Which storage configuration is a dedicated network of storage devices that provides shared access over a network?

• A. Storage Area Network
• B. Network Attached Storage
• C. Direct Attached Storage
• D. Redundant Array of Independent Disks

Answer: (A)

Storage Area Network is a dedicated network that connects servers to storage devices, providing centralized, shared access to storage resources over the network. This setup keeps storage traffic separate and high-performing, so multiple servers can access the same storage as if it were a local disk, typically using block-level access with protocols like Fibre Channel or iSCSI. This differs from higher-level file sharing systems, where a NAS provides file-level access over IP to users, while direct attached storage remains attached to a single host, and RAID describes disk arrangements rather than a networked storage setup.