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Storage Area Networks For Dummies®

by Christopher Poelker, Alex Nikitin

January 2009

Beginner

456 pages

11h 40m

English

For Dummies

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About This BookFoolish AssumptionsConventions Used in This BookHow This Book Is OrganizedIcons Used in This Book
1.1. Defining a SAN1.2. Fiber versus Fibre1.3. How a SAN Makes Computing Different1.4. Understanding the Benefits of a SAN1.5. Finding Out Whether a SAN Is Right for You1.5.1. Who should use a SAN?1.5.2. Who should not use a SAN?1.6. Dissecting a SAN (The Four Ps)1.7. The Parts of a SAN1.7.1. The host layer1.7.2. The fabric layer1.7.3. The storage layer1.7.4. Storage arrays1.8. The SAN Protocols1.9. The SAN Players1.10. The SAN Platforms1.10.1. Applications that benefit from a SAN1.10.2. Applications that require a SAN
2.1. SAN Components and How They're Used2.2. The Host Layer2.2.1. Host bus adapters2.2.2. Gigabit gadgets: GBICs and GLMs2.3. The Fabric Layer2.3.1. Understanding storage fabrics2.3.2. SAN hubs2.3.3. SAN switches2.3.4. Data routers2.3.5. Cables2.3.6. Cable-connector types2.3.7. SAN ports and port naming2.3.8. Basic SAN port modes of operation2.3.9. Protocols used in a Fibre Channel SAN2.4. The Storage Layer2.4.1. Storage arrays: Storing your data2.4.2. Explaining Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)2.4.3. RAID benefits2.4.4. RAID types2.4.5. Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs)2.4.6. Understanding storage-array classification2.4.7. Modular versus monolithic2.4.8. Monolithic (Enterprise)2.4.9. Modular (Departmental)2.4.10. Why Cache memory makes a difference
3.1. Networking Basics3.2. Moving Data at the Speed of Light3.3. Bandwidth3.4. Fibre Channel Protocols3.4.1. The arbitrated loop3.4.2. Loop addressing3.5. The Switched Fabric3.5.1. The fabric protocol3.5.2. Fabric addressing
4.1. Discovering What Causes SAN Problems4.2. Preventing Poor SAN Design4.2.1. Bandwidth4.2.2. Too much distance between components4.2.3. Excess latency4.2.4. Congestion4.2.5. Over-subscription4.3. Using the Right Cables in the Right Way4.3.1. Avoiding connection issues4.3.2. Macro-and micro-bends, and the patch panel pain4.3.3. Cable labeling4.3.4. Choosing the right host bus adapter for your computer4.3.5. Going with a single vendor4.3.6. Mixing switch vendors

