8 - Storage Network Design

Abstract

This chapter focuses on storage networking design from simple to complex and from local to wide area, and contains many lists that are used to create checklists, information worksheets, and comparison sheets for evaluating technology. Storage networks are implemented for many different applications and business needs. Storage networks can be big, small, complex, local, and wide area. Design of a storage network can be as varied as the environments and applications they will support. Storage networking design involves having clear objectives, understanding business needs, assessing resources, analyzing information, documenting the design, and implementing it. For larger storage networks, a team can be useful to divide up the assessment activities as well as to provide subject matter expertise on the topic areas. Storage networks range from a simple single storage device with dedicated point-to-point Fibre Channel connections to a few servers to those supporting hundreds to thousands of servers and storage devices.