Explain Evolution of storage architecture with neat diagram?
➢ Historically, organizations had centralized computers (mainframe) and information storage
devices (tape reels and disk packs) in their data center.
➢ The evolution of open systems and the affordability and ease of deployment that they offer made it possible for business units/departments to have their own servers and storage.
➢ In earlier implementations of open systems, the storage was typically internal to the server. This approach is referred to as server-centric storage architecture (see Fig 1.4 [a]).
➢ In this server-centric storage architecture, each server has a limited number of storage devices, and any administrative tasks, such as maintenance of the server or increasing storage capacity, might result in unavailability of information.
➢ The rapid increase in the number of departmental servers in an enterprise resulted in unprotected, unmanaged, fragmented islands of information and increased capital and operating expenses.
➢ To overcome these challenges, storage evolved from server-centric to information-centric architecture.
➢ In information-centric architecture, storage devices are managed centrally and independent of servers.
➢ These centrally-managed storage devices are shared with multiple servers.
➢ When a new server is deployed in the environment, storage is assigned from the same shared storage devices to that server.
➢ The capacity of shared storage can be increased dynamically by adding more storage devices without impacting information availability.
➢ In this architecture, information management is easier and cost-effective.
➢ Storage technology and architecture continues to evolve, which enables organizations to consolidate, protect, optimize, and leverage their data to achieve the highest return on information assets.
➢ The evolution of open systems and the affordability and ease of deployment that they offer made it possible for business units/departments to have their own servers and storage.
➢ In earlier implementations of open systems, the storage was typically internal to the server. This approach is referred to as server-centric storage architecture (see Fig 1.4 [a]).
➢ In this server-centric storage architecture, each server has a limited number of storage devices, and any administrative tasks, such as maintenance of the server or increasing storage capacity, might result in unavailability of information.
➢ The rapid increase in the number of departmental servers in an enterprise resulted in unprotected, unmanaged, fragmented islands of information and increased capital and operating expenses.
➢ To overcome these challenges, storage evolved from server-centric to information-centric architecture.
➢ In information-centric architecture, storage devices are managed centrally and independent of servers.
➢ These centrally-managed storage devices are shared with multiple servers.
➢ When a new server is deployed in the environment, storage is assigned from the same shared storage devices to that server.
➢ The capacity of shared storage can be increased dynamically by adding more storage devices without impacting information availability.
➢ In this architecture, information management is easier and cost-effective.
➢ Storage technology and architecture continues to evolve, which enables organizations to consolidate, protect, optimize, and leverage their data to achieve the highest return on information assets.