Data Storage Systems

Well, virtual SAN or, Virtual Storage Area Network sometimes shortened to VSAN is like a special barrier within a storage area network. The VSAN acts almost like a bouncer at a club, screening what traffic and go within certain sections of the SAN. You wouldn't want just anybody entering the VIP section of your high-end club would you? It's the same with VSANS, only certain traffic is allowed to access various areas of data on the network.

On larger SAN systems, multiple VSANs can be used to make the overall network easier to set up and expand if needed. This is especially good for companies that are looking to grow in a short time and have the ability to quickly increase their volume of storage available. Thus, increasing data storage systems will greatly help a business.

The benefits of the VSAN are users can be added without reconfiguring the entire design of the SAN. And the best part, the use of VSAN protects the overall SAN because if a problem occurs in one area of the SAN, it can be contained without disrupting the rest of the network. Virtual SAN Storage is a great avenue to use when you are looking to reduce the amount risk and improve the overall security of your storage system. Virtual SAN Storage is a good prevention against catastrophic loss of data. An added side benefit in addition to security is the reduction of data redundancy, which is a prime cause of data corruption.

VSANs are often related to zoning. Zoning is the actual process of splitting the SAN into various sub networks. Just like in our club scenario, the bouncer may keep traffic out of certain areas or rooms, but first, those rooms need to be partitioned off. The process of deciding which areas will be for the general public and which areas are set aside with a velvet rope and called VIP is the process of zoning.

In the IT world, zoning is used for the most part to ensure there are enough resources within the storage area and that they are balanced properly. Then an IT administrator can decide who will have access to different areas of the SAN. The way this looks to an end computer user is similar to a computer file. The zone will look like a folder or directory.

Zoning and Virtual SAN storage systems are ways to limit the amount of data corruption and secure stored data from not only data loss, but potential hackers, viruses and other computer issues.