Storage Area Networks for Dummies, 2nd Edition

So you need to set up a SAN? Here's how to design, implement, and manage one!

Whether you're a complete novice or you already have a bit of knowledge about storage area networks, this book is almost guaranteed to make your job easier. From the basics for beginners to advanced features like snapshot copies, storage virtualization, and heading off problems before they happen, here's what you need to do the job with confidence!

• Getting started — understand what SANs are, whether you need one, and what you need to build one
• Design basics — learn to use loops, switches, and the fabric layer, and design your SAN for peak performance
• No surprises — create a disaster-recovery plan with the appropriate guidelines and choose a remote site and data replication method
• SANs united — see how to connect or extend SANs and how compression can reduce costs
• Wait, back up — compare tape, disk, network, and SAN backup methods to choose the solution you need
• What if it breaks? — follow great troubleshooting tips to help you find and fix a problem
• De-dupe, de-dupe — find out how data de-duplication makes sense for backup, replication, and retention
• It's virtual — explore different types of virtualization and what they offer

Open the book and find:

• What RAID is and why it's important
• Issues to consider when planning your SAN
• A translation of all those pesky acronyms
• What to do when your server gets the hiccups
• How to use CDP and CDR
• What you should beware of with storage virtualization
• Hardware- and software-based copy solutions
• SAN best practices

About the Authors

Christopher Poelker has been in the field of computer technology since 1974. Chris was an electronics engineer in the U.S. Army, and tried to stay out of trouble by hiding in tanks while installing laser range finders and computer-aided ballistic trajectory systems. After leaving the service, Chris went to school in New York City at good old Control Data Institute and was hired as a field engineer by Digital Equipment Corporation. In his spare time, Chris started his own software company, developed databases, and became a Microsoft MCSE and instructor. Chris worked for Digital for 18 years until it was bought by Compaq, where he stayed on as a StorageWorks systems engineer until joining Sun Microsystems in 2000. Chris left Sun to become a consulting storage architect for Hitachi Data Systems and became the district storage manager for HDS in New York City. In 2006, Chris left HDS for FalconStor software, where he now works as the Vice President of Enterprise Solutions. Chris has designed and implemented storage networks for many of the Fortune 100 companies in the U.S. and around the world.

Alex Nikitin, currently a systems expert at HBO, has logged in 15 years in the Information Technology industry. Alex has worn many hats in this industry, ranging from application programmer and network administrator to the ultimate responsibility over large server farms, and storage and backup solutions for some of the world's top f nancial and pharmaceutical companies. Alex and Chris worked together at Hitachi Data Systems in New York, where Alex was the "go to" guy for difficult storage designs and implementations. Prior to joining HDS, he also spent time growing the install base of Storage Area Networks as a Professional Services Consultant for EMC Corporation, implementing SAN solutions for various companies, large and small, on Windows NT/2000, Solaris, HP/UX, AIX, and Linux platforms. Seemingly always cast in a storage-centric capacity, his career has focused on caring for and reliably delivering vast amounts of storage to his user community.