SAN

A storage area network is a network of storage devices dedicated to providing a shared pool of storage for each computer. It also appears as if this pool of storage is connected directly to the computer. This interconnected network of hosts, switches and storage devices can be connected to a computer using various protocols. All the fibre channel is supposed to be the original protocol for data transportation. Still, the same can be done by fibre channels over Ethernet internet, small computing system interface(Used in small and mid-sized organisations) and InfiniBand(used in high-performance computing environments). (al-Aswad & ALWAJEH, 2020)

Although SAN can connect only a tiny amount of storage devices to the server, which limits the network storage capacity, storage area networks bring flexibility for networking by enabling one server or several servers across multiple data centres to share ample common storage space. This storage method also eliminates the need to establish the traditional connection between the server and the storage devices. The features mentioned above of a storage area network have eliminated the bandwidth-related issues of the system. This approach to storage eliminates the points of failure to enhance the reliability and availability of the storage space for its users.

Given below are the Benefits of the storage area network approach:

1. Improved application availability- The applications are accessible for the user in several ways instead of one.
2. Users can do better application performance- The storage processing and loading on separate networks instead of one server.
3. Central system- Management scalability, high availability and flexibility have been made more straightforward and achievable by SAN.
4. The Data transfer- this storage approach protects the data from any harm and malicious attacks while in a vulnerable stage.
5. Centralised management- Data management has been simplified by creating single file storage images.

The drawbacks of SAN-

1. Cost- The purchase and maintenance of a storage area network requires significant financial resources.
2. Maintenance-The storage approach is designed to manage a large number of servers. So, it would be an unnecessary expense to maintain a few servers with the use of SAN.
3. Although SAN follows and implements all the security measures, it is always possible for data leaks because SAN creates a shared environment for its users.
4. Complexity-the storage approach is complex for various reasons, and these are:
5. Sophisticated storage devices are used in the network.
6.  High maintenance is needed by IT professionals hence increasing the expenditure.

NAS

Network area storage is an approach that focuses on making the stored data easily accessible to the devices connected to the network. This data approach establishes a single access point for storage for the entire network. It provides the network data with built and data security features and highly efficient management methods. It brings an incredible scale to how applications and storage are delivered to the users. A network area storage system connects each device with the Central data storage via an Ethernet network. It is designed to be an affordable and easily maintainable approach for storing data on a network. (Kai, 2021)

Network area storage gives many benefits to its users; these benefits are listed below-

1. Scaling capacity-it is very easy to add more storage capacity to a network area by adding more hard disks. The user does not have to replace the existing servers; people can incorporate extra storage capacity into the network without shutting it down first.
2. Performance-as the storage approach is dedicated to serving files to its users, it removes the need to use Resources from other network devices. hence the users experience better performance from the system.
3. Easy to set up the architecture for the storage approach is defined with straightforward scripts, and the devices are pre-installed with a streamlined OS. This helps reduce time significantly, Which is taken for the setup and management of the system.
4. The high accessibility-each device connected to the storage approach network has access to this storage.

Disadvantages of NAS system-

1. The performance of this system depends on the protocols it’s built oN.
2. The system results in increased LAN traffic.
3. The system provides limited scalability to its users
4. The system performs an additional step of input and output processing
5. The features available through the NAS system depend upon the chip and firmware used to build it.

Comparison between NAS and SAN-

Both of the systems mentioned above are network-based storage solutions. Its main aim is to provide its users with round-the-clock access to data irrespective of whether they are on their workplace premises or access the information remotely. Given below are the differences and conclusions between these two approaches.

1. Type of network- While NAS is connected to devices by LAN or Ethernet, the SAN approach successfully uses a high-speed fibre channel.
2. Management- The storage options on NHS are easy to set up and manage for both options available: small businesses and enterprises. On the other hand storage area network demands a hands-on administration for its configuration and management.
3. Protocols- The protocols of a Network storage system provide all the connected devices with a way to communicate with each other and provide a basic set of rules for data processing. Network area storage uses multiple protocols to connect with its users, including NFS, SBM/CIFS and HTTP, while SAN uses only the SCSI protocol for its functioning.
4. Scalability- Both of the stores mentioned above approaches can scale up their storage capacity by incorporating additional storage into the system. While NS configurations can be simply scaled up by adding NS boxes to the network, this method can still become complex and expensive at an enterprise level. On the other hand, SAN Provides its users with high scalability as several storage devices can be incorporated into the network while keeping the integrity intact.
5. Speed and performance- SAN is a shared pool of storage; it provides low latency solutions to the user, whereas NAS systems are slower when they have to retrieve the shared files.
6. Cost- The essential network area storage solutions are affordable for individual users, and even companies can meet their storage needs with high affordability. Contrary to NAS, SAN is very expensive Because they need more management And have a relatively complex storage architecture.

To conclude, if the user is looking for an easy-to-setup and easily manageable storage network, NAS is the better option because it provides high-performance for general purpose applications. Meanwhile, storage area networks can be challenging to install, manage and administer. Bhatt sometimes SANS is the only approach for making shared storage features available for a group of users along with providing them high-performance applications.

Reference

1. al-Aswad, m., & ALWAJEH, P. (2020). A Performance Evaluation of Storage Area Network (SAN)With internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI)For Local System PC. https://doi.org/10.14293/s2199-1006.1.sor-.ppk7zxv.v1
2. Kai, Z. (2021). Research on Network Data Storage Technology Based on Autonomous Controllable System. 2021 International Conference On Computer Engineering And Artificial Intelligence (ICCEAI). https://doi.org/10.1109/icceai52939.2021.00035