Storage area network (SAN) solutions
IBM® Storage Area Network (SAN) solutions offer high availability, scalability, and proven data security—so you can focus on strategy without worry.
Read the C-type data sheet (410 KB) Read the B-type data sheet (877 KB)
graphic illustration of a storage area network

Overview

Solve your most pressing storage networking challenges

Connect servers and storage with a high-speed, intelligent network fabric. Take advantage of a smarter data center that improves performance, reliability, efficiency and cuts costs.

Introducing IBM B-type and C-type Storage Area Network switches. Superior storage connectivity that helps you boost business agility and lower total cost of ownership.

Benefits

IBM SAN benefits Download the Dummies eBook Smarter data center

Connect servers and storage with a high-speed and AI-driven intelligent network fabric.

Simplified management

Intelligent data center management software automates provisioning, integrates health monitoring, and improves data security.

Affordable scalability

The IBM SAN family includes solutions to meet the storage needs for every business size.

Data flexibility

Continuously evolve storage capacity with our best-in-class modular building blocks.

Superior performance

Get greater storage performance with IBM storage network adapters and software options - more bandwidth, better data protection and reliability.

Case studies

Shibuya

This IT services provider meets data center networking demands through a software-defined storage environment based on IBM FlashSystem® with IBM Storage Networking SAN64B-6 switches.

Read the case study
Supreme Petrochem

Supreme Petrochem Limited (SPL) extends its product range, boosts production capacity and reduces environmental impact with the help of IBM Storage solutions.

Read the case study

Solutions

Find the model that's right for you

Entry level

SAN24B-6 An entry-level network switch with low-cost, easy-to-use capabilities at 4, 8, 16 and 32 Gbps port speeds. Its efficient design makes it perfect for any sized business looking to grow its network. Learn more about the SAN24B-6

SAN32C-6 A next-generation switch for high-speed Fibre Channel connectivity from the server rack to the SAN core. A unique port expansion module provides a flexible, cost-effective port upgrade option. Learn more about the SAN32C-6

Midrange

Enterprise

SAN512B-6 and IBM SAN256B-6

Get the most from your investments with innovative hardware, software and built-in instrumentation that provide high levels of operational stability and optimize application performance.

SAN512B-7 and SAN256B-7

The perfect foundation for the new era of autonomous storage. Connectivity to NVME devices has never been faster at over 64Gb/s, and ultra-low latency provides faster access times than ever before.

SAN192C-6

A director-class switch that layers an extensive list of intelligent features onto its high performance, protocol-independent switch fabric. Designed for small to mid-sized storage networks

SAN384C-6

A next-generation system switching device designed specifically for large-scale storage networks. With added enterprise connectivity options, it provides flexible, stable support for z Systems servers.

SAN768C-6

Get the industry’s highest port density for a SAN director with 768 line-rate 32 Gbps Fibre Channel ports. Deploy as either centralized or collapsed core architecture to support your mixed workloads.

Extension switches

SAN18B-6

Enhance replication speeds across your network and minimize the effects of disruptions. Delivers the performance and reliability to tackle the relentless transferring of data between data centers

SAN42B-R

Built for large enterprises that need to move more data over long distances. Provides optimal performance, throughput speed and scalability, with unsurpassed security through Fabric Vision technology.

SAN50C-R

An optimized platform for deploying high-performance storage area network extension solutions, intelligent fabric services and multi-protocol connectivity for open systems and mainframe environments.

Resources

The latest on storage area networking

Keep up-to-date on what’s new and exciting when it comes to SAN.

Storage Networking Redbooks®

Learn more about how storage networking can support virtualization, cloud and big data requirements.

Product documentation

Find up-to-date information on how to install, maintain and use IBM SAN switches.

IBM Storage Expert Care for IBM SAN

IBM Storage Expert Care offers a simplified, standardized approach to service and support for select IBM Storage systems, helping optimize system availability and reduce costs.