Abstract: Are ever-increasing demands for data accessibility causing your storage area network (SAN) to stretch beyond its limits? And as you consider various solutions, are you concerned that your IT budget is being stretched too thin? Put those worries to rest: SAN consolidation solutions can extend the life of your SAN—and reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO).

Abstract: The days of storage area networks (SANs) built with hubs and based on private, arbitrated loops are gone. Today’s fully public switches—which include a variety of switch features—make managing large SANs a lot easier. The key to a flexible SAN is the switch’s ability to create zones, which allows the SAN to be partitioned into various groupings and enables SAN managers to allocate storage where it makes the most sense.

Abstract: Permanent node-to-node data paths through a service area network (SAN) fabric are surprisingly inefficient. Some interswitch links (ISLs) become oversubscribed, while others are underused, and don’t allow you to maximize the function of your existing switch investments. Unclog your SAN’s data paths—and increase reliability and availability, as well as your return on investment.

Abstract: The limited distance capabilities of storage area networks (SANs) make it difficult for IT managers to share, protect, and move data over areas greater than ten kilometers. Using routers and switches that link SANs over Internet protocol wide area networks (IP WANs) is one way to approach this difficulty. Go the distance with your SAN—learn what it takes to build and implement SAN-over-WAN solutions.

Abstract: An ever-increasing demand on storage area networks (SANs) has meant a necessary evolution of throughput standards. SAN administrators are now burdened with multiple generations of SAN host bus adaptors (HBAs)—and unwieldy management overhead. A scalable HBA architecture might provide just the functions you need to address your cost, performance, backward compatibility, and future scalability concerns.

Abstract: iSCSI storage area networks (SANs) offer an alternative for building SANs. Consolidating storage in a SAN offers storage management and scaling benefits for data centers, and iSCSI support in Windows Server 2003 makes connecting servers to an iSCSI SAN easier and more affordable. Read this technical briefing to understand best practices and the benefits of using an iSCSI SAN with SQL Server 2005.

Abstract: Ideally, your service area network (SAN) permits an uninterrupted flow of data all the time. Unfortunately, with changes to the SAN fabric—when a server comes online, or when storage ports are added—the attendant tape backups might cause a serious lapse in the flow of data. However, an interoperable solution can keep registered state change notifications (RSCNs) from making your SAN go haywire.

Abstract: Storage area networks (SANs) are complex structures that contain an infinite number of configuration possibilities—making the process of configuring the devices to be installed into the SAN a lengthy one. To simplify the process, QLogic’s configuration wizard provides users with some basic tools to guide them through common SAN tasks, enabling them to easily build stable and secure SAN fabrics for their storage solutions.

Abstract: The first step to a successful storage area network (SAN) implementation is preplanning. Architecting a SAN not only helps solve issues of storage consolidation, it facilitates day-to-day data center support and maintenance. A SAN investment should save support dollars, not require additional support resources. With a sound implementation strategy, costly upgrades—and many headaches—can be avoided.

Abstract: In today's competitive engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing environment, procuring components on time and within budget is crucial. With rising fuel costs and increased international trade, supply chain management software can help ETO organizations get—and stay—ahead of the competition.

Abstract: Engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing needs a high level of integration between ERP and PLM systems. This article points out that ERP and PLM solutions are moving toward each other to achieve more organic data and process connectivity.

Abstract: The requirements of the engineer-to-order (ETO) environment create special challenges for capital equipment manufacturers. Traditional material requirements planning (MRP) techniques don’t account for these manufacturers’ needs. Before you invest in manufacturing software, you should carefully consider 10 questions to ensure that software vendors are focused on your business and can deliver the solution you need.

Abstract: Engineer-to-order (ETO) and project-based companies look to information technology (IT) to improve processes and gain a competitive edge. However, building complex products to exact customer specifications requires unique software. But what exactly are the software requirements of ETO and project-based manufacturers? Remember, the wrong software can cost about the same as the right software—until you try to use it!

Abstract: Maintaining a competitive advantage is paramount, no matter what business you operate within. Engineer-to-order (ETO) companies that produce complex products, usually in low volumes, and with project control techniques, are no exception. A lean enterprise involves the reduction or elimination of any activity that does not add value to a customer. In order to effectively utilize lean, lean concepts must be taken from the manufacturing floor and used thorough the ETO enterprise. This paper demonstrates how IFS applications supports the principles of developing a lean enterprise for ETO organizations. It demonstrates how process improvements apply equally to office-based functions, manufacturing, installation, and service activities.

Abstract: Microsoft System Management Server 2003 and Operations Manager 2005 storage monitoring solutions provide the necessary tools to centrally manage and monitor Windows client and server infrastructure. Now, Sanbolic’s LaScala clustered volume manager and related products offer a complementary toolkit which enables administrators to centrally configure and assign storage assets in a storage area network (SAN) environment.

Abstract: VMware and blade servers have taken the IT world by storm. Virtual server use has grown over 50 percent, and blade servers account for 12.5 percent of all new servers. Can you incorporate them into your existing frameworks? Yes. Routers can scale server numbers with virtual interfaces, and with fibre channel storage area network (SAN) connectivity, you can reduce testing and development costs in VMware environments.

Abstract: Fibre channel storage area networks (SANs) used to be implemented in only high-end enterprise class data centers, but this is no longer the case. SANs have become more affordable and can be widely implemented without sacrificing performance. When you need to expand your frame-based computer network, consider stackable switches as a cost-effective solution for the infrastructure of a fibre channel SAN.

Abstract: When it comes to data and storage management, midsize organizations often face similar issues to those of their larger counterparts. Rapid data growth, business continuity, and data archiving are just a few of the problems they must deal with. By coupling IP-based storage area network (SAN) technology with Ethernet-based SAN connectivity, however, organizations can gain higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness.