Internet topology
Internet topology has changed the way that systems in an enterprise network are linked, so as to guarantee the widespread availability and dissemination of information. And this in turn has led to big changes in the way that storage is managed within the enterprise.
The distributed Internet topology has removed the direct relationship between the data and the processor. Not only can data reside anywhere on the network  and that can mean anywhere in the world  but it no longer has to be in a specific format geared to the needs of a specific processor architecture or application file format.
This has the potential to liberate IT managers from the restrictions of any one systems architecture, where the choice of operating system, processor type and application file format is limited. In the case of data storage that liberation can now be seen in the move towards storage area networks (SANs). SANs break the tie between processor and data, allowing the latter to be stored in ways that are both convenient  such as large disk farms  and efficient in terms of fast access.
SAN technology also gives IT managers a much greater choice of server system, for it is geared to working with heterogeneous environments. This means that an IT manager can select the most appropriate server for a particular task, rather than a system decreed by the operating system or file format selected.
It also allows far more flexibility in the type of storage device selected. The trend now is for storage systems vendors to provide hardware environments that allow individual storage components to be swapped in or out as required. This means that units such as disk drives can be replaced as and when necessary, without stopping operations. It also allows IT managers to choose where more expensive high-performance units are required and where the slower, cheaper devices can be used.
Storage management has become an important discipline and is an integral part of the wider set of management components that underpin a typical e-business platform.
These management components include such functions as transaction management, because every action on the Web is a form of transaction. Another is directory services, as it will be important to know who is connected at any one time, and what resources are available. The server end of client services will be important, as many new client devices will be used to access enterprise Web sites and conduct business. There will also be a need for analysis tools that track and manage transactions taking place on the site.
Finally, document management will play a vital role. Here, the term 'document' applies to anything that can be digitised and stored, such as music, videos, graphics and voice messages. Traditional text documents will still be a part of this mix, but when it comes to online products or services, they are likely to be only a minor element from now on.
