Network Attached Storage

NAS vs SAN vs CLOUD

The Name of the Class

Professor

The Name of the School

City or State

The Date

Letter of Transmittal

Dear Sir/Madam

As required by the professor, I have prepared a report examining the application of Network Attached Systems, Storage Area Networks and Cloud systems. The main goal of this report is to present concrete findings that are based on research. The report also provides recommendations on the best system that organizations should adopt.

The report notes that organizations may choose their preferred system by considering various factors such as size and nature of the organization. In addition, cost is an important factor in deciding the most suitable system.

Yours Sincerely

Executive Summary

There are been a lot of debate among organizations on the adoption of technologies in the future business framework. Currently, there are numerous organizations utilizing the tradition 2 tier client server. However, most organizations aim at moving to modern solutions such as Network Attached Storage, Storage Area Networks and Cloud solutions. There are three types of cloud system namely private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. A hybrid cloud system integrates private cloud, public cloud, and on-premises cloud. Notably, there are advantages and disadvantages of using every single system. However, the choice of application mainly depends on the size, and nature of the enterprise. The report recommends that enterprises across the world should consider using hybrid clouds due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, they enable organizations to access potential markets faster as compared to other systems. In addition, they ensure increased data security in organizations.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u Network Attached Storage PAGEREF _Toc480882768 h 5Limitations of Using NAS storage in Organizations PAGEREF _Toc480882769 h 6Storage Area Network PAGEREF _Toc480882770 h 6Benefits of Using Storage Area Network PAGEREF _Toc480882771 h 7Storage Area Network Key Considerations PAGEREF _Toc480882772 h 7Security PAGEREF _Toc480882773 h 8Uptime and Availability PAGEREF _Toc480882774 h 8Disaster Recovery PAGEREF _Toc480882775 h 8Difference between private, public, and Hybrid Cloud PAGEREF _Toc480882776 h 9Private Cloud PAGEREF _Toc480882777 h 9Public Cloud PAGEREF _Toc480882778 h 9Hybrid Cloud System PAGEREF _Toc480882779 h 10Recommendations PAGEREF _Toc480882780 h 10

Network Attached StorageNetwork attached storage refers to a device that is used to store files. Notably, it offers Local Area Network nodes and shared files storage using an Ethernet connection. In most cases, Network Attached Storage devices do not have a display or a keyboard. They are managed and configured using a utility program. Each of the Network Attached storage stays on a Local Area Network as a sole network node carrying its own Internet Protocol address. Network attached storage has several benefits. Firstly, it offers multiple clients access to files. Before the development of the devices, organizations contained several files servers that were configured and maintained separately. However, in the current business environment, Network Attached Storage appliances may be clustered together or fitted with large disks in order to offer horizontal scalability and vertical scalability. Most of the Network Attached Storage vendors in the market today partner with cloud storage providers in order to offer clients with an additional redundancy layer for creating file back up.

Network Attached Storage may be used domestically or in businesses. In the home environment, the device is used for serving and storing multimedia files for back-ups. In the business environment, Network Attached Storage is used for disaster recovery and archiving backup. In addition, NAS devices containing server mode may function as a multimedia, print, email and data base server for small enterprises. These devices are mostly used in small enterprises due to various reasons. Firstly, they can be simply operated thereby eliminating the need of an IT profession. Secondly, they can easily back up data and ensure data is always available to user whenever he or she needs it. Thirdly, they are excellent in centralizing data in a reliable and safe way. In addition, they are cost effective as compared to other storage devices. Advanced Network Attached Systems may support enough disks that may be used to implement RAID, a high-end technology that transforms several hard disks to a single logical unit so as to offer high availability, better performance, and redundancy.