5.1. Basic SAN Designs: Understanding the Layers5.2. Point-to-Point Topology5.3. Arbitrated Loop Topology5.3.1. Cascading hubs5.3.2. Loop of hubs5.3.3. Creating resilient hub networks5.3.4. Fault-tolerant loops5.4. Switched Fabric Topology5.4.1. Types of SAN switches5.4.2. Choosing which switches to use5.4.3. Using the right bandwidth for the job5.4.4. Trunking and what it's used for5.5. Basic Fabric Topologies5.5.1. Dual switches, the SAN fabric building block5.5.2. Loop-of-switches topology5.5.3. Meshed fabric topology5.5.4. Star topology5.5.5. Core-edge topology5.6. Understanding Zoning5.6.1. The parts of a zone5.6.2. Types of zoning5.6.3. Zone alias names5.7. Initial Switch Setup5.7.1. Setting up a Brocade switch5.7.2. Setting up an original McData (Brocade) director switch5.8. Best Practices — Tips from the Trenches5.8.1. When to choose a director-class switch5.8.2. Standardize on a single vendor's switches5.8.3. Standardize your firmware versions5.8.4. Standardize your HBA drivers5.8.5. Use unique zone alias names5.8.6. Using storage from multiple vendors5.8.7. Always use two fabrics
6.1. How Much Downtime Can You Afford?6.1.1. Gathering the data for a disaster-recovery plan6.1.2. Create a detailed plan that meets your requirements6.2. Recognizing the Importance of Distance, Bandwidth, and Latency6.2.1. Distance6.2.2. Bandwidth6.2.3. Latency6.3. Choosing the Recovery Site6.3.1. Existing facility6.3.2. Co-location facility6.4. Choosing Where to Run the Data Replication Process6.4.1. Host-based data replication solutions6.4.2. Appliance-based data replication solutions6.4.3. Array-based data replication solution6.4.4. Shipping tapes as a solution6.5. The Importance of Testing
7.1. Building a SAN by Hand7.2. The SAN Plan7.2.1. Fabric Zoning 1017.2.2. LUN security7.3. Setting Up the SAN7.3.1. Keeping good notes7.3.2. Setting up the switches7.4. Preparing the Servers7.4.1. Loading the driver7.4.2. Customizing the HBA card's configuration7.4.3. Planning the HBA connections7.5. Configuring the Array7.5.1. The hardware7.5.2. RAID setup7.6. Plugging Things In7.7. Configuring the Zones7.7.1. Mapping the zones first7.7.2. I'm zoning out ...7.8. Back to the Servers: Did It Work?7.8.1. Unix servers7.8.2. Windows system7.9. iSCSI, You SCSI, We All SCSI7.9.1. Initiators and targets7.9.2. IQN: iSCSI qualified name7.9.3. SCSI Name Service7.9.4. Data domains7.9.5. Getting started with iSCSI7.9.6. Getting serious with iSCSI7.10. Data Migration7.10.1. Network migration7.10.2. Backup/restore migration7.10.3. Disk-to-SAN migration
8.1. Defining a SAN Island8.2. Connecting SAN Islands8.2.1. Disk/data sharing8.2.2. Data copying8.3. The Storage WAN, MAN, and SWAN8.3.1. Using the network only for storage management8.3.2. The storage SWAN8.4. Choosing and Using SAN Extenders8.5. Choosing the Correct Link for the Job8.5.1. IP connections8.5.2. OC-type connections8.6. Reducing Costs with Compression, Data De-duplication and WAN Tuners8.6.1. Compression8.6.2. De-duplication8.6.3. WAN tuners8.7. SAN Connection Protocols8.7.1. FCIP: The SAN tunnel8.7.2. iFCP: The SAN gateway8.8. Stretching the SAN (The Rubber-Band Approach)8.9. Using Connected SAN Islands (The Two-Rubber-Bands Approach)8.10. Using a SAN as Network Attached Storage8.11. iSCSI: An Alternative Method
9.1. Understanding Backup9.2. Understanding SAN Backup9.2.1. The backup window9.2.2. Tape drives9.2.3. Tape libraries9.2.4. Backup policy9.3. Choosing a Backup Solution9.3.1. Integrated tape drive in each server9.3.2. Backup over a corporate LAN to a tape drive connected to an independent backup server9.3.3. Backup over corporate network to robotic tape library connected to an independent backup server9.3.4. LAN-less backup to shared tape library over SAN9.3.5. Serverless backup to shared tape library through SAN9.3.6. Disk-to-disk backup9.3.7. Image copy and snapshots in the SAN9.3.8. SAN data replication/remote backup9.4. Determining How Long a Backup Will Take9.4.1. Determining backup speeds9.4.2. The formula for backup
10.1. The Uses of Point-in-Time Technology10.1.1. Make backups10.1.2. Make corruption-recovery images10.1.3. Save space10.1.4. The possibilities are endless10.2. Complete versus Metadata Copies10.3. Which PiT Type Should You Use?10.4. Creating a PiT Copy10.5. Managing Your Point-in-Time Copies10.5.1. Pair up your volumes10.5.2. Create the pairs10.5.3. Splitting the mirror, snapping a copy10.5.4. Doing a resync: Refresh and restore10.5.5. I need my data now!10.5.6. Using a PiT copy10.6. The Finer Points of PiT10.6.1. Guideline #1: Understand when to snap a copy10.6.2. Guideline #2: Keep your PiT pairs separated10.6.3. Guideline #3: Use the right disk storage for PiT copies10.6.4. Questions to ask your SAN vendors
11.1. Management: From Simple Networking to SANs11.2. SAN Management from the Ground Up11.2.1. Start small; think big11.2.2. Documentation is key11.3. Cable Management: Spaghetti, Anyone?11.3.1. Physical cable management11.3.2. Logical cable management11.4. Labeling Your Cables11.4.1. Data center coordinate system11.4.2. Standard naming convention11.4.3. Documenting the cable arrangements11.5. Using a SAN Management Framework11.5.1. Working with SAN management software11.5.2. Communicating in a common language11.5.3. Speaking the language yourself11.5.4. Putting everything together11.6. What SAN Management Gives You11.6.1. A bird's-eye view of your network11.6.2. Agent-based management11.6.3. Health monitoring11.6.4. Records of events11.6.5. Change management11.6.6. Predictions of problems11.7. Streamlining SAN Administration11.7.1. Step-by-step administration11.7.2. Using a framework11.8. Automating Your System: "SAN? Do You Read Me, SAN?"11.8.1. Backing up11.8.2. Managing database storage11.9. Providing a Service Level Agreement11.9.1. Simple versus complex SLAs11.9.2. Setting service levels11.10. Building a Storage Management Team11.10.1. SAN architects11.10.2. SAN engineers11.10.3. Monitoring team11.10.4. SLA and performance specialists11.10.5. Provisioning staff11.10.6. Planning for the future11.10.7. Common responsibilities
