Distributed Storage Networks: Architecture, Protocols and Management

Did you know that as much as 50% of your storage capacity may bewasted or underutilized?

Efficient management of stored data is becoming a necessity forevery enterprise. The high cost of downtime creates a need for theincreased reliability provided by distributed storage systems. Thusthe use of storage networks to manage access to data not onlyprovides an increase in performance and survivability, but alsogenerates real and immediate cost savings.

This book focuses on three primary areas: architectures fordistributed storage networks, storage protocols and their inherentdistance limitations, and management techniques for distributedstorage networks.

Distributed Storage Networks

describes the evolution of data processing from acomputer–centric to a storage–centric model introduces the concept of a distributed storage–centricprocessing model explains common storage network functional components, such asfabric switches, storage directors, file managers, and gateways,and their roles in a distributed storage environment discusses distributed storage network applications, includingstorage integration, remote database synchronization, andbackup/recovery functions provides a comparative view of Storage Area Network (SAN) andNetwork Attached Storage (NAS) functions and capabilities, andpoints out the advantages of each

One of the primary obstacles to implementing a storage networkcited by enterprise IT managers is a lack of knowledge aboutstorage networking technology and the specific issues involved inextending a SAN or NAS over the MAN or WAN. The primary goal ofthis book is to provide IT managers, planners, andtelecommunications professionals with the information they need inorder to choose the technologies best suited for their particularenvironment.

Foreword.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

List of Figures.

List of Tables.

1. Introduction to Storage Networking.

1.1 Overview.

1.2 Evolution of Storage Netwroking.

1.3 Terminology.

1.4 Storage Concepts.

1.5 SAN Applications.

1.6 Summary. 

2. Applications for Distributed Storage Networking.

2.1 Storage Integration.

2.2 Remote Backup/Restoral.

2.3 Disk Mirroring.

2.4 Data Migration.

2.5 Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery.

2.6 Remote Operation of Peripheral Devices.

2.7 Mainframe/Open Systems Connectivity.

2.8 Network Attached Storage (NAS).

2.9 Summary.

3. Distance Considerations for Storage Networks.

3.1 Physical Layer.

3.2 Protocol Considerations.

3.3 Caching.

3.4 Summary. 

4. Architectures for Distributed Storage Networking.

4.1 Storage Networking in the Business Park.

4.2 Storage Networking in the Metro Network.

4.3 Storage Networking in the Wide Area Network.

4.4 Summary. 

5. Protocols for Distributed Storage Networking.

5.1 Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI).

5.2 Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON).

5.3 Fiber Connection (FICON).

5.4 Fibre Channel (FC).

5.5 Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GEthernet).

5.6 Protocol Summary.

6. InfiniBand.

6.1 Applications.

6.2 Standards.

6.3 Network Topology.

6.4 Addressing.

6.5 Data Framing.

6.6 Physical layer.

6.7 Summary.

7. MAN/WAN Protocols for Distributed Storage Networking.

7.1 Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).

7.2 Time Division Multiplexing and SONET.

7.3 Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).

7.4 Generic Framing Procedure (GFP).

7.5 Summary – WAN/MAN Protocols.

8. Storage Over IP.

8.1 Overview.

8.2 Internet SCSI (iSCSI).

8.3 Fibre Channel and IP Netwroks.

8.4 Summary.

9. Storage Management Requirements.

9.1 Overview.

9.2 Standards.

9.3 The SNIA Shared Storage Model.

9.4 The SNIA Management Model.

9.5 The SNIA Prototype.

9.6 Distance Considerations for Storage management.

9.7 Summary.

10. Security Considerations.

10.1 Overview.

10.2 Physical Security.

10.3 User Login and Administration.

10.4 Management Interfaces.

10.5 Firewalls.

10.6 Encryption and IPSec.

10.7 Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Certificates.

10.8 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

10.9 SAN Security.

10.10 NAS Security.

10.11 Analyzing Network Architecture for Security Issues.

10.12 Summary. 

11. Planning Distributed Storage Networks.

11.1 Selexting an Architecture.

11.2 Optical Fiber Planning.

11.3 Security Planning.

11.4 Outsourcing Storage.

11.5 Return on Investment (ROI).

11.6 Summary. 

12. Glossary of Terms.

Bibliography.

Index.