Network Attached Storage ensures that data is always accessible. As a result, this makes it easy for employees in an organization to collaborate, and address clients in a timely fashion. In addition, the device makes it easy for organization management to monitor sales and other organization issues since information can be accessed in a single location. Since Network Attached Storage functions like a private cloud, employees may work from any geographical location and at any time. Network Attached Storage devices may be grouped into three major groups depending on the drive support, number of drives, drive capacity and scalability. These categories include High-end NAS, midmarket NAS, and Low-end NAS. High-end NAS is used by organizations that require large files such as virtual machine images. Notably, high-end NAS offer NAS clustering and rapid access capabilities. Midmarket NAS is used by enterprises that require numerous terabytes of data. Enterprises cannot cluster this category. However, it can generate file silos when operators require several NAS devices. Low-end NAS is used by home users and small enterprises that utilize local shared storage.

Limitations of Using NAS storage in OrganizationsNetwork Attached Storage has several advantages as compared to other convention storage devices. However, it has a few limitations. The main limitation of using the devices is that is operates on the Linux file system. In case of machine failure or power loss, an individual requires assistance from professional data recovery personnel or software. The second limitation of the system is that it does not allow end-users to backup data directly. Notably, they are required to perform the task using installed operating system (Biffnas, 2016, 1).

Storage Area NetworkStorage Area Network refers to a high-speed network that is used by enterprises to interconnect shared storage devices into numerous servers. A storage Area Networks carries storage resources from the common user network and later re-arranges them into high performance and independent network. This enables to all servers to view shared storage like it was a driver that had been attached directly to the server. Notably, a Storage Area Network is assembled through the application of three major components namely Host Bus Adapters, cabling, and switches. Storage Area Network vendors must ensure that all storage systems and switches are interconnected. Moreover, the physical connection is supposed to support high bandwidth levels for peak activities (Rouse, 2015, 1).

Organizations manage Storage Area Networks centrally. In most cases, Fiber Channel Storage Area Networks based solutions are expensive and very difficult to manage. However, the development of iSCSI has significantly minimized these challenges by incorporating SCSI commands into simpler IP Packets that can be transmitted through Ethernet connection instead of a Fiber Channel connection. Organizations today may use their existing infrastructure and knowledge for both Storage Area Networks and Local Area Networks instead of managing to separate networks.

Benefits of Using Storage Area NetworkOne of the major benefits of the Storage Area Network over Network Attached Storage is high performance. Devices in this network do not use local storage thereby enabling them to operate more smoothly. In addition, SAN servers use hard drives sparingly or fail to use them all together. As a result, the servers operate at cooler temperatures and consume reduced power. Secondly, Storage Area Network allow fast backup. Client operating systems view Storage Area Networks as attached storage thereby enabling fast backup. Ideally data from Storage Area Network travels. However, it allows transparency enabling data to be stored quickly. In addition, Storage Area Network is a distinct network that does not cause bottlenecks as compared to other networks.

Storage Area Network devices help organizations in disaster recovery. This is because it easy for organizations to replicate data from primary locations to offline Storage Area Networks. Organizations may replicate data within a short time and get their environment running rapidly. This is a major advantage since downtime is usually very expensive. Another benefit of Storage Area Network over Network Attached System is better redundancy. The device servers function as one server thereby ensuring that an individual does not access one device. In cases where one of the servers fails, the other servers in the network step up in order to pick up the slack. The redundancy level is not available in other storage solutions (Towle, 2015, 1).

Storage Area Network Key ConsiderationsEnterprises choosing the best Storage Area Network designs have to consider several factors such as scalability, uptime needs, security and disaster recovery. An efficient Storage Area Network device should be able to house client’s storage requirements. In addition, it should be scalable in order to allow customers to upgrade the system in order to fit their needs. Clients consider the scalability of Storage Area Network by reviewing several aspects such as speed, number of supported devices, and storage capacity. Storage Area Network switch connects servers one side and storage devices on the other side. As a result, the number of ports can significantly affect both speed and storage capacity. Switches may increase bandwidth to SAN servers by enabling ports to support numerous connections to all the servers. Clients should also ensure that they have sufficient ports for connections and units that clients might need to add within the Storage Area Network lifespan. Clients should also consider thin provisioning of data storage feature when selecting SAN. Notably, the feature tricks the system server to think that the logical unit number has more space than it actually does. Thin provisioning enable vendors to effectively plan for growth without the client purchasing all storage hardware required. It also enables vendors to overbook the Storage Area Network storage since it has a greater Logic Unit Number than SAN (Shavit, 2008, 2).

