MORE INFORMATION
A Storage Area Network (SAN) provides storage and storage management capabilities for company data. SANs use Fiber Channel switching technology to provide fast and reliable connectivity between storage and programs.
SANs also allow sharing the storage infrastructure, without implying data sharing, which results in better utilization of storage devices and easier reconfiguration than is possible with direct attached storage.
Hardware vendors sell complete SAN packages that include the hardware, software, and support that you need. SAN software manages network and data flow redundancy by providing multiple paths to stored data. Because SAN technology is relatively new and continues to evolve rapidly, you can plan and deploy a complete SAN solution to handle future growth and emerging SAN technologies. Ultimately, SAN technology allows connectivity between heterogeneous systems with different operating systems to storage products from multiple vendors.
For additional information about System Area Networks and Storage Area Networks, click the article number below
to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
264135 Differences Between a System Area Network and a Storage Area Network
Storage Area Networks and SharePoint Portal Server
Because SharePoint Portal Server 2001 and Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server use the Web Storage System technology, the requirements are the same when you place data files on Network Shares solutions.
For additional information about specific errors and settings associated with placing Exchange or SharePoint Portal Serverdata files on network-accessed disks, click the article numbers below
to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
314916 XADM: Issues That Might Occur If You Place Exchange Data Files on Network Shares
288212 XADM: Exchange and Network-Attached Storage Devices
317173 XADM: Exchange 2000 Server and Network-Attached Storage
Supportability
Incorrect use of SharePoint Portal Server software with a network storage product might result in total data loss. If data guarantees, such as write ordering or write-through, are not completely honored by the network-attached storage device or network software, then hardware, software, or even power failures might seriously compromise data integrity.
Microsoft recommends that you contact your hardware vendor before you deploy any storage solution for SharePoint Portal Server data, to obtain assurance that the end-to-end solution is designed for use with SharePoint Portal Server.
For information about contacting Storage Area Network hardware vendors, visit the following Microsoft Hardware Compatibility List Web site:
For information about how to contact Storage Area Network hardware vendors, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K
60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P
60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.