Solutions in this chapter:

• Looking at the Overall Lifecycle of a SAN

• Conducting Data Collection

• Analyzing the Collected Data

• Summary

• Solutions Fast Track

• Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

We intend this book to allow you to effectively design, implement, and maintain storage networks. Doing so requires an understanding of the processes in each of the seven phases of a SAN s lifecycle, and their relationships with each other. Without taking a moment to review the process from the highest level, it is easy to get lost in the details of SAN hardware.

In this chapter, we provide that high-level view. We show how the SAN design process is really an ongoing lifecycle. We take you through the process from the moment the decision is made to deploy a SAN, through releasing the SAN to production. Then we explain the extent to which the process should be repeated when upgrades and architectural changes are needed. We also provide detail on the first two parts of the lifecycle.

The processes presented here are derived from other areas of Information Technology (IT) and they are normal parts of any large-scale IT project. For example, when implementing a SAN, you should interview people who will have a key interest in the finished product the same is true when putting in a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Ares Network (WAN). Much of this material should be second nature to any IT network architect, Database Administrator (DBA), or senior systems administrator. For the more advanced users to...