Network
"file" sharing is typically done using a protocol
like Network File System (NFS) of SMB/CIFS. NFS/CIFS exports
files over Ethernet using TCP/IP. Storage boxes that interface
with the NFS or CIFS protocol are referred to as Network Attached
Storage servers (or NAS servers).
NAS
servers typically have a fixed number of disks inside their
chassis, these are used in RAID sets to store files that are
shared with NFS/CIFS. When the NAS server storage capacity
is full, you must add another NAS server. This complicates
the directory structure for clients sharing files over the
network, making it hard to find files.
Coraid's
CLN/20 NAS Server is a Linux server without disks inside the
server's chassis. It uses AoE to access disks on a storage
network, creating a file sharing server with unlimited capacity.
AoE
is used as the protocol to connect the CLN/20 NAS server to
the block storage devices (the disks or RAID sets), and NFS
and CIFS are used as the file sharing protocol for the clients
(servers or PCs).
CLN/20
can create RAID sets that span multiple AoE device shelves
(as shown in the diagram lblade 1.2) or it can access block
storage that is already assembled into a RAID set (as shown
in the diagram lblade 1.1).
BACKUP
STORAGE SERVER
Backup
Servers typically work in conjunction client backup agent
software to create a centralize backup and restore storage
system.
Backup
Servers typically have a fixed number of disks inside their
chassis, these are used in RAID sets to store the data collected
by the backup agent software. When the Backup Server's storage
capacity is full, you must add another Backup Server, and
pay additional software license fees.
Backup
Servers don't need disks inside (or if the disks are full,
you may not need to buy another server). With AoE storage
it is possible to assemble a backup server without disks inside
the server's chassis. Simply use AoE to access disks on a
storage network and create a backup system with unlimited
expansion capacity.
AoE
works naturally with most backup server software applications,
since AoE storage appears like disks inside the server chassis.
The
backup server can create RAID sets that span multiple AoE
device shelves (as shown in the diagram lblade 1.2) or it
can access block storage that is already assembled into a
RAID set (as shown in the diagram lblade 1.1).
