What are the differences between DAS and SAN?


Let us begin by understanding the concept of Direct-attached storage (DAS).

Direct-attached storage (DAS)

DAS is called Direct-attached storage (DAS) which is a computer storage that is connected to one computer and not accessible to other computers. For an individual computer user, the hard drive is the usual form of direct-attached storage.

For example − hard drives, solid-state drives, optical disc drives, and storage on external drives.

The main components of DAS are as follows −

  • Main Hub

  • Distribution Medium

  • Remote Equipment

  • Antennas

The advantage of DAS is that DAS cannot use the switches or any server or network connection it directly connects with the motherboard.

The disadvantage of DAS is that compared to the Network Attached Storage (NAS) & Storage Area Network (SAS) it does not fast access the data file & not store large amounts of data.

Storage Area Network (SAN)

Storage Area Network is a blog base storage, SAN using blog base protocol here. You can access the server you see the store 1st you can format if & then use it only.

It stores & access large amounts of data, dedicated network use for the data storage. It has multiple disk arrays, switches, & servers.

The data store in a shared format with the disk array. So the server can fall then another disk array provides the data & you can access it. It’s also highly scalable and you can add more storage with ease.

Features

The features of SAN are as follows −

  • Shareable − The data can be shared from one server to another. This is really important in a clustered environment.

  • Highly scalable − As compared to NAS, SAN is much more scalable. Scalability is really important while hosting it in the cloud and SAN meets that requirement.

  • Synchronous replication − NAS don’t provide synchronous replication whereas SAN provide synchronous replication. In case of disaster recovery, the recovery agent will fetch the data and can make the server back on within no time.

  • SAN is for large networks − SAN generally used for MAN and WAN networks. Data transfer takes place through optical channel cable such that it can provide huge speed.

Advantages

The advantages of SAN are as follows −

  • It’s a high speed using the FIBER OPTICS network with speed of 2gbps -128 gbps.

  • It is a fast & expensive using for the large companies

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of SAN are as follows −

  • Its expensive small business cannot afford it

  • The large scale businesses use the SAN.

Differences

The major differences between DAS and SAN are as follows −

DASSAN
DAS means Direct Attached Storage.SAN means Storage Area Network.
DAS is less expensive.SAN is expensive.
DAS is not sharable.SAN storage is sharable.
DAS is not scalable.SANs are highly scalable.

Updated on: 22-Mar-2022

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