Storage arrays are shared disk systems for servers: SAN and NAS arrays, disk enclosures and backup appliances, aimed at businesses that outgrow the drives inside a single server. Our range covers Infortrend, HP Enterprise, Fujitsu and Veritas Technologies, among others.
Models run from small office arrays to enterprise systems.
How to choose a storage array
Access method. Decide whether servers need block storage (SAN) or shared files (NAS). Virtualisation hosts and databases usually want block access over Fibre Channel, iSCSI or SAS, while shared folders suit file access over the network.
Capacity and drive type. Work out the usable space after RAID, not the raw total of the drives. Fast SSDs suit databases and virtual machines, while large nearline disks are cheaper per terabyte for archives and backups. Check whether the array takes 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives, as this sets how many bays fit in each rack unit.
Redundancy. Dual controllers, hot-swappable power supplies and hot-swap drives keep the array running when a part fails. A single-controller model costs less, but a controller fault stops access to the data until it is replaced. Also check which RAID levels are supported, as RAID 5, 6 and 10 trade speed, capacity and fault tolerance differently.
Host connections. Match the array ports to your servers and switches. A Fibre Channel array needs compatible HBAs and a fabric, while iSCSI runs over Ethernet you may already have. Look at port speed and the number of ports per controller too.
Room to grow. Look at how many expansion enclosures an array supports and whether you can add drives without downtime. Buying a model with spare bays costs less than replacing the whole system later.
Storage array brands in our range
- Infortrend: a Taiwanese specialist best known for its EonStor line of SAN and unified storage arrays, and the largest brand in this category.
- HP Enterprise: known for its MSA family of entry-level SAN arrays and for larger enterprise storage platforms.
- Fujitsu: makes the ETERNUS storage family, which spans small business and data centre systems.
- Veritas Technologies: known for data protection and backup software, with storage and backup appliances built around it.
- Hitachi: a long-standing enterprise storage maker, with systems designed for large, mission-critical workloads.
- Promise: known for its Vess and Pegasus storage lines, used for surveillance and video work.
- Lenovo: sells storage arrays that sit alongside its ThinkSystem servers.
We also list a few unbranded storage items, so check the specifications of each carefully.
Storage arrays: frequently asked questions
What is a storage array?
A storage array is a system that holds many disks and shares them with one or more servers over a network or direct connection. It adds RAID protection, controllers and often features such as snapshots. This makes the data easier to protect and manage than drives spread across separate servers.
What is the difference between a SAN and a NAS?
A SAN presents storage to servers as raw block devices, so the server formats and manages it like a local disk. A NAS shares files and folders directly over the network. SANs are common for virtualisation and databases, while NAS devices suit file sharing.
Do I need dual controllers?
Dual controllers are worth having when downtime is costly. If one controller fails, the other keeps serving data, and firmware updates can often be done without stopping access. For test systems or backup copies, a single-controller array can be enough.
Can I fit my own drives in a storage array?
Often not freely. Many manufacturers support only drives they have tested, and some arrays use drive trays specific to the brand. Check the compatibility list for the model before buying drives, and confirm the interface (SAS, SATA or NVMe) and the form factor.
