In this post, we will explain various Advantages and Disadvantages of SAN (Storage Area Network) | Drawbacks & Benefits of SAN (Storage Area Network). At the end of this article, you fully aware about all pros and cons of using SAN.
Storage Area Network (SAN) is newest technology that allows to data storage internally the network. This network constructed with using of network switches, fiber optic cables, servers, and storage devices.
In which, all storage devices connect with each other via network switches, and for making connection to use optical fibers. And due to this, SAN’s data transmission rate very high.
Advantages of SAN (Storage Area Network)
Here, we will spread light on various benefits of SAN (Storage Area Network); below explain each one –
Highly Protective Data
Storage area network (SAN) is optimum solution for keeping your sensitive data, because users are capable to easily implement several types of security measures over the SAN. For example, virtual SAN allows to isolate the users, organizations, and departments. Your entire data gets protected on the SAN (Storage Area Network).
Fastest Speed of Data Transmission
If, Users are getting to worry with slow data transmission rate to storage network and storage devices, then SAN is also best solution, because storage area network technology uses the fiber optic for transferring data, and it has ability to transfer data along with up to 5 Gbps. At present, it is latest fastest data transfer network technologies.
Having Fault Tolerance
Storage Area Network (SAN) provides the automatic continuous network operations without getting any worrying, if one or couple of server gets halt or offline. It is capable to automatic traffic rerouting function and built in redundancy while getting to server failure conditions.
As a result, your SAN will always ready to perform all tasks. This dynamic failover protection is getting to handy, when user requires to do maintenance work on any types of servers.
Centralized Backup Process
Storage area network has ability to store data at the block level. And, all data also present in SAN as centralized fashion. That means, entire data can automatically replicated and hold on center location.
Due to any circumstances, if server gets halt or offline in the network, then other nearby servers grab all control and stabilize the data load, and a final output, the all data transfer over the storage area network flow uninterrupted.
Less Expensive and Fastest Backup System
You are already known that SAN technology implements a centralized backup process. Entire data backup can get automate with using of centralized backup technology. So, entire data of your storage network gets to automatically backed up instantly.
Better Disk Management
Other benefits of SAN is well disk management, because whole storage arrays get link through centralized storage network. As a result, you are able to manage individually and allot the storage at the network level to the specific server when it requires.
Without storage area network, for inserting huge data in server, you need multiple individual storage disks and feed them in server one by one. But, with using of storage area network encounters all those issues in the disk management.
Disaster Recovery System
With using of SAN, you have better solution for industry leading disaster recovery systems. Storage area network is a secondary storage array that you have to ensure easier and fastest data backup. So, if some time disaster gets then you have option for backup of your precious data. Along with, it can also easily recover when it needs.
Better Redundancy
Storage Area Network’s designs use in such technology that these are never get halt or failure. SAN technology enables with many failsafe solutions for securing your data. And as a result, you are eligible all time for getting to access data and application for small or large companies.
Storage area network enabled with top notch algorithm for data security. So, due to this techniques your precious data always protected and consistent.
As Big Data Center Owners
Storage Area Network has various features that you can say it is optimum solution for data center like as better security, failsafe, fast, and requires low power for getting to operate. So SAN is a better addition to big data center of organizations.
Storage Administration
Storage Area Network allow to save you from several hassle as well as saving your precious time. Simply, SAN gets to simplify storage administration from the ground up.
Easier Link or Unlink Storage Devices
Storage Area Network allows to add or remove any storage devices any time as per your need. So, you are capable to enhance or decrease of your storage space to your storage network anytime without getting any interruption the entire functionality on the server. Users do not need to reset or stop server while adding or removing any storage space.
Work as Single Entity
All servers get linking through network switches, then you do not need to move storage devices from one server to another physically. But you need to assign new storage space from one server to another, then SAN works as single entity.
Never Bandwidth Bottleneck
In Storage Area Network, entire data are holding over the SAN, so all resources of servers and storage devices are always available with the system. And due to this, user never faces any bandwidth bottlenecks in Storage Area Network.
Disadvantages of SAN
There are various limitations of SAN (Storage Area Network); below explain each one:
Also Read: Storage Area Network with Components, Types, and Examples
More Expensive
If, you want to operate Storage Area Network system, then you will need to pay huge amount of money because it gets to enable with industry-leading data storage and transfer facility. But, your running small type of business then it can be more costly for you, so you can opt to another cost effective solution.
High Maintenance
At the every time, SAN is not best option; because it is designed to control enlarge number of costlier servers. With the using of SAN, you would be maintaining few servers at time then it can get unnecessary expense. In this stage, you can choose other solutions.
Impact Privacy
We know very well that SAN offer better data security, but there get chance of data leakage because SAN is enabled with shared environment, that means all storage devices and other servers are linked with computers. If, anytime data leak from one computer then it could be harmful to others.
Working with Couple of Servers
If, you think that SAN can be used with few servers then it right but it can be more expensive for you. You can grab more benefits with connecting dozens or hundreds of expensive servers.
