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So how do you identify the SAN-management solution that's right for you? First and foremost, since each organization has different storage-system needs, clear, business-goal-oriented planning is essential. The objectives you set should drive the decision on what SAN-management software you buy.

To choose the right product for your particular business case, ask the proverbial and age-old question: How can I wring the most value out of my assets (in this case, storage)? You need to determine what problems you have; some will come to mind immediately, but there are always glitches that you won't know about. Talk to users at all strata of your organization, and don't just ask what goes wrong with your storage, ask what goes right and identify top wish-list items. Then prioritize these issues according to business goals. For example, if your salespeople are having trouble accessing historical customer information and thus cannot target pitches based on previous purchases, that's a pressing problem.

Once you complete this process you'll have a good idea of what you need. You'll also be well-armed with ammunition to get buy-in from upper management.

The next step is to do your research and decide what software or software suites can help your SAN, both from an initial cost perspective and from an ongoing cost-of-ownership view. There are four basic areas that can be managed: storage quantity, content control, availability and replication, and physical management/performance. In "SANavigator Finds Favor," we look at suites that can manage heterogeneous SANs.

People Power

If you are thinking about implementing SAN-management software or have implemented such software but fear you aren't making full use of the system, don't be afraid to yell for help. And stick to your guns. Far too often this kind of initiative gets early support, then later fades out or dies the Death of a Thousand Knives from detractors. Before seeking help or training, remember: Clear goal planning and informed decisions are the cornerstone of any implementation in the data center.

With that in mind it's a good idea to get targeted training or to find a consultant who specializes in your area of focus. John Q. Computer, the generalist, might be able to muddle his way through, but you need to have someone who knows his or her storage stuff to make that consulting dollar really count.

What's that, you say you're having trouble finding such a storage guru? We're not surprised. The truth of the matter is that this kind of knowledge is a bit rare right now. One solution: Many SAN software and hardware vendors also provide training and consulting services.

Another possible source of help are the SSPs (storage service providers). When this segment flamed out recently, many SSPs began to implement consulting programs. They have staffers very familiar with storage technologies, and consulting generates some revenue stream to fill their empty coffers. Some of these companies have even become VARs (value-added resellers) and consultants. While we're on the subject of outsourcing, you might be toying with the idea of hiring an outsider to not only implement the software but also manage your SAN. Or maybe not--many companies are reluctant to hand over their data-storage systems entirely. That's why the SSP segment flamed out to begin with--but again, that's a whole separate article (for more on outsourced storage see InternetWeek's "Storage Needs are Growing, but Budgets Aren't," and "Rentable Storage: Efficient but Risky").

I Say Tomato...

One of the basic problems with SAN-management software is that users are given the impression that the category is well-defined and the business problems it purports to solve are clear and easily remedied. They're not. Not even close. When you say SAN management, do you mean virtualization or do you mean visualization? Are you talking about managing the physical devices or managing the data on them? Let's explore the need for and definitions of SAN management and what it means to you in today's Fibre Channel environment--and in tomorrow's IP environment. When your company is implementing SAN-management software, it is essential that you know what you are getting into and what you are expecting to get out of it. Every product attempts to solve a problem or ease usage. The confusing part is defining what problems you have and which software will help you solve them.