Sun Microsystems 3510 manual Introduction, DAS and SAN Storage Architectures

Introduction

There are two popular methods for connecting storage to servers.

■The original and still most widely used approach uses a direct connection between a server and its storage system. A storage system connected in this manner is commonly referred to as direct-attached storage (DAS). The DAS solution of connecting each server to its own dedicated storage system is straight- forward, and the absence of storage switches can minimize costs in some instances.

■A newer, more sophisticated technique places a storage switch between network servers and storage systems, creating what has become known as a Storage Area Network (SAN). In many ways, these two methods create contrasting storage architectures providing their own unique mix of benefits. A SAN solution shares a storage system among multiple servers using storage switches, and reduces the total number of storage systems required for a particular environment but increases the complexity.

Direct-Attached Storage (DAS)

Storage Area Network (SAN)

FIGURE 1 DAS and SAN Storage Architectures

Selecting the best storage architecture for a particular environment can be a confusing exercise. In general, some environments are well-suited for DAS while others will benefit greatly from SAN.

The challenge of selecting between DAS and SAN is often further complicated by the need to choose between different storage systems – one designed for DAS or another intended for SAN. Fortunately, every Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array inherently supports both DAS and SAN.

2 Sun StorEdge 3000 Family Best Practices Manual • October 2003