Storage Area Networks For Dummies®

Introduction

Welcome to Storage Area Networks For Dummies, 2nd Edition! The first edition was the book we wish was around when we were trying to learn about this stuff! We tried to take a fairly mundane topic and make it a fun read so you could get up to speed on storage networking as quickly and painlessly as possible. This second edition is written in the same spirit as the first.

When the first edition was written in 2003, very few books on storage area networks (SANs) were available. The books that were available were very narrow and extremely technical in focus. They were about as fun to read as the directions for setting up a DVD player. Although more books about storage networking are available now, most are still very technical and about as fun to read as the U.S. tax code (nothing against accountants here!).

Over the years, this book has become the standard bearer in keeping the subject concise, simple, and fun, and has now been updated to include all the new cool stuff and changes that have occurred since the original printing. Let's face it — most folks typically look for a fast and easy way to get information; you want the information you need to know, and not everything there is to know, so this second edition uses that same point of view common to all of us poor slobs who need to make a SAN work with no budget, no training, and no time. So don't worry, be happy — and just have some fun!

About This Book

The mission of this book is to help you find your way around while ...