If stored data is lost, getting it back is expensive and time-consuming - if at all possible. Data networks must, therefore, be designed with built-in redundancy and for high availability. Storage networks permit information management functions such as backup and recovery, data mirroring, disaster recovery, and data migration to be performed and efficiently, with a minimum of system overhead. Consequently, anyone who is involved in the planning or the operation of IT-systems requires a basic knowledge of the principles and the use of storage networks.

"Storage Networks Explained" provides system administrators and system architects as well as students the tools they need for the optimal selection and the cost-efficient use of storage networks, an indispensable technology in the view of our ever-growing storage quantities.

After reading "Storage 'Networks Explained" you will be familiar with

• The basic concepts of storage networks like I/O techniques, disk subsystems, virtualization, NAS, and SAN file systems.
• The design of storage networks to provide flexible, high-available, and scalable IT-systems.
• The use of storage networks for data sharing, device sharing and data protection.
• The management of storage networks using SNMP, SMI-S, and IEEE 1244.