SMB data storage management tutorial

Table of contents
iSCSI SANs for SMBs
Fibre Channel versus iSCSI SANs: Reliability and performance
Fibre Channel and iSCSI SAN cost and scalability
Questions to ask when outsourcing backup
SAN storage management tips in 2009 for SMBs
SMB data storage management news

iSCSI SANs for SMBs

SMBs that are discovering the limitations of direct-attached storage (DAS) are increasingly turning to iSCSI SANs. An iSCSI SAN is often easier to implement versus a Fibre Channel SAN, and many iSCSI SAN packages come with advanced features such as replication, snapshots, data deduplication and thin provisioning.

For example, eDirect Impact Inc., a service provider specializing in ediscovery, has 100 TB of iSCSI storage and is in the process of doubling it to 200 TB. "By next year, we could go to 300TB," said Sami Rahman, CEO.

The iSCSI SAN was easy to install and trouble-free, prompting the firm to install an iSCSI SAN in each of its seven locations. "What we liked about iSCSI is the flexibility. It didn't require us to change our infrastructure. We didn't want to add more technology, like FC [Fibre Channel]. We just wanted to use what we had. And iSCSI gives us good performance," said Rahman.

Read this article to learn more about eDirect Impact's iSCSI SAN and why iSCSI SANs for SMBs are becoming popular for SMBs.

Fibre Channel versus iSCSI SANs: Reliability and performance

Fibre Channel SANs are generally considered to be more reliable than iSCSI SANs. But does the cost and complexity of implementing a Fibre Channel SAN outweigh its performance benefits? Read this article to learn about the pros and cons of Fibre Channel and iSCSI SANs.

Fibre Channel and iSCSI SAN cost and scalability

When extreme performance isn't required, iSCSI may be a better option than Fibre Channel. iSCSI is less expensive to set up, and is more scalable than Fibre Channel. In part 2 of our series on Fibre Channel and iSCSI SANs, learn about the cost and scalability options for iSCSI SANs

In addition, click here to print out a chart that quickly details the important differences between Fibre Channel and iSCSI SANs.

Questions to ask when outsourcing backup

Data backup is still the No. 1 pain point for storage administrators in shops of all sizes. It's no wonder many SMBs are outsourcing backup and turning to Software as a Service (SaaS)/online backup. But before you sign on the dotted line with any online backup vendor, be sure to check out this article to find out what you need to know about outsourcing backup. Click here to read our article about questions you should ask your vendor before outsourcing backup.

SAN storage management tips in 2009 for SMBs

Greg Schulz, the founder of the StorageIO Group and author of the books "Resilient Storage Networks -- Designing Flexible Scalable Data Infrastructures" and "The Green and Virtual Data Center," shares his predictions for the biggest SAN storage management tips in 2009 for SMBs. They include increasing productivity without degrading service in a down economy, addressing data loss, and integrating removable disk drives in data backup operations.

Click here to read the rest of Greg's SAN management tips in 2009 for SMBs.

SMB data storage management news

In the past few months, there's been several new products announcements concerning SMB storage management. DataCore Software Corp. is offering 500 GB and 1 TB versions of its HA SAN Starter kits at a lower price to appeal to smaller shops and storage networking giant Cisco Systems Inc. launched two networked file storage devices for SMBs: the NSS2000 and NSS3000.

To keep up to date on the latest SMB data storage management news, click here to bookmark our special section on SMB storage management tips, trends and expert advice.

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