Chapter 8 - Development of Home Network Storage and Home Storage Virtualization

Abstract

This chapter explores the methods for the design of home storage networks and devices that connect to these networks and also looks at future developments for home network storage including how storage networks can be used to simplify the management of consumer devices and overall storage content in and around the home. In addition to sharing the internet, network hardware, and entertainment, there is another factor that may drive home networking and also home network storage: growing quantities of personal digital content such as digital photos, home digital movies, Quicken files, documents, letters, e-mails, and so on. Many options are available and being commercially developed for home networking including use of wired and wireless Ethernet as well as using existing home networks such as coaxial cable, phone, and power lines. The largest general uses of home networks are for media sharing and home reference data backup. A home storage network enables all the digital devices with storage that come into association with the home network to be part of a virtualized storage pool with automatic data replication, backup, remote access and sharing of content, organization and indexing of the content, and data synchronization between devices and locations. The growth of networks in the home drives the growth of network storage devices in the home.