Designing Storage Area Networks

by Tom Clark

Today's organizations must manage unprecedented amounts of information, and explosive growth in both the quantity of data and users' demands for it. Fibre Channel-based Storage Area Networks are the only practical solution -- and they, too, are experiencing exponential growth. This concise design and implementation guide introduces Fibre Channel SAN technology and demonstrates exactly how it can be used to address specific application challenges, from server clustering to ISP hosting, server-free tape backup to full-motion video. Readers learn how Fibre Channel works, and how to organize Fibre Channel components into an effective, scalable design. They discover today's best approaches for managing storage area networks -- including brandnew troubleshooting techniques. Detailed case studies demonstrate how to select and configure SAN components for seven of today's most challenging storage applications. For networking professionals, consultants, managers, and IT executives, there's no faster way to get up-to-speed on today's most important storage technology.

Genres: Reference

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Tom Clark is Director of Technical Marketing for Vixel Corporation, a manufacturer of Fibre Channel transceivers, hubs, fabric switches, and SAN management software. During his 15-year career in system engineering, he has gained extensive experience in data communications and internetworking, has published numerous articles on Fibre Channel technology, and has presented papers at several conferences, including Fibre Channel Technologies Conference and Expo.