Multiprotocol Routing for SANs

Multiprotocol Routing for SANs

Author: Josh Judd

Publisher: Infinity Publishing

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 383

ISBN-13: 0741423065

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Multiprotocol routers have been used in data networks for decades, but routers built specifically for Storage Area Networks (SANs) are a recent innovation. This book covers multiprotocol SAN routing in general and the Brocade SilkWorm Multiprotocol Router platform in particular. Multiprotocol SAN routers today usually provide three services: Fibre Channel to Fibre Channel routing, iSCSI to Fibre Channel bridging, and FCIP tunneling for distance extension. The subjects covered for each service include theory, usage cases, and advice on designing, implementing, and managing routed SANs. "Multiprotocol Routing for SANs" offers the first comprehensive look at this cutting-edge technology.


Book Synopsis Multiprotocol Routing for SANs by : Josh Judd

Download or read book Multiprotocol Routing for SANs written by Josh Judd and published by Infinity Publishing. This book was released on 2004 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Multiprotocol routers have been used in data networks for decades, but routers built specifically for Storage Area Networks (SANs) are a recent innovation. This book covers multiprotocol SAN routing in general and the Brocade SilkWorm Multiprotocol Router platform in particular. Multiprotocol SAN routers today usually provide three services: Fibre Channel to Fibre Channel routing, iSCSI to Fibre Channel bridging, and FCIP tunneling for distance extension. The subjects covered for each service include theory, usage cases, and advice on designing, implementing, and managing routed SANs. "Multiprotocol Routing for SANs" offers the first comprehensive look at this cutting-edge technology.


SAN Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

SAN Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

Author: Jon Tate

Publisher: IBM Redbooks

Published: 2006-11-09

Total Pages: 590

ISBN-13: 0738496987

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This IBM Redbooks publication supersedes both: IBM TotalStorage: Introduction to SAN Routing, SG24-7119-00 Implementing the IBM TotalStorage Multiprotocol Routers, SG24-7246-00 The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fuelled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For instance, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. This book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. It introduces you to the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System Storage SAN Routing portfolio. This book shows the features of each product and examples of how you can deploy and use them.


Book Synopsis SAN Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation by : Jon Tate

Download or read book SAN Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation written by Jon Tate and published by IBM Redbooks. This book was released on 2006-11-09 with total page 590 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This IBM Redbooks publication supersedes both: IBM TotalStorage: Introduction to SAN Routing, SG24-7119-00 Implementing the IBM TotalStorage Multiprotocol Routers, SG24-7246-00 The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fuelled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For instance, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. This book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. It introduces you to the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System Storage SAN Routing portfolio. This book shows the features of each product and examples of how you can deploy and use them.


SAN Multiprotocol Routing

SAN Multiprotocol Routing

Author: Jon Tate

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 584

ISBN-13:

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This IBM Redbooks publication supersedes both: IBM TotalStorage: Introduction to SAN Routing, SG24-7119-00 Implementing the IBM TotalStorage Multiprotocol Routers, SG24-7246-00 The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fuelled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For instance, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. This book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. It introduces you to the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System Storage SAN Routing portfolio. This book shows the features of each product and examples of how you can deploy and use them.


Book Synopsis SAN Multiprotocol Routing by : Jon Tate

Download or read book SAN Multiprotocol Routing written by Jon Tate and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 584 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This IBM Redbooks publication supersedes both: IBM TotalStorage: Introduction to SAN Routing, SG24-7119-00 Implementing the IBM TotalStorage Multiprotocol Routers, SG24-7246-00 The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fuelled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For instance, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. This book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. It introduces you to the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System Storage SAN Routing portfolio. This book shows the features of each product and examples of how you can deploy and use them.


IBM System Storage b-type Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

IBM System Storage b-type Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

Author: Jon Tate

Publisher: IBM Redbooks

Published: 2011-03-11

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 0738435325

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The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For instance, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. This IBM® Redbooks® publication targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. It introduces you to products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System StorageTM SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Brocade products and technology. This book shows the features of these products and examples of how you can deploy and use them.