SecurityMost of the servers in the market today share similar physical hardware. As a result, it is important for the client to consider other specifications such as security. Storage Area Network clients seek to purchase servers that have sufficient data security. SAN vendors should ensure that they have maximum security for iSCSI to prevent hackers from accessing the system and obtain important data.

Most of the Storage Area Network security takes place at the device’s switch level. Zoning enables client to grant some specified servers access to some Logic Unit Number, in the same way firewall enables communication of some ports in an Internet Protocol address. SAN vendors should also ensure that virtual machines are only access their specific Logic Unit Number for clients using SAN virtual servers.

Uptime and AvailabilityThere are numerous servers that rely on Storage Area Network for data. As a result, vendors should ensure that the system is very reliable without points of failure. Most of the Storage Area Network vendors in the market offer SANs that are redundant in all units such as internal controllers, dual power supplies, and emergency batteries. However, clients ensure that redundancy in available to all servers.

Each storage device in a Storage Area Network connects to its switch, which in turn connects to servers that require to access data. Clients should purchase two switches from SAN vendors to eliminate failure in the data path. Using such a connection ensures that SAN software jumps over the other switch after one of the switch fails to function. Most of the advanced SANs used in large corporations connects to the switch automatically. However, there are cheaper SANs that need the user to operate them manually.

Another technique that SAN users can apply to ensure availability is RAID technology. Notably, RAID technology applies the striping technique by spreading data among numerous disks. In addition, RAIB technology increase parity checks that ensure disk contents can be extracted from other disks after one of the disks fails. The most common RAIDS in Storage Area Networks include 5, 6 and 1+0.

Disaster RecoveryStorage Area Network stores huge amounts of data. As a result, SAN vendors should ensure that they installed disaster recovery into the SAN system. SAN vendors may set the system to send data to a disaster recovery location situated far away from the system. In addition, clients can install mirroring into SAN design by replicating it either asynchronously or synchronously. Synchronous mirroring refers to the process where data is copied to the primary Storage Area Network. The coped data must be verified by the secondary SAN before copying data again. Although the system ensures that both primary Storage Area Network and secondary Storage Area Network acts as true mirrors, it slows down the system since data has to wait for verification from the secondary SAN. The bottle-neck effect can be counteracted by asynchronous mirroring (Shavit, 2008, 1).

Difference between private, public, and Hybrid CloudAll cloud system enables enterprises to access various computing resources such as digital storage and customer relationship management. However, the application of these systems mainly depends on the cloud system chosen by a particular enterprise. Notably, enterprises are different from each other and therefore require different tools to support their operations. Private, public, and hybrid clouds deliver these tools in special ways. The decision to choose one of these cloud system mainly depends on business needs. For instance, small enterprises that are entirely office based may opt to use hybrid cloud system consisting of clod based communication, and customer equipments. On the other hand, mobile companies may leap maximum benefit from cloud systems that do not rely on the physical location of the enterprise. The main objective of cloud systems to offer enterprises cost effective, easy and fast access to IT technology that they require to prosper in performing their duties.

Private CloudPrivate cloud refers to a computing environment that is operated and owned by an Information and Technology services provider. Notably, the providers lease private cloud resources to its clients. This implies that enterprises are not required to share their web services with other enterprises. The main benefit of utilizing a private clod is that enterprises have increased control of their assets and resources. However, private cloud systems are difficult to support. In addition, they are time-consuming. As a result, most enterprises outsource management of the private cloud to experienced service providers in order to reap maximum benefits from the system. Private clouds enable clients to deliver their Information and Communication Technology services from a single provider in order to have their print services, emails, files, telephony, and collaboration messages distributed from the private cloud (Goyal, 2014, 23).

