SANs have 3 main connectivity options (one of these could be argued though):
- Fiber Channel
- iSCSI
- SAS (some may argue that this isn't a SAN, but more of a DAS)
As this is a Dell forum, I'll provide the Dell options:
- PowerVault MD3600F (fiber channel)
- PowerVault MD3200/3220 (SAS)
- PowerVault MD3200i/3220i/3600i/3620i (iSCSI)
- Equallogic PS-series (iSCSI)
- Compellent (fiber channel and/or iSCSI depending on your needs and what options you purchase)
iSCSI and fiber channel are easily expandable by adding more hosts (unlike SAS (or at least when going beyond 4 total hosts)).
iSCSI leverages regular ethernet networking, but should run either direct-connected or using dedicated switches (isolated from the LAN network). The servers can use regular Gbit NICs (or 10Gbit if you opt for a 10Gbit SAN solution). This can keep the price manageable.
Fiber channel can do direct connect (though not with all HBA model options (e.g. Brocade HBAs won't do direct-connect last I checked)), but you can also use fiber channel switches (this is not the same as fiber optic ethernet).
Dev Mgr
4 Operator
•
9.3K Posts
0
February 6th, 2012 08:00
You will need to purchase a SAN.
SANs have 3 main connectivity options (one of these could be argued though):
- Fiber Channel
- iSCSI
- SAS (some may argue that this isn't a SAN, but more of a DAS)
As this is a Dell forum, I'll provide the Dell options:
- PowerVault MD3600F (fiber channel)
- PowerVault MD3200/3220 (SAS)
- PowerVault MD3200i/3220i/3600i/3620i (iSCSI)
- Equallogic PS-series (iSCSI)
- Compellent (fiber channel and/or iSCSI depending on your needs and what options you purchase)
iSCSI and fiber channel are easily expandable by adding more hosts (unlike SAS (or at least when going beyond 4 total hosts)).
iSCSI leverages regular ethernet networking, but should run either direct-connected or using dedicated switches (isolated from the LAN network). The servers can use regular Gbit NICs (or 10Gbit if you opt for a 10Gbit SAN solution). This can keep the price manageable.
Fiber channel can do direct connect (though not with all HBA model options (e.g. Brocade HBAs won't do direct-connect last I checked)), but you can also use fiber channel switches (this is not the same as fiber optic ethernet).