Data Management Glossary
Storage Array
A storage array is a type of data storage system that provides centralized, scalable storage for multiple computer systems. It typically consists of multiple disk drives, along with the hardware and software required to manage and control the disk storage.
Storage arrays can be used for a variety of purposes, including data backup and recovery (DR), data archiving, and as a shared storage resource for virtualized environments. They offer several benefits over traditional direct-attached storage (DAS) systems, including increased reliability, scalability, and performance.
Types of Storage Arrays
There are several types of storage arrays, including:
- Network Attached Storage (NAS): A NAS storage array provides file-level access to storage over a network.
- Storage Area Network (SAN): A SAN storage array provides block-level access to storage over a high-speed network.
- Hybrid Storage Array: A hybrid storage array combines the features of both NAS and SAN storage arrays and delivers a balance of file-level and block-level access to storage.
- All-Flash Storage Array: This type of storage array uses only solid-state drives (SSDs) for storage, rather than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). It provides extremely high performance and low latency, making it suitable for demanding applications such as database and virtualization environments.
Cloud Storage Arrays
The trend of storage arrays moving to the cloud has been growing in recent years, as organizations seek to leverage the benefits of cloud computing for their storage needs. Cloud storage arrays offer several advantages over traditional on-premise storage arrays, including:
- Scalability: Cloud storage arrays can easily scale up or down as storage needs change, without the need for physical hardware upgrades.
- Cost savings: Cloud storage arrays can be less expensive than on-premise storage arrays, especially for organizations with rapidly changing storage needs.
- Flexibility: Cloud storage arrays are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Disaster recovery: Cloud storage arrays can be used to recover data quickly and easily in the event of a disaster or outage, without the need for physical hardware or tapes.