A major paradigm shift known as Storage Area Networking (SAN) is underway in server network design. Anyone with concerns for future expansion of network resources can leverage this technology. Any type of data can be used with this network such as: Data warehouse, File, OLTP, Database, Audio, Video, etc.

Storage Area Networks offer scalable, high-speed server, disk and tape resources. All of these resources can be reconfigured or upgraded without a need for system downtime. SAN's are sometimes known as a network within a network because disk and tape resources are networked to servers. Instead of the backend storage resources being dedicated strictly to one server resources may be shared at high speed among any server in the SAN. High-speed optical fiber creates the backbone of the network architecture that interconnects all servers and storage with redundant paths. Modularity and the use of common inexpensive components allow rapid installation and configuration.

Scalability of the entire SAN is maintained within any of the individual resources by simply adding more capacity when needed. This arrangement allows an administrator to start with the system capacity needed and increase capacity only for the components needed later. SAN systems are designed with expansion in mind rather than replacement.

Logical grouping coupled with centralization and economics of scale create expandable, manageable and affordable storage area networks. Servers may be clustered together to increase processing capability and connected to a central or common set of disk data. Centralized disk subsystems are able to achieve 2 terabytes of shared storage per rack cabinet with an unlimited number of cabinets attached to the SAN. Likewise large tape libraries may be attached to this network and used to backup data in storage networks at a very high speed. Tape libraries may be configured for any number of drives or tapes creating a virtually unlimited backup capacity within time constraints.