Storage Area Network

SAN

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Storage and types
Storage is a process through which digital data is saved within a data
storage device by means of computing technology. Storage is a
mechanism that enables a computer to retain data, either
temporarily or permanently

Primary storage devices

RAM
ROM
Magnetic storage devices
Floppy disk
Hard disk
Flash memory devices
Pen drive
SSD
Sd card
Optical storage devices
CD
DVD 2
Disk Architecture
spindle cylinder
sector track

platters

arms with
read/write
heads

rotation
JBOD
What is JBOD?
JBOD refers to a storage architecture where multiple disks are combined into a single logical
unit without any redundancy or striping.
In JBOD, each disk in the configuration operates independently, appearing as individual
drives to the operating system. Instead of presenting a unified storage pool, JBOD simply
concatenates the storage capacity of all the disks into one larger virtual volume.

Pros and Cons of JBOD

Pros of JBOD
Cost-Effective: JBOD is a cost-effective storage solution as it utilizes existing disk drives without the need for expensive RAID
arrays or additional hardware. This makes it an attractive option for individuals or organizations looking to expand their storage capacity on a limited
budget.
Flexibility: JBOD offers flexibility in terms of drive selection. It allows the use of disks with different sizes, speeds, or manufacturers.
This means you can repurpose existing drives or add new ones as needed without being restricted to a specific disk configuration.
Easy Integration: Implementing JBOD is relatively simple and straightforward. Since JBOD presents individual disks to the
operating system, there is no complex setup or configuration required. It seamlessly integrates into existing systems without the need for specialized
hardware or complex management software

Cons of JBOD:
Lack of Data Redundancy: One of the significant disadvantages of JBOD is the absence of built-in data redundancy. Unlike RAID
configurations that offer various levels of redundancy, JBOD does not provide any mirroring or parity protection. This means that if a disk fails, there is no
mechanism in place to recover the lost data, resulting in potential data loss.
Risk of Data Loss: Since JBOD lacks data redundancy, the failure of a single disk can lead to the loss of data stored on that specific disk. If data
is not backed up or replicated elsewhere, there is a higher risk of permanent data loss. This can be a critical concern for individuals or organizations that store
important or sensitive data.

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What is SAN?
 SAN storage is defined as storage connected to servers by use of a
storage area network or SAN for block access to data. This is
distinguishable from connection over Ethernet as a NAS or
Network Attached Storage for access to files or object storage
object access. Many SAN storage systems also support file access
as a NAS system as well.
 SAN storage may include solid state technology as well, in the
form of SSDs or Solid-State Devices that mimic Hard Disk Drives
(HDDs) in form and protocol or with custom flash memory
implementations.
 Included in SAN storage is the use of NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory
express), a protocol that is memory-based, enabling reduction in
overhead when using solid state technology. NVMe is used in
attaching solid state devices to storage controllers and servers as
well as a protocol over a storage network called NVMe over Fabric
(NVMeoF).
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Storage Area Network (SAN)
Servers
HP-UX NT
Linux IBM SUN

Switches
Brocade
FC-AL
Hub
Brocade
STORAGE
ARRAY
SCSI

Switches

Tape
HP Arrays & JBOD’s EMC Libraries
Tapes Libray 6
 A san configuration
IBM: AIX SUN:solaris
San SAN
Switches Storage switches
array

NT Server

Legend San switches

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HPUX servers = Fibre Channel
Linux servers
SAN Components
Server systems
 IBM(RS6000), SUN(E10000), HP(superdome), DELL)
Storages Device
 EMC(Clarion), HDS(9900), IBM(shark), HP(xp1024)
Fibre Channel Switches
 Brocade, Mc-data, Cisco
Backup devices
 tape library
Management & backup software
 Veritas backup, HP openview, Legato, CA unicenter

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Criticality of Server
Mail server
File servers
Application servers
Database servers
AD server
Proxy server

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HBA - HOST BUS ADAPTER
HBA is the device which is inserted in the server and storage
mother board PCI slot.
Fibre channel(FC) cable connected in HBA ports.
HBA that interconnects with servers, switches and storage
devices on the fabric switch.
FC HBA have (world wide port number WWPN and WWNN (world
wide node name) like MAC address

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What is SFP?
Small form-factor pluggable (SFP)
What is SFP in San?
Small form-factor pluggable, or SFP, devices are hot-swappable
interfaces used primarily in network and storage switches. The
SFP ports on a switch and SFP modules enable the switch to
connect to fiber

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SAN switch

SAN Switch will contain below physical parts

1. One / Two Hot Swap-able Power supply units
2. SFP (Small Form Factor pluggable) Ports
3. Out Band Management Port (RJ45)
4. Console Port
5. USB ports
6. FC ports (count is depend up on the model)

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Director switches

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Switch Management
-using web browsing or telnet

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Fibre Channel
• Concept of “Nodes” and “Ports”
• Nodes can be Hosts or Devices, the ports are the
bus adapters. NODE
• Nodes communicate via three possible topologies:
Point to point, Loop, and Fabric.
P1 P2 P3 PORTS

Fabric Loop
Point to Point
N N
NL NL
Port Port
Port Port
N N F Port F Port
Port Port Switch
FL Port
Switch Hub
E Port E Port
F Port F Port
NL NL
Port Port NL NL
N N
Port Port15
port Port
 Switch Ports

•U_Port – Universal Port. U_Port means that the Port does not have a
topology assigned yet, it is basically waiting to become another port type.
Normally when nothing is attached to a port it is a U_Port.

