Storage Networking & Virtualization

This set of flashcards provides key vocabulary and concepts related to storage networking, virtualization, and data management.

Storage Networking Protocols

Communication standards used to transfer data between servers and storage devices over a network.

Fibre Channel (FC)

A high-speed protocol used in Storage Area Networks (SAN) environments.

iSCSI

A protocol that transfers SCSI commands over IP networks.

NFS (Network File System)

Used in Network Attached Storage (NAS) for file-level access.

CIFS/SMB

A protocol used mainly in Windows-based NAS systems.

Host-based Storage Virtualization

Involves virtualization software running on the host server with storage managed at the server level.

Network-based Storage Virtualization

Occurs at the network level using appliances or switches, pooling storage centrally.

Advantages of NAS

Easy installation, centralized file sharing, scalable storage, cost-effective, supports backup and recovery.

Disadvantages of NAS

Network dependency, lower performance compared to SAN, unsuitable for high I/O applications.

SAN Components

Includes Host/Server, HBA, SAN Switches, Storage Arrays, and Cables.

RAID

Redundant Array of Independent Disks that combines multiple disks for improved performance and data protection.

Storage Virtualization

Abstracts physical storage and presents it as a single logical unit.

Storage as a Service (STaaS)

A cloud-based storage model where storage is provided on-demand over a network.

Structured Data

Organized in a fixed format, stored in rows and columns, and follows a predefined schema.

Semi-Structured Data

Does not follow a rigid structure but contains tags or markers to organize data.

Unstructured Data

Lacks a predefined format or structure, making it difficult to store and analyze.

Information-Centric Storage Architecture

Focuses on managing data as a shared resource across multiple applications.

Zoning in SAN

A security mechanism used to control communication between devices in a SAN.

Cache Management System

Manages cache memory in storage systems to improve performance.