How to choose a SAN solution for a growing business: IBM SAN24B-6 or SAN32C-6

In today's world, data has become a real business driver, and managing it effectively is critical to business stability. Organisations are faced with ever-increasing volumes of information, the need to ensure uninterrupted access to data, its protection and rapid recovery in the event of a disaster. An effective IT infrastructure must be not only efficient but also flexible, scalable and secure, which is especially important for organisations that are actively using cloud technologies and virtualisation.

To ensure reliable data storage and transfer, a Storage Area Network (SAN) is a high-speed storage network that efficiently connects servers to data storage. Thanks to Fibre Channel, SAN solutions guarantee high data transfer speeds, low latency, advanced security mechanisms and the ability to scale with business needs.

There are many SAN solutions on the market, but among the most popular in the enterprise segment are the IBM SAN24B-6 and SAN32C-6. Both are SAN switches that provide fast and secure data transfer via Fibre Channel. They have different technical capabilities and are suitable for organisations of different sizes - from small businesses to large enterprises and data centres.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at their key features, benefits and differences to help you decide which is best for your business.

IBM SAN24B-6 overview

IBM SAN24B-6 — is a high-performance, entry-level SAN switch that balances performance, scalability and manageability. With Gen 6 Fibre Channel support, it enables small and medium businesses to take advantage of advanced storage technologies while delivering high transfer speeds, stability and efficiency.

Main features:

• Flexible configuration. The SAN24B-6 supports 4, 8, 16 and 32 Gbps data rates, allowing it to scale to meet current and future business needs. With Ports on Demand (PoD) functionality, users can start with 8 ports and scale up to 24 ports as their workload grows.
• Power and Performance. With support for Gen 6 Fibre Channel, the IBM SAN24B-6 enables fast, scalable storage optimised for the latest data-intensive applications. This is especially important for organisations running virtualised environments or looking to expand their enterprise SAN infrastructure.
• Intelligent SAN management. Built-in Fabric Vision technology provides real-time performance monitoring to quickly identify anomalies and prevent potential problems. Administrators can use features such as:

1. Monitoring and Alerting Policy Suite (MAPS) - a monitoring and automated alerting system that helps prevent network downtime.
2. Fabric Performance Impact (FPI) Monitoring - analyses network load to optimise performance.
3. VM Insight - tracks virtual machine performance to keep applications running smoothly.

• Energy efficient and compact. The SAN24B-6 has an integrated power supply and four integrated fans for efficient cooling and low power consumption. The compact form factor allows for easy placement in data centre racks, reducing space and power consumption.
• Access gateway mode support. The SAN24B-6 can operate in Access Gateway mode, allowing it to be integrated into more complex SANs. In this mode, the switch uses N_Port ID Virtualisation (NPIV) technology to provide transparent connectivity between physical and virtual servers without complex configuration.

Advantages of IBM SAN24B-6:

1. Easy to deploy. The SAN24B-6 comes with the EZSwitchSetup Wizard, making it easy to set up even for first-time SAN implementers. Installation and initial setup take a minimum of time thanks to the user-friendly interface and easy management.
2. Low total cost of ownership (TCO). High energy efficiency, compact size and scalability help reduce the total cost of ownership. This makes the SAN24B-6 a cost-effective solution for businesses that need a powerful yet affordable SAN.
3. High reliability. The IBM SAN24B-6 uses proven Gen 6 Fibre Channel technology to ensure network stability and uptime. Built-in monitoring and analysis tools help you identify and resolve potential problems before they occur.

Recommended use cases:

• Small and medium businesses. Businesses that need a SAN solution to connect enterprise storage and backup data get the perfect combination of performance, reliability and availability.
• Organisations using storage virtualisation. With support for VM Insight and Fabric Vision, the SAN24B-6 is ideal for organisations running virtualised environments that don't require ultra-high-performance SANs.
• Organisations building a SAN infrastructure from the ground up. With Ports on Demand functionality, organisations can start with minimal configuration and scale as their workloads and data volumes grow.

The IBM SAN24B-6 is the optimal SAN solution for businesses looking to build an efficient, reliable and scalable storage infrastructure.

SAN32C-6 overview

Main features:

IBM SAN32C-6 – is a high-performance, entry-level SAN switch designed for rapid deployment of enterprise SANs, support for cloud services, and scalable virtualised environments.

• Bandwidth - supports Fibre Channel up to 32Gbps for low latency and predictable performance.
• Flexible scalability - 16 ports initially, expandable to 32 ports with port expansion modules.
• Integration with cloud environments - supports high-density virtualised servers with minimal switch utilisation.
• High fault tolerance - redundancy of key components, including dual power supplies, for increased reliability.
• Cost optimisation - compatibility with existing 16/8/4 Gbps transceiver modules, saving capital expenditure (CapEx).

Advantages of SAN32C-6:

1. Enterprise-class performance - stable, non-blocking data transfer speeds and low latency, which is especially important for processing critical data.
2. Flexibility and scalability - a modular, pay-as-you-grow approach allows you to expand your SAN infrastructure as your business needs grow.
3. Simplified management - consolidate server ports and reduce network infrastructure complexity.
4. High availability and reliability - support for dual power supplies and redundant fans for increased fault tolerance.
5. Cost savings - the ability to use existing 16/8/4Gb/s fibre optic adapters (HBAs) and later upgrade to 32Gb/s without replacing the entire infrastructure.

