What Is A SAN?

Date First Published: 10th March 2022

Topic: Computer Networking

Subtopic: Network Setups

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty Level: 6/10

Learn more about what a SAN is in this article.

Short for a storage area network, a SAN is a type of network that connects storage devices to each other. Each computer in the SAN can access hard drives and separate hard drives can be used by multiple computers as if they were hard drives directly connected to the computer, which makes it easier for information to be shared between different computers.

When Are SANs Used?

Whilst SANs provide shared storage over a certain network, they are an expensive option. SANs are often used in a large network when more storage is required than a single server can provide. For example, if it was necessary for a business to have data of multiple terabytes in size that needed to be accessible by computers on a LAN, a SAN could be used instead of using additional servers. SANs are more efficient since only hard drives are required to be added rather than whole computer systems.

Is A SAN The Same As A NAS?

No. A SAN is not the same as a NAS and must not be confused. SAN and NAS (Network-attached storage) are both two types of shared network storage services. However, a SAN is a LAN of several data storage devices and a NAS is a single storage device that connects to a LAN. A NAS is cheaper than a SAN and it is an endpoint device. A SAN is a network of devices that act as one.

Note:

SANs are often recommended for use by large businesses with several terabytes of data and high data transfer speed. They are not ideal for home use. On the other hand, a NAS is recommended for home use.