Steps to Installing a Storage Area Network

Storage area networks are generally best suited to larger organisations. The installation of a SAN is potentially complex and it is better that the company supplying the SAN (assuming that they have the technical capability) also installs and continues to maintain it.

  1. Make sure that your storage requirements are suited for a storage area network. All organisations have their own storage requirements and you should get advice from one or more potential supplier as to which system is best for your company.
  2. Backup. You need to ensure that your SAN is backed up regularly as a contingency.
  3. Speed. Will the SAN provide the sort of speed to access information that you and your personnel require? There may be constraints according to the type of information and applications.
  4. Take into account the growth of your organisation because for potentially a marginal amount of money you may well be better buying more capacity now than at a later stage having to buy more.
  5. Ensure that everyone knows where and how to access the storage area network so that they can use it effectively.
  6. Do make sure that a process is in place outlining how much space staff have access to and what their quota is. Clearly, some will need more than other and this needs to be planned and addressed. It is easy to use storage space by downloading music, video and other files that may be used for personal use.