Recommended use cases:

• Large enterprises and data centres - organisations that process large amounts of critical data and require a reliable, high-performance SAN solution.
• Financial Institutions and Enterprises - organisations that require high levels of security, performance and continuous access to data.
• Organisations actively using cloud technologies - integrating a SAN network with cloud infrastructure for scalability and efficient resource management.
• Enterprises looking for a cost-effective solution - the ability to incrementally grow their network infrastructure without significant up-front costs.

The SAN32C-6 is an innovative SAN solution that enables organisations to effectively manage their growing storage needs while delivering high performance, scalability and security. 

Key differences between IBM SAN24B-6 and SAN32C-6 include

1. SAN performance. Both switches support data transfer rates of up to 32 Gbps over Fibre Channel. However, the IBM SAN24B-6 has 8 to 24 ports, making it ideal for smaller SANs. The SAN32C-6 offers advanced capabilities with 16 to 32 ports, allowing you to handle higher traffic volumes and heavy workloads.
2. SAN scalability. The IBM SAN24B-6 has limited expansion capabilities, while the SAN32C-6 offers high scalability with support for port expansion modules. This means organisations can start with a smaller configuration and gradually increase the number of ports as their needs grow.
3. SAN reliability. In terms of redundancy, the IBM SAN24B-6 provides basic protection mechanisms. The SAN32C-6, on the other hand, is designed with advanced security and fault tolerance features, including dual power supplies and redundant fans to ensure stable operation in the event of a component failure.
4. Support for cloud services and virtualisation. While the SAN24B-6 offers minimal support for cloud environments, the SAN32C-6 is optimised for virtualised servers and cloud platforms. This makes it the best choice for organisations actively using modern storage and processing technologies.
5. Cost optimisation. Both SAN switches support 16/8/4 Gbps transceivers, reducing the initial investment. However, the SAN32C-6 offers a flexible pay-as-you-grow model that allows you to gradually expand your SAN infrastructure without a large up-front investment.
6. Price. The IBM SAN24B-6 is an affordable solution for small and medium businesses. The SAN32C-6 has a higher cost, but this is justified by better performance, reliability and scalability.

The choice between these two models therefore depends on the specific needs of the business: The SAN24B-6 is a great option for businesses with low network traffic, while the SAN32C-6 is ideal for businesses that require high performance and flexible storage management.

How to choose a SAN solution for your business?

The choice between the IBM SAN24B-6 and SAN32C-6 depends on several key factors that determine your organisation's storage and data transfer needs. Here are the key criteria to consider:

1. Determine the volume and speed of data processing.

• Low to medium data volumes - If your business has moderate workloads (e.g. small databases, file servers, backups) the IBM SAN24B-6 is a better option.
• High volumes and heavy traffic - If your business processes large volumes of data and requires high throughput and low latency (e.g. finance, banking, data centres) you should choose the SAN32C-6 which supports advanced throughput and scalability.

2. Assess current and future needs.

• Current workload—If your business's workload is stable and unlikely to increase significantly soon, the SAN24B-6 will provide sufficient performance.
• Future growth—If you plan to expand your infrastructure, add new services, or increase the number of users, the SAN32C-6 with up to 32 ports allows you to scale your SAN network without replacing all the hardware.

3. Consider budget and cost-effectiveness.

• Budget constraints - The SAN24B-6 is a lower-cost solution for organisations that require a basic SAN solution without a significant capital investment.
• Long-term benefits - The SAN32C-6 offers a pay-as-you-grow model that allows you to start with a smaller configuration and grow as you need. This reduces the cost of future upgrades.

4. Integration with virtualised environments and cloud services.

• If your organisation is using virtualised servers, actively working with cloud environments, or planning to expand into private and hybrid clouds, the SAN32C-6 is the best solution because it offers better integration with cloud technologies and high-speed server connectivity.

Thus:

• The IBM SAN24B-6 is a cost-effective option for small and medium businesses with moderate workloads and limited budgets.
• The IBM SAN32C-6 is the ideal choice for large organisations that need a scalable, efficient and secure SAN infrastructure that can grow with their business.

Depending on your company's strategic goals, both solutions can provide a solid foundation for building an efficient storage system.

Conclusion

Choosing the right SAN switch is critical to ensuring effective management of your corporate IT infrastructure.

• The IBM SAN24B-6 is a great solution for small and medium businesses looking for an affordable, easy-to-deploy SAN switch to connect storage. It is ideal for businesses with small data volumes that do not require high scalability, but do value reliability and cost-effectiveness.
• The IBM SAN32C-6 is the optimal choice for large enterprises and data centres running high-load applications, big data volumes and virtualised environments. It offers high performance, scalability up to 32 ports and cloud support, making it ideal for organisations looking to grow over time and efficiently upgrade their infrastructure.

If you need help selecting, implementing or configuring a SAN solution, contact the experts at Solidity. Our experts can help you assess your current needs, design the optimal SAN infrastructure, and ensure it runs smoothly so your business can focus on its core strategic objectives.