file-area network (FAN)

A file-area network (FAN) is a set of technologies that facilitate file sharing and data management over a network.

FAN technology decouples data from specific servers or network-attached storage (NAS) filers, thereby separating logical file access from a physical file location.

There are six core elements to a FAN:

1. Storage devices
2. File serving devices/interfaces
3. Namespaces
4. File management and control services
5. End clients
6. Connectivity

Benefits of a file-area network include:

• Data can be mapped to a unified address space (UAS) and migrated transparently between network-attached storage (NAS) devices.
• Data replication between NAS resources in the same or remote data centers, which improves data availability and Response times.
• Data can be moved transparently between tiers to ensure it is on the most cost-effective hardware platform.
• Improved user access to file-based data