Book Synopsis IBM System Storage b-type Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation by : Jon Tate

Download or read book IBM System Storage b-type Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation written by Jon Tate and published by IBM Redbooks. This book was released on 2011-03-11 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For instance, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. This IBM® Redbooks® publication targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. It introduces you to products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System StorageTM SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Brocade products and technology. This book shows the features of these products and examples of how you can deploy and use them.


IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

Author: Jon Tate

Publisher: IBM Redbooks

Published: 2009-03-09

Total Pages: 494

ISBN-13: 0738432024

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This IBM® Redbooks® publication introduces the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System StorageTM SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Cisco products and technology. It also discusses the features of each product, and offers examples of how you can deploy and use them. The book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For example, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. To derive the maximum benefit from this book, you should already be familiar with SANs. Otherwise, we recommend that you first read the following IBM Redbooks publications: IBM TotalStorage: SAN Product, Design, and Optimization Guide, SG24-6384 Introduction to Storage Area Networks, SG24-5470 Implementing an IBM/Cisco SAN, SG24-7545


Book Synopsis IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation by : Jon Tate

Download or read book IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation written by Jon Tate and published by IBM Redbooks. This book was released on 2009-03-09 with total page 494 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This IBM® Redbooks® publication introduces the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System StorageTM SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Cisco products and technology. It also discusses the features of each product, and offers examples of how you can deploy and use them. The book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For example, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. To derive the maximum benefit from this book, you should already be familiar with SANs. Otherwise, we recommend that you first read the following IBM Redbooks publications: IBM TotalStorage: SAN Product, Design, and Optimization Guide, SG24-6384 Introduction to Storage Area Networks, SG24-5470 Implementing an IBM/Cisco SAN, SG24-7545


IBM System Storage B-type Multiprotocol Routing

IBM System Storage B-type Multiprotocol Routing

Author: Jon Tate

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13:

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The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For instance, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. This IBM® Redbooks® publication targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. It introduces you to products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System Storage SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Brocade products and technology. This book shows the features of these products and examples of how you can deploy and use them.


Book Synopsis IBM System Storage B-type Multiprotocol Routing by : Jon Tate

Download or read book IBM System Storage B-type Multiprotocol Routing written by Jon Tate and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For instance, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. This IBM® Redbooks® publication targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. It introduces you to products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System Storage SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Brocade products and technology. This book shows the features of these products and examples of how you can deploy and use them.


IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

Author: Jon Tate

Publisher: IBM Redbooks

Published: 2009-03-09

Total Pages: 494

ISBN-13: 9780738432021

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This IBM® Redbooks® publication introduces the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System StorageTM SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Cisco products and technology. It also discusses the features of each product, and offers examples of how you can deploy and use them. The book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For example, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. To derive the maximum benefit from this book, you should already be familiar with SANs. Otherwise, we recommend that you first read the following IBM Redbooks publications: IBM TotalStorage: SAN Product, Design, and Optimization Guide, SG24-6384 Introduction to Storage Area Networks, SG24-5470 Implementing an IBM/Cisco SAN, SG24-7545


Book Synopsis IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation by : Jon Tate

Download or read book IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation written by Jon Tate and published by IBM Redbooks. This book was released on 2009-03-09 with total page 494 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This IBM® Redbooks® publication introduces the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System StorageTM SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Cisco products and technology. It also discusses the features of each product, and offers examples of how you can deploy and use them. The book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For example, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. To derive the maximum benefit from this book, you should already be familiar with SANs. Otherwise, we recommend that you first read the following IBM Redbooks publications: IBM TotalStorage: SAN Product, Design, and Optimization Guide, SG24-6384 Introduction to Storage Area Networks, SG24-5470 Implementing an IBM/Cisco SAN, SG24-7545


InfoWorld

InfoWorld

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2004-11-29

Total Pages: 64

ISBN-13:

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InfoWorld is targeted to Senior IT professionals. Content is segmented into Channels and Topic Centers. InfoWorld also celebrates people, companies, and projects.


Book Synopsis InfoWorld by :

Download or read book InfoWorld written by and published by . This book was released on 2004-11-29 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: InfoWorld is targeted to Senior IT professionals. Content is segmented into Channels and Topic Centers. InfoWorld also celebrates people, companies, and projects.


IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing

IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing

Author: Jon Tate

Publisher: IBM.Com/Redbooks

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages: 370

ISBN-13: 9780738485324

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Book Synopsis IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing by : Jon Tate

Download or read book IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing written by Jon Tate and published by IBM.Com/Redbooks. This book was released on 2008-01-01 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Introduction to Storage Area Networks

Introduction to Storage Area Networks

Author: Jon Tate

Publisher: IBM Redbooks

Published: 2018-10-09

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 0738442887

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The superabundance of data that is created by today's businesses is making storage a strategic investment priority for companies of all sizes. As storage takes precedence, the following major initiatives emerge: Flatten and converge your network: IBM® takes an open, standards-based approach to implement the latest advances in the flat, converged data center network designs of today. IBM Storage solutions enable clients to deploy a high-speed, low-latency Unified Fabric Architecture. Optimize and automate virtualization: Advanced virtualization awareness reduces the cost and complexity of deploying physical and virtual data center infrastructure. Simplify management: IBM data center networks are easy to deploy, maintain, scale, and virtualize, delivering the foundation of consolidated operations for dynamic infrastructure management. Storage is no longer an afterthought. Too much is at stake. Companies are searching for more ways to efficiently manage expanding volumes of data, and to make that data accessible throughout the enterprise. This demand is propelling the move of storage into the network. Also, the increasing complexity of managing large numbers of storage devices and vast amounts of data is driving greater business value into software and services. With current estimates of the amount of data to be managed and made available increasing at 60% each year, this outlook is where a storage area network (SAN) enters the arena. SANs are the leading storage infrastructure for the global economy of today. SANs offer simplified storage management, scalability, flexibility, and availability; and improved data access, movement, and backup. Welcome to the cognitive era. The smarter data center with the improved economics of IT can be achieved by connecting servers and storage with a high-speed and intelligent network fabric. A smarter data center that hosts IBM Storage solutions can provide an environment that is smarter, faster, greener, open, and easy to manage. This IBM® Redbooks® publication provides an introduction to SAN and Ethernet networking, and how these networks help to achieve a smarter data center. This book is intended for people who are not very familiar with IT, or who are just starting out in the IT world.


Book Synopsis Introduction to Storage Area Networks by : Jon Tate

Download or read book Introduction to Storage Area Networks written by Jon Tate and published by IBM Redbooks. This book was released on 2018-10-09 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The superabundance of data that is created by today's businesses is making storage a strategic investment priority for companies of all sizes. As storage takes precedence, the following major initiatives emerge: Flatten and converge your network: IBM® takes an open, standards-based approach to implement the latest advances in the flat, converged data center network designs of today. IBM Storage solutions enable clients to deploy a high-speed, low-latency Unified Fabric Architecture. Optimize and automate virtualization: Advanced virtualization awareness reduces the cost and complexity of deploying physical and virtual data center infrastructure. Simplify management: IBM data center networks are easy to deploy, maintain, scale, and virtualize, delivering the foundation of consolidated operations for dynamic infrastructure management. Storage is no longer an afterthought. Too much is at stake. Companies are searching for more ways to efficiently manage expanding volumes of data, and to make that data accessible throughout the enterprise. This demand is propelling the move of storage into the network. Also, the increasing complexity of managing large numbers of storage devices and vast amounts of data is driving greater business value into software and services. With current estimates of the amount of data to be managed and made available increasing at 60% each year, this outlook is where a storage area network (SAN) enters the arena. SANs are the leading storage infrastructure for the global economy of today. SANs offer simplified storage management, scalability, flexibility, and availability; and improved data access, movement, and backup. Welcome to the cognitive era. The smarter data center with the improved economics of IT can be achieved by connecting servers and storage with a high-speed and intelligent network fabric. A smarter data center that hosts IBM Storage solutions can provide an environment that is smarter, faster, greener, open, and easy to manage. This IBM® Redbooks® publication provides an introduction to SAN and Ethernet networking, and how these networks help to achieve a smarter data center. This book is intended for people who are not very familiar with IT, or who are just starting out in the IT world.