Introduction to Storage Networking What is Storage Networking About?
What is a SAN? SNIA definition
“A network whose primary purpose is the transfer of data between computer systems and storage elements and among storage elements …. A SAN consists of a communication infrastructure, which provides physical connections, and a management layer, which organizes the connections, storage elements, and computer systems so that data transfer is secure and robust.”
The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) is a non-profit trade association dedicated to "ensuring that storage networks become complete and trusted solutions across the IT community” by: Sponsoring technical work groups Co-producing the Storage Networking World conference series Maintaining a vendor-neutral Technology Centre in Colorado Springs Promoting activities that expand the breadth and quality of the storage networking market
SNIAs definition of a SAN addresses information storage, information interconnects, and information logistics.