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Figure 1-2 depicts a sample multiple switch storage consolidation configuration in which multiple
servers communicate with storage devices and zoning is incorporated. The zoning in Figure 1-2
might be set up to configure a multiple operating system environment. For example, Zone 1 might
be Windows-based, Zone 2 might be Linux-based, and Zone 3 might be Unix-based. Zoning can
also be used to improve security by masking storage devices or files. For example, a finance
department could secure financial files from viewing by the engineering department, which in turn
could secure engineering files from viewing by the finance department.
Tape Library Consolidation
Another switch application is the consolidation of multiple tape libraries attached to individual
servers into a single library for all servers for backup and restore purposes.
Benefits include:
•
Improved cost effectiveness.
•
Improved availability for performing system backups:
•
Off-LAN System Backups often reduce the amount of time it takes backups (and
recovery) to occur because SANs run at higher performance bandwidth than LANs.
•
Server-less backups enable applications to remain fully active during backup and
recovery processes, when combined with the appropriate backup software
solution.
Figure 1-3 depicts a sample tape library consolidation configuration.
Figure 1-3: Before consolidation, backup and restore
data must travel on the LAN, congesting traffic and
operating at slow speeds.
After consolidation, backup and
restore data travels on the high speed
SAN separate from LAN traffic.
