Networked storage improves scalability: Storage devices can be scaled independently of servers. Storage media allocation can be adjusted quickly to suit changing business requirements. SANs offer the best scalability because they logically separate servers and storage.
Networked storage improves availability: Multiple points of access prevent one server failure from denying access to storage resources.
SANs provide the highest levels of availability through server clustering and through disaster-tolerant configurations in which data is replicated to multiple geographically dispersed locations.