ABSTRACT
The astounding volume of data being transmitted between systems today has created an obvious need for data management. As a result, more servers—whether they are PCs, UNIX workstations, minicomputers, or supercomputers—have assumed the role of information providers and managers. The number of networked or connectable systems is increasing by leaps and bounds as well, thanks to the widespread adoption of the client-server computing model. Hard disk storage plays an important role in enabling improvements to networked systems, because the vast and growing ocean of data needs to reside somewhere. It also has to be readily accessible, placing a demand upon storage system manufacturers to not only provide high-capacity products, but products that can access data as fast as possible and to as many people at the same time as possible. Such storage also needs to be secure, placing an importance on reliability features that best ensure data will never be lost or otherwise rendered inaccessible to network system users.