12.1. The Best Method: Prevention12.2. Troubleshooting Methodology12.2.1. Go with what you know12.2.2. Elementary, my dear Watson12.2.3. Didn't read the manual, did you?12.2.4. Build a golden configuration12.3. Typical Problem Types12.3.1. Obvious problems12.3.2. Phantom problems12.3.3. Continuous problems12.3.4. Catastrophic problems12.4. Example Scenarios12.4.1. Scenario #112.4.2. Scenario #212.4.3. Scenario #3
13.1. Understanding Data De-Duplication13.1.1. Benefits of data de-duplication13.1.2. How de-duplication works13.2. Data De-Duplication in the Datacenter13.2.1. The de-duplication vendors13.2.2. How data gets de-duplicated13.2.3. In-band versus out-of-band data de-duplication13.3. Using Data De-Duplication in a SAN13.3.1. Files: Honey, I shrunk the files13.3.2. Blocks: Been there, stored that13.3.3. What about hash collisions?13.4. Why Data De-Duplication Is Important13.5. When to Use Data De-Dupe (And When Not To)13.5.1. Applications for which data de-duplication makes sense13.5.2. Applications for which data de-duplication doesn't make sense13.6. De-Duplication in Action
14.1. Understanding What Continuous Data Protection Is14.2. How CDP Makes Storage Work Like a Database14.2.1. CDP data journaling14.2.2. Splitting the writes14.2.3. CDP makes everything different14.2.4. Sizing a CDP journal14.3. Best Practices for Storage When Configuring CDP Solutions14.4. The Truth about Near CDP and True CDP Solutions14.4.1. Example 1: Recovering a database with traditional backup14.4.2. Example 2: Recovering a database from a snapshot14.4.3. Example 3: Recovering a database using near CDP14.4.4. Example 4: Recovering a database using true CDP14.5. CDP versus Snapshots14.6. Using CDP to Eliminate Backups14.7. Using CDP to Simplify Recovery and Reduce Costs14.8. Knowing Your CDP Vendor
15.1. Understanding What Virtualization Is15.2. Exploring the Types of Virtualization15.3. Implementing Virtualization in a Datacenter15.3.1. Server virtualization15.3.2. Storage virtualization15.4. In-Band versus Out-of-Band Virtualization15.4.1. In-band virtualization15.4.2. Out-of-band virtualization15.5. The Virtualization Vendors and Where They Play15.5.1. Host-based storage virtualization vendors15.5.2. Fabric-based virtualization storage vendors15.5.3. Storage-array-based virtualization
16.1. You Want Better Disk Utilization16.2. You Need a Good Disaster Recovery Solution for Multiple Applications16.3. You Need Better Availability for Your Applications16.4. You Need More Storage Room16.5. Backup Is Taking Too Long16.6. You're Focusing on Server and Storage Consolidation16.7. You've Been Tasked to Save Your Company Money16.8. You Need to Manage Storage for Many Locations from a Central Site16.9. You Need to Decrease IT Management Costs16.10. You Need Better Performance for Your Applications
17.1. You Need Larger File Servers17.2. You Only Have a Few Inexpensive Servers17.3. You Want to Save Your Company Money This Year17.4. You Want to Use the Latest and Greatest Solutions Available17.5. You Need a Disaster-Recovery Solution for a Single Application17.6. You Want a SAN but Don't Have the Budget17.7. You Use Gigabit Ethernet on Your LAN17.8. Everything Already Runs Fine17.9. You Need to Back Up Multiple Remote Offices over Slow Links17.10. You Need to Replicate Your Data for Disaster Recovery but Can't Afford Fast WAN Connections

Content preview from Storage Area Networks For Dummies®

Part IV. SAN Management and Troubleshooting

In this part ...

Now that you've built this monster (the SAN) and set it loose on your village (the user community), how do you keep track of it and make sure that it's playing nice? The answer: SAN management — the art of monitoring, maintaining, and documenting your SAN's behavior.

This part also covers the methodical but not impossible task of tracking down and eliminating gremlins — also known as troubleshooting. The step-by-step troubleshooting process we follow is much like the steps that are covered in Part II when building the SAN. But here we reverse the process and take the SAN apart to discover how to determine what is broken with a previously healthy SAN.

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ISBN: 9780470385135Purchase book

Storage Area Networks For Dummies®

by Christopher Poelker, Alex Nikitin

Part IV. SAN Management and Troubleshooting

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

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Part IV. SAN Management and Troubleshooting

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,and much more.

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Introduction to Storage Area Networks

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Publisher Resources

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.