• Learn fundamental storage concepts with this comprehensive introduction
• Compare storage device technologies, including Fibre Channel, SCSI, ATA, and SATA and understand their uses in network storage subsystems
• Learn about key storage processes such as volume management, storage virtualization, data snapshots, mirroring, RAID, backup, and multipathing
• Clarify the roles of file systems and databases within network storage
• Take the next step—this book prepares you to become a storage networking expert

Storage networking has become an essential ingredient in Internet information infrastructures. Becoming competent in this new and important technology area requires a sound understanding of storage technologies and principles. Storage Networking Fundamentals gives you an in-depth look into the most important storage technologies. The entire storage landscape is described, incorporating a complete view of system, device, and subsystem operations and processes. Learn how to protect data effectively using mirroring, RAID, remote copy, and backup/ recovery systems. Virtual storage technologies, such as volume management, RAID, and network virtualization, are analyzed and discussed in detail. High-availability storage through dynamic multipathing and clustered/distributed file systems is explained as are designs for robust storage subsystems. Finally, the confusing and arcane worlds of file systems and SCSI are clarified, including the role of initiators, targets, logical units, and LUNs.

Storage Networking Fundamentals is a comprehensive overview of storage technologies that also provides insights on designing and running SAN and NAS implementations. 

This book is part of the Cisco Press Fundamentals Series. Books in this series introduce networking professionals to new networking technologies, covering network topologies, example deployment concepts, protocols, and management techniques.

 

About The Author

Marc Farley has more than 13 years of experience in the field of network storage. He started working with the technology in 1991 as a systems engineer with Palindrome Corporation, an early innovator in data management technologies for PC LAN environments. Since 1991, Marc has worked in a variety of marketing and strategy-related positions, covering a wide variety of storage technologies, including storage routers, disk subsystems, file-level virtualization, and storage switches. Marc is well-known throughout the networked storage industry for his objective, vendor-independent, in-depth analysis of storage technologies. His writing includes Building Storage Networks, first and second editions. He has also written many articles, white papers, and opinion pieces that have been published in the computer industry trade press. He regularly speaks at industry conferences and events and participates in online seminars and discussions. Marc holds a bachelor of science in physics from the University of Washington.

 

Customer Reviews & Comments
This book is a broad overview of all things related to data storage: * how disk drives work * how file systems and drivers use disk drives * direct attached storage (local disk drive) * SCSI * RAID * NAS (network attached storage) * SAN (storage area network) * backups and tape technologies With this much territory to cover, the author had to choose between writing an encyclopedia and keeping things high level. He opted for high level. The book is a good way to get started with these topics but it doesn't take you far enough to be practical. The author strives for vendor neutrality (and achieves it), but of course you can only use products from vendors. Getting a handle on any particular product should be easier once you've read this. The ordering of the material is not the best. Of the topics covered, most people understand the file system best. This could have been used as the starting point to go deeper into what lays behind the file system. Unfortunately, the file system isn't really discussed until chapter 14.