•FL_Port – Fabric Loop Port. A switch port becomes FL_Port only when it is
directly connected to NL_Port on the device side.

•G_Port – Generic Port. It is a state through-out Port Initialization before a

port can become either a F_Port or E_Port. If a port stayed as a G_Port
there is probably some issue during Port Initialization

•F_Port – Fabric Port. It means that the port is connected to a Full Fabric
device – so to a N_Port. In other words F_Port means that this port is
directly connected to either a initiator or target.

•E_Port – Expansion Port. This kind of port is used for inter-switch

links (ISL). It is the connection between two switches. 16
ISL Trunking:
 Advantages:
 What is ISL? High bandwidth (8Gb/s)
ISL is link between 2 Load sharing
san switches, so call In order frame delivery
inter switching links. Link redundancy on need
for re-routing if one link
 What is ISL Trunking? failure
Combine 4 pyhsical Simpler management
• Only one logical link
ISLs into one single
between 2 switches.
logical links.
Use in between core switch
in large scale SAN.

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 ISL Trunking:
Throughput of ISL no (trunking)=(1+1.5+0.5+1+1)Gb/s = 5 Gb/s

Throughput of ISL trunking =(1.5+1.5+0.5+1+2)Gb/s = 7 Gb/s

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SAN Security- Zoning
Storage Area network devices arranged into specified
logical groups.

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SAN Security- Zoning(cont’d)
 What is san zoning?  Advantages of zoning:

 Partition storage area networks

Fabric-connected devices into logical groupings of
arranged into specified logical devices.
groups, devices can be
members of multiple zone.  Flexible: device can be member
of more than one zone, like tape
 Types zoning: library.

 Port Zoning – base on switch  Controlled access: barrier

port (domain ID, number) between different operating
environment – AIX, Solaris,
hpux, win2000, Linux.
 WWN Zoning– base on fibre
channel card’s World wide  Ease of monitoring:
name which is similar to Mac
address of Ethernet card.  Can telnet into san switches
 Using web browser.
 Mixed Zoning – base on port
& WWN.

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RAID

• Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks

• Two orthogonal concepts:
– data striping for performance
– redundancy for reliability
• Striped arrays can increase performance, but
at the cost of reliability redundancy can give arrays
better reliability than an individual disk
RAID Functions
 Striping
 Write consecutive logical byte/blocks on consecutive physical disks
 Mirroring
 Write the same block on two or more physical disks
 Parity
RAID Function – Pro & Con
 Striping
 Pro: Increases Spindle Count for Increased Thruput
 Con: Does not provide redundancy
 Mirroring
 Pro: Provides Redundancy without Parity Calculation
 Con: Requires at least 100% disk resource overhead
 Parity Calculation
 Pro: Cuts Disk Resource Overhead to 1/N
 Con: Parity calculation is expensive
N-2 calculations are required
If all N-1 data blocks are not in cache, they must be
read
RAID Types
 RAID 0
 Stripe with No Parity
 RAID 1
 Mirror two or more disks
 RAID 0+1
 Stripe on Inside, Mirror on Outside
 RAID 1+0
 Mirrors on Inside, Stripe on Outside
 RAID 3
 Synchronous, Subdivided Block Access; Dedicated Parity Drive
 RAID 4
 Independent, Whole Block Access; Dedicated Parity Drive
 RAID 5
 Like RAID 4, but Parity striped across multiple drives
RAID 0 RAID 1
RAID 3 RAID 5
FibreChannel - WWPN
 World-Wide Port Number
 A unique 64-bit hardware address for each
FibreChannel Device
 Analogous to a 48-bit ethernet hardware address
 WWNN - World-Wide Node Number
FibreChannel – Zone & Zoning
 Switch-Based Access Control
 Analogous to an Ethernet Broadcast Domain
 Soft Zone
 Zoning based on WWPN of Nodes Connected
 Preferred
 Hard Zone
 Zoning Based on Port Number on Switch
to which the Nodes are Connected
FibreChannel - LUN
Logical Unit
Storage Node Allocates Storage and Assigns
a LUN
Appears to the server as a unique device
(disk)
FibreChannel – LUN Masking
 Storage Node Based Access Control List (ACL)
 LUNs and Visible Server Connections (WWPN) are
allowed to see each other thru the ACL.
 LUNs are Masked from Servers not in the ACL
LUN Security
Host Software
HBA-based
firmware or driver configuration
Zoning
LUN Masking
LUN Security
Host-based & HBA
 Both these methods rely on correct security
implemented at the edges
 Most difficult to manage due to large numbers and
types of servers
 Storage Managers may not be Server Managers
 Don’t trust the consumer to manage resources
Trusting the fox to guard the hen house
LUN Security

Zoning
 An access control list
 Establishes a conduit
A circuit will be constructed thru this
 Allows only selected Servers see a Storage Node
 Lessons learned
Implement in parallel with LUN Masking
Segregate OS types into different Zones
Always Promptly Remove Entries For Retired Servers
LUN Security

LUN Masking
The Storage Node’s Access Control List
Sees the Server’s WWPN
Masks all LUNs not allocated to that server
Allows the Server to see only its assigned LUNs
Implement in parallel with Fabric Zoning
 Thank You !!
Questions if any ?

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