| Merits v Improvements to application availability: · Storage is independent of applications and accessible through multiple data paths for better reliability, availability, and serviceability. v Higher application performance: · Storage processing is off-loaded from servers and moved onto a separate network. v Centralized and consolidated storage: · Simpler management, scalability, flexibility, and availability. v Data transfer and vaulting to remote sites: · Remote copy of data enabled for disaster protection and against malicious attacks. v Long distance connectivity: · With Fibre channel capable of running up to 10 kilometers, we can keep our data in a remote, physically secure location. Fibre channel switching also makes it very easy to establish private connections with other SANs for mirroring, backup, or maintenance. | Demerits v High initial cost · SANs are very expensive as Fibre channel technology tends to be pricier and maintenance requires a higher degree of skill. Also, there are a few SAN product vendors due to its very high price and very few mega enterprises need SAN set up. v Not leveraging on existing technology investments · Leveraging of existing technology investments tends to be much difficult. Though SAN facilitates to make use of already existing legacy storage, lack of SAN-building skills has greatly diminished deployment of homegrown SANs. So currently pre-packaged SANs based on Fibre channel technology are being used among the enterprises. |