Storage Area Networking [SAN] Components

While SAN Infrastructure & configurations can become very complex, a simple SAN setup includes three basic entities;

the host system or systems, the network and the storage devices.
1. Host or Server System(s):
• Application Software (e.g., SAN Management software)
• Middleware (e.g., Volume Manager or Host RAID)
• Operating System/File System
• Host Bus Adapter (HBA) Driver
• Host Bus Adapter (HBA)
• Host Bus Adapter Firmware
2. Storage Network/Communications Infrastructure:
• Physical Links
• Transceivers (e.g. SFPs)
• Switches and Switch Firmware
• Routers and Router Firmware
• Bridges or Extenders and their Firmware
• SAN Cables & Connectors
3. Storage Device(s)or Sub systems
• Interface Adapter
• Interface Adapter Driver/Firmware
• Storage Controller Firmware
• Storage Device (e.g., disk or tape)
• Storage Media

Note:
* Fibre Channel protocol based SAN (FC SAN) consists of Hosts with FC HBAs, FC Switches, FC Hubs, FC Routers, FC cables & Connectors and FC based Storage devices.
* Internet Protocol based SAN (iscsi SAN) consists of Hosts with iSCSI HBAs, Ethernet Switches, Ethernet Routers,Ethernet cables & Connectors and iSCSI based Storage devices.