System area networks (SAN) are
high-performance,
connection-oriented networks that link
computer clusters
A computer cluster is a set of computers that work together so that they can be viewed as a single system. Unlike grid computers, computer clusters have each node set to perform the same task, controlled and scheduled by software.
The comp ...
.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 uses it for high-performance connectivity through
Virtual Interface Adapter
A Virtual Interface Adapter ("VIA") is a network protocol (such as TCP/IP ...). As of July 2006 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 supports it. The specific implementation of VIA will vary from vendor to vendor. In general, it is usually a network kind o ...
(VIA). This technology is used since the advent of
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft and oriented towards businesses. It was the direct successor to Windows NT 4.0, and was released to manufacturing on December 15, 1999, and was official ...
.
See also
*
Storage area network
A storage area network (SAN) or storage network is a computer network which provides access to consolidated, block-level data storage. SANs are primarily used to access data storage devices, such as disk arrays and tape libraries from se ...
*
Virtual Interface Adapter
A Virtual Interface Adapter ("VIA") is a network protocol (such as TCP/IP ...). As of July 2006 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 supports it. The specific implementation of VIA will vary from vendor to vendor. In general, it is usually a network kind o ...
References
{{Compu-network-stub
Computer networks