What are Backup Systems?

Data storage networks have five basic components:
1. Servers - Hardware
2. Data storage network infrastructure - Hardware
3. Disk storage - Hardware
4. Tape storage - Hardware
5. Management software

1. Servers

Multiple servers from different manufacturers and running on different operating systems can be connected to a data storage network. The number of servers and operating systems you need will determine the nature and cost of your storage network solution. The most common and proven way to connect a server to a storage network is fiber optic media. A special fiber channel server adapter card is used in the cabling. Called the Host Bus Adapter (HBA), this card plugs into any expansion (PCI) slot on the server.

Servers can have a single or double connection to the data storage network. Dual connection largely eliminates problems that may arise from wiring or hardware failure. Performance is further enhanced if both storage network connections are used simultaneously.

Benefits:

Increases the server's ability to access data in case of failure.
Allows multiple servers to share data storage for higher throughput.
It allows you to use the server structure more efficiently and flexibly.
2. Data storage network infrastructure

The foundations of any data storage network infrastructure are the hardware, cabling, and software components that enable data to move within that network. These are collectively known as the data storage mesh fabric (fabric). (It is often pictured as a cloud.) The foundations of the storage network fabric are formed by the server adapter (HBA) and fiber channel switches (SAN Switch) that connect servers and storage devices on the network. The switches also ensure that data moves back and forth between the correct devices as efficiently as possible and intelligently bypasses problematic connections. When switches are interconnected in what is known as cascading, it increases the number of connections that can be made within the storage network.

Benefits:

It creates a high-performance and flexible infrastructure that can be easily changed or expanded as your needs change or increase.

3. Disk storage

It is done by data storage systems (also known as RAID systems). These are the devices that servers access to access and store data. Data is written to each RAID-configured disk drive on the storage system, thus protecting against individual disk failures. Typical benefits of a modern data storage system are:

High level of fault tolerance
Modular structure providing flexible growth in capacity and performance
Common use for different servers running different operating systems

Benefits:

Consolidating your data in a storage system increases the efficiency and availability of your disk space resources.
It significantly reduces the management and monitoring burden.

4. Tape storage

Storage networks can provide high-speed, direct fiber channel connectivity between each server's storage system and a tape backup library. This means that the local network will no longer be used to move data in the backup and restore process, thus improving performance for services and users on the local network. This type of tape storage application is referred to as a LAN-free backup solution.

Benefits:

More information can be protected in less time.
Performance deficiencies seen in the backup process are largely eliminated.
All backup can be managed from one place.

5. Management software

Perhaps the most important and most overlooked component of data storage networks is management software. These softwares

It provides configuration and optimization of data storage network components.
It monitors the data storage network and reports areas of concern or potential malfunctions.
It redirects information to avoid potential problems in the data storage network infrastructure.
It automates time-consuming tasks such as data protection.
Provides usage statistics.
Storage network management software can also add special functionality, such as viewing and managing (virtualization) all storage resources as a single virtual pool, wherever they are located.

Benefits:

It automatically monitors and manages the entire data storage infrastructure. In this way, it reduces the resources required for management.
It increases the ability and continuity of access to data.

The advanced server network provides a tiered server environment for up to 250 users, allowing businesses operating in multiple locations to communicate securely and access servers containing multiple applications and backend databases with shared repositories. With a wireless router or wireless access point, users can operate wireless devices. Remote locations offer access to dedicated local servers as well as mail office servers and applications.