SAN backup : SAN Storage Nodes VS "standard" Storage Node 2

[lor]

What is the exact definition and purpose of a SAN Storage Node versus "Standard" Storage Node ?
My understanding is that if a tape library is attached to a SAN, any system on the SAN can use it.
i.e A "standard" Storage Node can use it to back-up it's own data and client's data.
My understanding is that Storage node data would flow from SAN disks to the Storage Node and then to the tape library i.e data stays in the fiber network.
On the contrary, Storage Node clients data would at one point flow on the LAN IP network to reach Storage Node and then on fiber network to reach SAN attached tape library.

Would someone be able to clarify SAN SN definition and role ?
Thank you.

 

[notthehoople]

Hi lor,

Assuming an environment already has a NetWorker backup server elsewhere in the environment........

A SAN Storage Node is basically a machine which backs up itself to tape storage which is directly connected to itself - there is no IP network traffic involved. The connection to tape storage can be via SCSI or Fibre Channel.

A Storage Node is a machine which backs up itself as well as other clients across the network. Again it will tape storage connected to itself, either via SCSI or Storage Node.

So, for example, a server with its own DAT interal tape drive which will only backup itself is licensed as a SAN Storage Node. Also, a server which has a fibre connection to a tape device across a SAN which will also only backup itself is licensed as a SAN Storage Node. Any machine which backs up other clients as well as itself is a Storage Node.

Hope this helps!

Mark

 

[wallace88]

If you want to learn about SAN's, go to San Academy at:

http://www.sanacademy.com/

This site is offered by Legato, and it gives free online courses.

The following is the description from it's web page.

About SAN AcademySM

Legato SAN AcademySM is a series of free, on-line courses that explore the fundamentals and the technical aspects of storage area network (SAN) technology.

Legato SAN Academy delivers comprehensive, web-based lessons to help businesses and organizations worldwide understand, plan and deploy SAN technologies.

SANs are here, and they’re radically changing storage-management strategies for the foreseeable future. The question is: How are you going to respond? You need good information to answer that question—the kind of information Legato’s SAN Academy is designed to provide.

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[lasteve]

SAN Storage Nodes back only themselves up across a SAN or locally, depending on what your requirements are. If you have a server with an internal drive, you can make that a regular storage node capable of backing up other clients. If, however you want that storage node to only back itself up, then you can make it a SAN storage node. The difference is price. Since in a SAN environment you have the capability of having many storage nodes, Legato (and others as well) have taken away the functionality of backing up other clients and lowered the price, so SAN storage nodes are cheaper than regular storage nodes. Hope this helps.

 

[lor]

Thank you all for your replies.
After futher reading, I came to the same conclusion as "lasteve" which is mainly pricing and the hability to backup clients or not.
Your replies confirms.
Thanks again.