As noted from this weeks lesson, Storage Area Network (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) are both network-based storage solutions. However, SAN is associated with structured workloads such as databases, while NAS is generally associated with unstructured data such as video files and medical images for example. Also, a SAN typically uses Fiber Channel connectivity, while NAS typically ties into to the network through a standard Ethernet connection. Also, worth noting a SAN stores data at the block level, while NAS accesses data as files and most distinctly to a client OS, a SAN typically appears as a disk and exists as its own separate network of storage devices, while NAS appears as a file server.

Generally, most organizations would deploy both NAS and SAN, but often the decision is based on types of workloads or applications. Suppose SoIC at IUPUI has just hired you as a Technology Analyst to help them decide which storage solution to deploy now that the school is moving ahead with fully integrating the University Student Information System (SIS) with Canvas its Course Learning Management System (CLMS), and the SoIC Capstone Repository Application used to capture and store all the students final course work and capstone projects, including videos and game production, podcasts, student presentations, posters, and paper reports etc... As the newly hired Technology Analyst, which of the storage solution would propose and why?