File Area Networks: An Introduction

This book contains information about File Area Networks (FANs) in general; it is also
designed to be useful as a desktop reference for FAN administrators. Information from many white papers, classes, and the authors’ experience has been combined to create this work.

This book is appropriate for:

• Administrators responsible for or deploying FANs
• Systems Engineers who design and deploy FANs
• OEM personnel involved in selling or supporting FANs
• Analysts needing an understanding of the FAN market
• Network Engineers wishing to expand their skills

The goal of a FAN is to provide a more flexible and intelligent set of
methods and tools to move and manage file data in the most costeffective
and controlled manner. To accomplish this, FANs provide several
key functions:

• Enterprise-wide control of file information, including the management of file attributes
• The ability to establish file visibility and access rights regardless of physical device or location
• Non-disruptive, transparent movement of file data across platforms and/or geographical boundaries
• The consolidation of redundant file resources and management tasks
• The ability to support file data management in both data centers and branch offices
  

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Copyright and Use Restrictions

Permission to use specific chapters granted by copyright holders, and these chapters have been reproduced in their entirety. Use of this book constitutes consent to the following conditions. This book is supplied “AS IS” for informational purposes only, without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, concerning any equipment, equipment feature, or service offered or to be offered by Brocade. Brocade reserves the right to make changes to this book at any time, without notice, and assumes no responsibility for its use.

Copyright © 2007 by Brocade® All rights reserved.

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