Public Cloud

The public cloud refers to online services that can be accessed by enterprises as well as their clients. Examples of these services include Amazon Web Service, OneDrive, Drop and Gmail. Public cloud offer organizations more services than private cloud. An individual may choose to host their respective websites with Amazon Web Services, share files with OneDrive and email clients with Gmail. The approach mainly suits small enterprises since it is difficult to manage it in large organizations that many employees to collaborate in order to meet certain objectives.

The main limitation of the public cloud is that it is difficult to manage. Most of the public cloud providers from across the world are working extremely hard to counteract these limitations in order to make public clouds appealing to organizations. However, clients subscribing to several services from several public clouds are likely to experience difficulties in managing access. In addition, public clouds can potentially result in security risks in enterprises. This is because it enables clients to access the public clod services and store crucial information in other locations that cannot be controlled and supervised by the organization.

Hybrid Cloud SystemHybrid clod system incorporates resources from private cloud, on-premises, and public cloud. Notably, organizations may use several public clouds or private clouds to develop a hybrid cloud system and enable it to access services from various vendors. There are some business environments where high speed internet is either unavailable or very costly to install and maintain. Organizations operating in such areas may use hybrid approach since it minimizes internet connection demand.

Hybrid Cloud System is extremely important in large enterprises aiming to explore the scalability and flexibility of the public cloud. In addition, hybrid systems may help organizations that are worried about the security of sensitive data stored in the public cloud. Organizations may easily convince Information Technology staffs or internal executives to experiment various clouds solutions than incorporating them fully. Maintaining high skilled and highly experienced Information Technology experts while incorporating new business lines is an inexpensive solution that also ensures institutional security.

RecommendationsI would recommend organizations to use hybrid cloud systems for several reasons. Firstly, hybrid clod systems are more secure as compared to other storage systems. Public cloud systems are more susceptible to security threats since data can be accessed by clients. Some of the security measures of the hybrid cloud system is system design logical protection, safety precautions, and secure physical infrastructure.

The second advantage of hybrid cloud systems is improved connectivity. Organizations may experience network performance hiccups when transferring business components to the cloud. This issue becomes even more complicated during peak traffic hours. However, cloud systems eliminate this problem by leveraging connectivity solutions to ensure bandwidth between cloud and premise locations thereby improving connectivity by minimizing distance latency. The main determine of organization success is speed to access potential markets. Notably, business in the current era require ability to test business environments, prototype, and introduce new products to the market. Hybrid cloud system enable resources to be introduced in automated at improved speeds. This ensures that organizations re not limited by their Information Technology foot print. Enterprises using hybrid systems are more likely to achieve massive business success as compared to their competitors using different systems.

References

Biffnas., 2016. Network Attached Storage (NAS) Review: Pros and Cons. [Online] Available at: <http://www.bffnas.com/network-attached-storage-nas-overview-on-its-pros-and-cons/>.[Accessed on 25 April, 2017]

Goyal, S. (2014). Public vs Private vs Hybrid vs Community -Cloud Computing: A Critical Review. [Online] <Available at: http://www.mecs-press.org/ijcnis/ijcnis-v6-n3/IJCNIS-V6-N3-3.pdf.> [Accessed on 25 April, 2017]

Rouse, M. (2015). Storage Area Network, 2015. [Online] Available at: <http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/storage-area-network-SAN>[Accessed on 25 April, 2017]

Rouse, M., 2015. Network-attached storage (NAS). [Online] Available at: <http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/network-attached-storage> [Accessed on 25 April, 2017]

Shavit, Y. (2008). Key considerations in developing a storage area network design. [Online] Available at: <http://searchitchannel.techtarget.com/feature/Key-considerations-in-developing-a-storage-area-network-design> [Accessed on 25 April, 2017]

Towle, S. (2015). SAN vs NAS: What’s right for you? [Online] Available at: <http://ccbtechnology.com/san-vs-nas-whats-right-for-you/>[Accessed on 25 April, 2017]