Research And Implementation Of SAN Technology And Its Management

Under the circumstances of the focus of computer changing from software and hardware environment to application and data, the concept of computer storage technology has completely changed, too. At first, it mainly represents at the security of data and the continuity of assignment, because which is rather important and expensive than the hardware itself; secondly it can solve the bottle-neck problem of I/O operation as well as possible; moreover, it has the ability to be expanded unlimitedly and concisely.With the requirements mentioned above, the technology of SAN (Storage Area Network) is brought out.SAN applies the well-developed network technology to the field of storage management; it makes the method of connecting with host and storage device changing essentially. In SAN, the storage device becomes a part of the storage network and applies some services to the host instead of an additional part of a host before. SAN shares the storage device through the Fibre Channel, and breaks up the limitation on distance and capability; host and storage device can exchange data with each other through the storage network directly, by which it makes LAN free its treasure resources to other applications.The faulted hardware could be replaced or repaired, however, it would be a disaster if the data was lost or the assignment was interrupted. So, it becomes the soul of the whole system that whether the data could be backuped and restored safely and quickly.This paper introduces a basic structure of SAN management software based on the discussion of the development of network storage, the composition of hardware, and the related technology, including the architecture of its management software. The writer has taken part in a research and development on SAN management software. The paper, according to the writer's learned and experience, describes the module of backup and restore which she had studied mainly, then discusses the kernel design of the module detailed. In addition, it does a furher discussion on the realization of snapshot in backup and resotre. At the last, the writer gives out some analysis of the SAN management software, not only lists the merits and demerits, but also puts forward some improvement images.