What is this course about?

In this course, Learning Tree has partnered with EMC Corporation to present a comprehensive introduction to storage network technologies, architectures and subsystems. Through interactive workshops, you develop solutions to defined storage objectives and examine in detail Network Attached Storage (NAS), both Fibre Channel- and IP-based Storage Area Networks (SAN), Content Addressable Storage (CAS), SAN-based backup solutions and business continuity architectures. EMC²-specific systems are described to enhance understanding and illustrate real world storage platforms.

What background do I need?

It is assumed that you have the fundamental understanding of basic networking concepts (LAN, WAN, etc.). Course 450, A Comprehensive Introduction to Networking, provides the background knowledge required to take this course. A familiarity with information management is also assumed.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for technical professionals, administrators, managers and others involved in building and maintaining a storage network. Those preparing for the EMC² Storage Technologist Certification Exam will also benefit from this course.

How do I know which data storage system (NAS, FC-SAN, other) is best for my organization?

Deciding which technology to implement within your organization can be a complex undertaking, requiring a solid understanding of the advantages and disadvantages, technical requirements and limitations behind each data storage system.

Weighing the importance of these mitigating factors, and others, in making a decision on a data storage system is based purely on the individual needs of your organization and is not something this course can decide for you. This course provides you with all the tools necessary to make such a decision, and to make it with confidence.

What will I be able to do after completing this course that I am not able to do now?

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Recognize disk drive components and structures
• Achieve a working knowledge of RAID levels
• Develop an ability to apply the best RAID fit with respect to performance/fault tolerance
• Interpret storage system data flow
• Acquire working knowledge of NAS and NAS protocols
• Identify when NAS is a "best fit"
• Understand SAN-based storage contingent upon both Fibre Channel and IP technologies
• Identify SAN benefits and comprehend details of SAN components and topologies
• Exploit SAN extension technologies such as FCIP and iFCP
• Determine "best positioning" of CAS technologies with the storage environment
• Develop an understanding of SAN backup and disaster recovery options and architectures
• Increase your preparedness to pass the EMC² Storage Technologist Certification Exam

What kinds of workshops does this course offer?

Workshops throughout this course provide you with experience in solving a storage deployment situation based on existing conditions versus desired growth, performance, fault tolerance/business continuance characteristics, including:

• RAID protection and performance
• SAN deployment
• Backup and recovery
• Local and remote replication

How much time is spent on each topic?

Does this course offer vendor-specific products?

Yes. This course does contain vendor-specific platform introductory information as an augment to the technology-centric course content.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers several related courses, including:

• 289, Disaster Recovery Planning: Ensuring Business Continuity is valuable for anyone who needs to identify vulnerabilities and implement appropriate countermeasures to prevent and mitigate failure risks
• 535, Developing High-Performance SQL Server® Databases: Hands-On provides you with the details of SQL Server's internal architecture in order to achieve a high-performance SQL Server database solution
• 468, System and Network Security: A Comprehensive Introduction provides the fundamental knowledge you need to analyze risks to your networks and systems