In storage management we trust

When you think about storage management, the word "trust" might not be the first thing that pops into your mind. But users place their trust in IT to keep their data safe and unaltered and to ensure that it is available when they need it, writes Rich Schiesser in his recently published book, "IT Systems Management."

In a chapter on storage management, Schiesser writes that making the most of storage devices means not only being able to retrieve the maximum amount of data at an acceptable speed, but also having sufficient--but not excess--storage space left over. Capacity and performance, as well as reliability and recoverability, are the four essential elements of storage management.

Schiesser offers ways to optimize the use of storage devices, beginning with a capacity planning process to identify major space requirements before they develop. Another optimization method involves monitoring disk space regularly to detect unanticipated data expansion and fragmentation and to discover data that lies dormant for a long time. There are numerous programs to facilitate the monitoring, but the process is more important than the tools, Schiesser advises.

To optimize performance, organizations can take advantage of two advances in storage configuration: Storage Area Networks (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS). With SAN, a fiber optic switch is located between desk arrays and servers, enhancing speed and flexibility. With NAS, a network allows data sharing between processors and storage devices.

For more:
- read this chapter on storage management in "IT Management Systems" via InformationWeek

Related Articles:
Startup unveils 'cloud storage gateway'
Storage startup offers a path to private cloud