On the scalability of topologies for storage area networks in building environments

Nowadays, the fast growth of data intensive applications is changing the way storage is devised. The traditional server-to-disk approach is being replaced by storage area networks (SANs), which are a separate network for storage, isolated from the messaging network and optimized for the movement of data between servers and storage devices (usually disks). We analyze the performance and cost scalability of a family of network topologies devised to be used in building environments. Performance simulation results combined with cost estimations have revealed that slight modifications in network topology can affect the overall scalability. In particular wraparound links connecting the lowest and highest floors in the building significantly affect the scalability of the network. Anyway, the use of this kind of links by itself does not provide the best solution. It is also necessary to have a good interconnection pattern in the backbone.