Connecting Remote Storage Area Networks over Fibre Channel

Storage Area Networks (SANs) have emerged in recent years as a centralized solution for storing large volumes of data. SAN devices are typically connected over a switched infrastructure (Fibre Channel-based) and managed from a central location. By consolidating storage resources into one centrally managed environment, enterprises can significantly reduce information technology (IT) costs and utilize the broadband infrastructure for new applications, such as sharing data among remote offices.

Most remote storage applications run over fiber optic links, to distances of up to 60 kilometers (37.5 miles). The most common topology is the connection of two sites over a fiber optic strand. This can be done over leased dark fiber, using Fibre Channel or ESCON converters, or over Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) wavelength offered by a metropolitan service provider. Many carriers, such as SBC, British Telecom and Belgacom, for example, package such a SAN interconnection service. Demand for this type of high bandwidth application has also led to the creation of storage service providers, which specialize in storage management solutions.

Typical remote storage applications include:

- Disaster recovery - in the event of a disaster, all data is mirrored to an alternative site, which comprises servers, storage components and workstations
- Business continuance - critical data (not all data) is mirrored to a remote location to enable the continuity of critical business activities such as billing, ordering and production
- Backup - data is backed up at a remote location, but is not available in real time

A simple and cost-effective way to connect SANs and Fibre Channel devices over long distances is RAD's AMC-101 media converter and repeater. This unit provides enhanced media conversion for Fast Ethernet, Fibre Channel, high speed ATM, FDDI, SDH/SONET, and other protocols. Its modular design offers a flexible choice of connectors for various media and permits rapid on-site replacement modules during installation. The AMC-101 media converter and repeater can connect remote SANs and storage devices over single or multi-mode fiber optic cable for applications such as disaster recovery, business continuance, disk mirroring and backup. The device's long-haul modules enable the extension of Fibre Channel services at 51 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 155 Mbps, at distances up to 110 km (68 miles).