Storage Servers

Storage servers are simply how they sound; they are servers that store all of your data. A storage server can store files, pictures, documents, and other important data that is critical to your business. While personal computer users and businesses can use a storage server, storage servers are highly used by small and medium sized businesses. Many businesses and IT professionals use storage servers for the following:

• Cloud computing
• Clustering
• Virtualization
• File and data sharing

Storage servers: The difference between a storage server and a regular server

Many people usually confuse a storage server with a regular server. The difference between storage servers and regular servers is this: A regular server, such as a rack mount server also known as a rack server performs many functions, while a storage server has a primary function, which is to share information and back up data. Storage servers are usually stand alone units, however, you may be able to purchase a storage box, and server box and connect them together. They usually provide the following:

• Storage management
• Extra hardware
• RAID configurations
• Extra network connections

Storage server: Discover the benefits of a storage server

When you are running a business that relies on important data, it's very important that you have a system in place to protect your data, and back it up if necessary. A storage server provides the extra security you need to ensure your business runs smoothly. The many benefits of having a storage server include:

• Data backup
• Flexibility
• Minimize costs
• Reliability
• Expandability
• Power usage

Storage Servers: NAS vs. Sans- which is best for your needs?

There are many different types of storage servers on the market. Deciding on which storage server is right for you, depends on your needs and the function of your business. Some of the factors that you can look at before buying a storage server include but is not limited to:

• Your budget
• They type of files you need to store
• The I/O loads and patterns
• Maintenance and management costs of your storage server

Depending on your business needs, you may choose a NAS or a SAN. What's the difference between the two?

A NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a separate device with a wide array of disk storage that plugs in easily to a network and provides access to multiple servers. Its features include:

• Network appliances consisting of a hard drive or hard drive array
• It's configured for file sharing
• It has file level data storage connected directly to a network
• It lets you add more storage or perform maintenance, without shutting down

A SAN (Storage Area Network) is a combination of storage devices that are designed to act as a single device. Its features include:

• Servers can access data stored on network devices
• It has a dedicated network of multiple arrays
• Protects important and confidential information

Storage servers: Understanding important terms when researching storage servers

When you are on the market for a storage server or storage servers, these are common functions you should look for to help you determine which type of storage server is better suited for your needs.

Fault tolerance – Simply measures how equipped your storage server is to handle unexpected or hardware or software failure. If your storage server fails, you want to know how quickly your server can recover. Luckily, many fault-tolerant systems have the ability to perform certain functions on two or more duplicate systems. This term is known as mirroring, and it's beneficial in case of an unexpected system crash.

Throughput – The name is self-explanatory, it determines the amount of data transferred from one place to another. For example, data transfer rates for disk drives and networks are measured this way.

JBOD (Just a bunch of disks) – The name is also exactly how it sounds. JBOD is exactly that: Just a bunch of hard disks that are combined to create one large virtual hard drive. This process improves performance and fault tolerance.

RAID- (Redundant Array of Independent or Inexpensive Disks) – They primarily have the same function as JBOD; however, they employ two or more hard drives and improve performance and fault tolerance. There are different types of RAID, the 4 most used types of RAID are level 0, Level 1, level 3, level 5 . Of course each level has its own unique function. For example, Level 5 provides data stripping, and Level 0 and 3 reserves one dedicated disk for error correction and improves performance and fault tolerance.

Form factor, speed type – The form factor refers to the size of the storage server, while the speed type usually refers to how fast a device can read and write data. The speed is usually measured in Revolutions per minute (RPM).

Size (capacity) – Simply means the amount of information or data that the storage server can store. The amount of storage is measured in bytes; the different types of bytes include Megabyte (MB), Gigabyte (GB) and Terabyte (TB).

While the term storage serve applies, there are many different types of storage server solutions. The most common types of server storage solutions that you can use for your operational needs besides NAS and SAN include the following:

DAS (Direct Attached Storage) – This is usually a device that is attached directly to the server by a network cable.

Tape drive – This type of drive reads and writes data, which is usually written on removable tape and provides backup data.

When you are searching for a storage server, it's very important that you research all the primary functions that it offers to ensure you are getting exactly what you need. Whether you purchase a NAS, SAN or any type of storage server , you can rely on them to keep your data safe and secure while providing back-up solutions and improving performance of your organization overall. If you need further assistance, or would like to buy a storage server, call us now to find out more information.