So you need to set up a SAN? Here's how to design, implement, and manage one!

Whether you're a complete novice or you already have a bit of knowledge about storage area networks, this book is almost guaranteed to make your job easier. From the basics for beginners to advanced features like snapshot copies, storage virtualization, and heading off problems before they happen, here's what you need to do the job with confidence!

* Getting started - understand what SANs are, whether you need one, and what you need to build one
* Design basics - learn to use loops, switches, and the fabric layer, and design your SAN for peak performance
* No surprises - create a disaster-recovery plan with the appropriate guidelines and choose a remote site and data replication method
* SANs united - see how to connect or extend SANs and how compression can reduce costs
* Wait, back up - compare tape, disk, network, and SAN backup methods to choose the solution you need
* What if it breaks? - follow great troubleshooting tips to help you find and fix a problem
* De-dupe, de-dupe - find out how data de-duplication makes sense for backup, replication, and retention
* It's virtual - explore different types of virtualization and what they offer

Open the book and find:

* What RAID is and why it's important
* Issues to consider when planning your SAN
* A translation of all those pesky acronyms
* What to do when your server gets the hiccups
* How to use CDP and CDR
* What you should beware of with storage virtualization
* Hardware- and software-based copy solutions
* SAN best practices