Storage virtualization with NAS

[Miquel]

Actually I was looking for storage virtualization that can be used with NAS on Google, and then I found some related threads in this forums that explains about an approaches and technical background of storage virtualization but I didn't get any information about the storage with NAS. So I thought to post my question over here. Please provide some detailed information about the storage virtualization with NAS. I am expecting some quick replies from your side.

[Quattro]

The great advantage of a SAN is the storage virtualization. Distributed mass storage in a SAN can be treated as a virtual hard drive by each server be assigned to this virtual hard disk partitions. The server can partition and its HBAs as a separate hard drive can include this. The allocated space can be in operation zoom in and out. SANs based on Fibre Channel are the ideal infrastructure for storage networks, if a scalable storage network is required with a high transmission speed. Due to the special hardware of this concept does bring a high cost, and also the construction and management of such a network is only for specialists. In addition, the products from different manufacturers are not always fully compatible. Users must test the products before buying a new or commit to the devices of a manufacturer to avoid inconvenience.

[Brunoz]

Besides the above benefits of a SAN to bring its high costs, the decision still kept coming back to brooding. It would be good if use the benefits of storage technology without the high costs were incurred by the FC hardware. There are several considerations, such as dedicated storage networks with existing infrastructure can only be achieved, the latter is Ethernet, and existing technology, the Internet protocol. One possibility here iSCSI. The basic idea of iSCSI is to transfer the SCSI protocol over a standard TCP / IP connection. Just like replacing Fibre Channel iSCSI here the SCSI cable. However, in this case through an Ethernet connection that allows data using the TCP / IP protocol are sent. In contrast to the SAN could be then the existing hardware, continue to use such as switches. Both iSCSI and Fibre Channel in there are pros and cons. For Fibre Channel says the long-term commitment, and the lower cost of iSCSI as an enterprise this does not have to buy extra hardware. However, Fibre Channel has established itself on the market, iSCSI is still struggling a little against the prejudice, have placed the user of a memory technology that uses the Internet Protocol.

[StephanieRice]

As the name suggests, it is with the NAS other way around technology than with SAN: For NAS present, the storage device to the network connected to SAN is a separate network storage devices connected to, or a separate network is part the storage infrastructure. Administrative expenses and operating costs can always be saved if, for example, individual memory systems and distributed servers large storage unit together to become one. Economy and of similar operation, the benefits that result from it. By so-called NAS systems, data can be within a company work together and easier to replace. NAS systems are composed of multiple servers with pre-set disk capacity and a streamlined operating system. If data stored in a NAS network, multiple employees can work simultaneously on the data without these duplicated and without having to hold on each machine.

[Xena]

Unlike the other major storage technology SAN and NAS units can be connected directly to the local network. The data is transmitted in the so-called file method, which means that the stored data is referred to only by name and not the place where they are stored. To get over the name of the files, so a file server is required. It works to block access to the actual disc in the background unnoticed. The client machines do so only the name of the file, but not their exact location, and because the computers to access the file server and not on the exact location, multiple users can simultaneously access one and the same database.

[Wannabe]

Simultaneous access to data from different systems, file sharing, is considered the main advantage of a NAS system, mainly for network attached storage devices are developed. Unlike a traditional server unit is therefore the purpose of a NAS is largely unknown. An operating system that runs on a NAS unit is therefore usually slender and can be adapted to the requirements. An operating system "ready", however, is to run on as many different machines, and is therefore more extensive. With a lean operating system the accrual of data processing faster. The maintenance and installation costs can be reduced in those operating systems because the administrator can banish all that from the operating system, which is not needed for file-sharing tasks. NAS devices are easily scalable, an administrator can for each new project or for other upcoming tasks other NAS devices into a network hang. NAS devices, as described above, by other members, are pre-configured. That is, the administrator can replace individual units are not simply more powerful. He is much more dependent on the upgrade path to it, the manufacturer of the hardware used.

[McGrawh]

The NAS appliances are working with the minutes Common Internet File System (CIFS) or Server Message Block (SMB) and NFS (Network File Service). The files are not transferred, users prefer to draw towards it, as if they were stored locally on its computer. With NAS, storage can easily attach to the local network, which means that NAS is a technique for IP networks. The latter are relatively mature, and almost everywhere in use. When administrators connect NAS systems to LANs, so they work with an existing infrastructure. A NAS environment is therefore no defined storage network that regardless of the LAN is working and traffic generated. When users access files stored on a NAS unit that runs the network traffic generated by the normal return on the LAN to the NAS system. If multiple users simultaneous access to stored files, this can quickly lead to a bottleneck in the local network. Because if the information superhighway is not reserved for specific data, it is sometimes blocked even before it starts with the important data. Besides, this is Ethernet not fast access to mass storage designed for. On the other hand can be over an IP network to transfer data reliably, the failure of individual components of the data achieved by rerouting (activate an alternative path), still their goal.