Linux servers have proven their mettle on the edge of the enterprise, as print and file servers. What's next? Storage is the next frontier, according to SearchEnterpriseLinux.com's resident experts. Building Storage Area Networks (SANs) on Linux can increase storage productivity and efficiency and reduce storage hardware, software and management costs. In this interview, our Ask the Expert advisors offer tips on implementation of and product selection for Linux storage solutions. On this panel are Sam Greenblatt, senior vice president/chief architect, Linux Technology Group, Computer Associates of Islandia, N.Y.; and Matt O'Keefe, CTO, and Joaquin Ruiz, marketing and product management vice president, of Sistina Software Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn.
"What are the challenges of integrating Linux into an existing SAN environment?
"Greenblat: Integrating Linux into a SAN environment is really no different than integrating in any other operating system into the SAN. You must be careful in ensuring that when defining the LUN (logical unit number) to the SAN that you understand the ramifications of enques and integrity with the logic volume defined. If you look at using the global file system and integrate Logical Volume Manager (LVM) and LVM2 into a SAN environment, you must take into account the intricacies of the underlying file system. Sistina does a great job of guiding you in the use of GFS (Global File System) on their Web site, and this could be a great jumping-off point. You also need to look at tools to manage the complete SAN environment, not just Linux..."
