SAN Solution Installation Guide

Topologies and Components
Storage Area Network (SAN)
Chapter 11-2
Storage Area Network (SAN)
Chapter Overview
The objective of this chapter is to:
• Describe SAN topologies
• Introduce components of the storage area network architecture
Storage Network Industry Association (SNIA) definition of a Storage Area Network:
“A network whose primary purpose is the transfer of data between computer systems and
storage elements and among storage elements. Abbreviated SAN. A SAN consists of a
communication infrastructure, which provides physical connections, and a management
layer, which organizes the connections, storage elements, and computer systems so that
data transfer is secure and robust.”
--SNIA Technical Dictionary: Storage Networking Industry Association, Copyright 2000.
Table 1-1 Abbreviations Used in this Manual
FC Fibre Channel
FC-AL Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop
GB GigaByte
Gb GigaBit
GBIC Gigabit Interface Converter
GLM GigaBaud Link Module
HBA Host Bus Adapter
I/O Input Output
IP Internet Protocol
IPL Initial Program Load
SAN Storage Area Network
SCSI Small Computer Systems Interface
SNIA Storage Networking Industry Association
SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
WWN World Wide Name