Data Storage Solutions
Along with the development of IT and the explosion of data, one needs to appear as the preservation and storage of data safely and efficiently. Therefore, the data storage solution for the modern was born to meet the needs of the user.
Due to the increasing amount of data constantly, requiring increasing access performance, stability and availability of data; storage has become very important. Data storage is no longer simply provide storage space including a large but also the ability to manage, share and backup and data recovery in all cases.
To store data, you can use many different devices, many different technologies. The database can be used hard disk, used tape, optical disc ... Depending on the specific requirements of the problem posed that the choice of technology and equipment to match. According storage mechanism, now has some kind of underlying data store, such as:
DAS (Direct Attached Storage): stores data across devices attached directly
NAS (Network Attached Storage): stores data on storage devices via IP network
SAN (Storage Area Network) data storage through its dedicated storage network.
Each type of data storage has advantages and disadvantages and is used for certain purposes. Here are models of general data storage.
Traditional storage solutions - DAS
DAS (Direct Attached Storage) is a storage mechanism for devices attached directly to the server. This is considered a traditional storage technologies used by many businesses. Mechanism DAS, each server will have a storage system and storage management software separately.
Advantages of DAS solutions is the ability to ease of installation, low cost, high performance.
However, the disadvantages of DAS is scalability limitations. DAS fact work very well with a server, but when the data increases, the number of servers increases will also create the distributed data and interruption. Meanwhile, administrators would have to add or reset capacity, and maintenance work will have to be on each server. That will increase the overall storage costs for businesses and will even more difficult when you want to backup or protect a system repository data are scattered and dispersed so.
Storage Solutions NAS technology
NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a method of storing data using a special storage device attached directly to a LAN as a normal network device (similar to a computer, switch or router). NAS devices are assigned a fixed IP address and user access control through the server. In some cases, the NAS can be accessed directly without the management server.
In multi-OS environment with many different servers, data storage, backup and recover data, manage or apply security policies are done centrally.
Advantages of NAS
Scalability: when users need more storage, NAS storage devices can be added and installed in the network.
NAS also enhances resistance to breakdown the network. In DAS environment, when a data storage server is not enabled, all data can not be used. In NAS environments, data is still entirely possible to be accessed by users. Measures against error and advanced redundancy is applied to ensure that the NAS is always ready to provide data to the user.
Disadvantages of NAS
With the use of common network infrastructure with other applications, the stored data can affect the overall system performance (slow speed of the LAN), which is particularly interesting when the need to store often a large amount of data.
In an environment with database systems, the NAS is not a good solution because the system database administrator usually stores data in the form of blocks, not files should be used as a NAS will not perform better .
SAN solution
SAN (Storage Area Network) is a private network for high speed data transfers between the servers involved in the storage system as well as between the storage devices together. SAN allows for centralized management and provides the ability to share data and storage resources. Most current network-based SAN fiber channel technology, providing users with the scalability, performance and high availability.
SAN system is divided into two levels: physical and logical
Physical level: describes the alignment of the components of the network creates a heterogeneous storage systems and can be used simultaneously for multiple applications and users.
Logical level: including applications, management tools and services built on the foundation of the physical layer devices, providing the ability to manage the SAN system.
Advantages of SAN systems
Capable of backing up data with large and frequently without affecting the flow of online information.
SAN particularly suitable for applications requiring speed and reduced latency applications such as transaction processing in banking and finance.
The data is always at the level of high availability.
Data is stored unity, focus and ability to manage high. Having the ability to recover data if a problem occurs.
Support for multiple protocols, different storage standards such as iSCSI, FCIP, DWDM ...
Have good scalability in terms of both the number of devices, storage systems, as well as physical distance.
High level of safety by implementing centralized management and use of management tools to support the SAN.
Therefore, the SAN is often used in large data centers for bringing some features such as: Reducing risks to data, the ability to share resources is very high, the ability to easily develop, through large, support a variety of devices, supporting and managing large data transmission and high data security.
Moreover, SAN enhance the operational efficiency of the system by simultaneously support multiple operating systems, servers and applications, with the ability to respond quickly to changes in the operational requirements of the organization organizational as well as technical requirements of the network.
ASSESSMENT OF STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Advantages of DAS solutions is the ability to ease of installation, low cost, high performance. Disadvantages of DAS is scalability limitations: the data increases the number of servers required also increases. This will create the distributed data, disruption and difficulty in backing up and protecting storage systems.
NAS and SAN solutions to address the limitations of DAS. With this type of NAS and SAN, the storage is separated from the server, network consolidation, creating a wide area access to the server, users and applications accessing and exchanging. It makes a flexible and dynamic. The management and data protection will become simple, convenient level will be higher, the overall cost will be smaller. NAS environment suitable for file sharing but limitations in an environment with database systems. Furthermore, with the use of common network infrastructure with other applications, NAS slow speed network access and affect the overall system performance.
SAN storage networking solutions solve the limitations of the NAS and is particularly suitable for applications requiring high speed with minimal delay. Furthermore, the SAN has the ability to respond quickly to changes in the operational requirements of the organization as well as the technical requirements of the network. SAN downside is the cost of the initial investment is higher than both DAS and NAS solutions.
ABILITY TO PROVIDE STORAGE SOLUTIONS FOR CUSTOMERS
Until this time, the demand for solutions DAS, NAS, SAN gradually change. Previously, DAS storage solution is most commonly used. However, the current trend is shifting to the NAS, SAN and new technologies such as FCoE .... With many years experience in the IT field, our company ensures to provide clients with solutions stored in multiple levels suitable for the most demanding but always interested to note the characteristics such as:
The best solution is a storage system is to be capable of integrating all kinds of storage technology, storage devices and can support multiple types of storage.
Review and grasp the development trend of the technology of major manufacturers to provide the best hosting service for customers.
The system must meet the storage requirements today and in the future.
The system has the willingness and ability to implement advanced applications.
Solution developers can extend continuously while maintaining a reasonable investment.
Complete solutions and professional service system.
Ease of deployment and administration: central management software will simplify the management and reduce operating costs.
Pattern typical storage system
