Storage & Networking

Fibre Channel

Fibre Channel is a high-speed storage area network (SAN) technology that is used to connect servers to storage arrays. It provides a fast, low-latency connection that is ideal for mission-critical applications that require high performance and low latency. Fibre Channel is often used in large-scale data centers and enterprise environments, where it can support multiple concurrent workloads with ease.

Network-attached storage (NAS) & SAN

Network-attached storage (NAS) and SAN are two common types of storage solutions that organizations use to store and manage data. NAS uses a file-level protocol such as NFS or SMB to allow multiple clients to access the same storage system, while SAN uses a block-level protocol like Fibre Channel or iSCSI to provide fast, direct access to storage for individual servers. Both NAS and SAN have their strengths and are often used in combination to provide a complete storage solution.

Flash Storage

Flash storage is a type of non-volatile memory that is used in many modern storage systems. It provides fast access times and high throughput, making it ideal for high-performance applications such as databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. Flash storage is also more energy-efficient than traditional spinning disks, which can help organizations to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs.

NFS & SMB

NFS and SMB are file-sharing protocols that are used to share files between clients and servers. NFS is commonly used in Unix and Linux environments, while SMB is used in Windows environments. Both protocols provide access to shared storage and can be used in combination with NAS or SAN to provide a complete storage solution.

iSCSI

iSCSI is a block-level protocol that is used to provide direct access to storage over an IP network. It is often used as an alternative to Fibre Channel in smaller environments where cost is a consideration. iSCSI can be used to provide direct-attached storage to individual servers or to provide shared storage to multiple servers.

Zoning

Zoning is a technique used in Fibre Channel SANs to control access to storage resources. It allows administrators to create groups of servers and storage systems that can communicate with each other while preventing unauthorized access from other systems. Zoning can help to improve the security and reliability of a SAN by reducing the risk of data loss or corruption due to accidental or malicious access.

Routing

Routing is the process of directing data traffic between networks. In modern IT environments, routing is typically performed using switches and routers that are designed to handle large volumes of traffic and provide high levels of reliability and security. Routing can be used to connect multiple networks and to provide access to resources that are located on different networks.

Firewalls

Firewalls are an essential part of modern IT security infrastructure. They are used to control access to networks and resources by monitoring and filtering network traffic. Firewalls can be used to block unauthorized access to a network or to specific resources, preventing data loss, theft, or corruption.

VLAN

Finally, VLANs are virtual LANs that are used to segment network traffic and provide a more efficient and secure network environment. VLANs allow administrators to group devices into logical networks that can be managed independently, improving performance and reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data loss.