanism for cross-server
2.THE
DAS (Direct-Attached Storage) direct-attached storage: a storage device directly connected to the server using the storage space architecture.
DAS provides block-level storage services for servers.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- Merge multiple disks into one logical disk to meet the needs of mass storage
- Separation of application data and operating system can be achieved
- Can improve access performance
- easy to implement
- The server has failed and the data is inaccessible
3.NAS
NAS (Network Attached Storage) Network Attached Storage: A technology that integrates distributed and independent data and centralizes management for access to different hosts and application servers.
NAS connects storage devices to existing networks to provide data and file services.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- Supports advanced features such as snapshots
- centralized storage
- Provide a secure integrated environment (user authentication and authorization)
- low transfer rate
- High upfront installation and equipment costs
4.SAN
SAN (Storage Area Networks) Storage Area Network: It is a high-speed network dedicated to storage operations, usually independent of the computer LAN.
It provides data transmission between the host and the storage system, and the data transmission rate within the network is fast.
Common architectures include FC SAN and IP SAN.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- High storage capacity utilization
- high compatibility
- Long transmission distance
- high bandwidth
- Host and storage devices can be expanded independently
- costly and complex
（1）FC SAN
FC SAN stands for "Fibre Channel Storage Area Network". It is a high-speed, dedicated network infrastructure that supports the transfer of data between servers and storage devices such as storage arrays and tape libraries.
Key features and benefits of FC SAN include:
- High performance: Fiber Channel provides high data transfer rates, low latency, and minimal network overhead, making it ideal for applications
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Low Latency: FC SAN has low latency to ensure fast response time for data-intensive applications.
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Dedicated network: FC SAN is independent of Ethernet LAN, preventing network congestion and maintaining consistent performance for storage traffic.
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Scalability: FC SAN can be easily expanded by adding more storage devices or switches to accommodate the growing storage needs of the organization.
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Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE): Some modern FC SANs support FCoE, which allows Fiber Channel traffic to be transported over an Ethernet network, simplifying network infrastructure and reducing costs.
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Data Security: Fiber Channel enhances data security by providing features such as zoning and LUN masking, which allow administrators to control access to specific storage resources.
(2) IP SAN (commonly used)
IP SAN stands for "Internet Protocol Storage Area Network". It is a storage networking solution that uses Internet Protocol (IP) to transfer data between servers and storage devices such as disk arrays and tape libraries. IP SANs are based on standard Ethernet networks and utilize the widely adopted TCP/IP protocol suite to facilitate storage communications.
There are two main types of IP SANs:
- iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface): iSCSI is a popular IP SAN protocol that encapsulates SCSI commands in IP packets, allowing servers to access remote storage over standard Ethernet. iSCSI uses TCP/IP as its transport protocol and runs over TCP port 3260 .
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IP-based NAS (Network Attached Storage): Although NAS is not usually considered a traditional SAN, it is another form of IP-based storage. NAS devices typically provide file-level access to storage over a network using the Network File System (NFS) or Server Message Block (SMB) protocols.
Key features and benefits of IP SANs include:
- Cost-effective: IP SANs are often more cost-effective than Fiber Channel SANs because they use standard Ethernet hardware and do not require dedicated Fiber Channel equipment.
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Leverage Existing Infrastructure: Because IP SANs use Ethernet, organizations can leverage their existing network infrastructure, making deployment and management easier.
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Simplicity: Configuring an IP SAN can be relatively simple, especially when compared to a Fiber Channel SAN, which can require more specialized skills and expertise.
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Scalability: IP SAN can be easily expanded by adding more storage devices or network switches to meet the growing storage needs of the organization.
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Flexibility: IP SANs can be used in a variety of environments, from small businesses to large enterprises, and can be integrated into virtualized environments.
Summarize:
Local disk: the most common storage
Local disks are suitable for many scenarios, such as personal computers, workstations, desktop servers, and some small business servers . Local disks are ideal for applications that require fast data access, lower cost, and less complexity. However, its main limitations are limited storage capacity, not easy data sharing and remote access, and data backup and failure recovery can be more challenging to deal with than network storage. In scenarios that require large-capacity storage, data sharing, and high availability, network storage solutions (such as NAS or SAN) are usually selected.
DAS: local area network, small-scale use
DAS is typically used in small to medium businesses and specific use cases where simplicity and low latency are critical. Examples include standalone workstations, entry-level servers, and some direct-attached storage devices. However, as organizations grow, they may choose more scalable and centralized storage solutions such as NAS or SAN to meet their expanding storage needs and enable data sharing among multiple servers .
NAS: Large scale, shared directory file system, low transfer rate
NAS is commonly used in home networks , small and medium businesses (SMBs), and even for specific use cases in some enterprise environments. It's an excellent choice for file storage, media streaming, and backup purposes, where simplicity and ease of use are important considerations. However, for applications requiring block-level storage access or high-performance requirements, other solutions such as SAN (storage area network) or DAS (direct-attached storage) may be more suitable.
SAN: Large-scale network, many devices, fast transmission rate
SANs are commonly used in large enterprises , data centers, and other environments where high performance, scalability, and data availability are critical. They are ideal for virtualized environments, databases, business-critical applications, and scenarios requiring consolidated, shared, and high-performance storage resources. However, SANs can be more complex to set up and manage than NAS or DAS solutions, and they can involve higher costs due to special hardware and networking requirements.
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