CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which of the following is a common characteristic of a Storage Area Network (SAN)?

1. Low Cost

2. Shared Network Infrastructure

3. High Speed Data Access

4. Limited Scalability

The correct answer is: High Speed Data Access

A Storage Area Network (SAN) is designed specifically to provide high-speed access to storage resources. It leverages specialized networking technology to enable servers to connect to storage devices such as disk arrays or tape libraries over a high-speed network. This design minimizes latency and maximizes throughput, which is essential for environments that require rapid access to large amounts of data, such as database and virtualization workloads. High-speed data access is a critical characteristic of SANs, as they use protocols such as Fibre Channel or iSCSI that facilitate quick data transfer rates compared to traditional storage solutions. This is particularly important for applications that demand real-time data retrieval and processing, making SANs a popular choice in enterprise environments where performance is a key benchmark. In contrast, options such as low cost and shared network infrastructure do not accurately describe typical SAN characteristics. While shared storage resources can enhance efficiency, they also often come with heightened complexity and cost due to specialized equipment. Limited scalability is also contrary to SAN capabilities, as these networks are often designed to be scalable, allowing organizations to expand storage capacity and connectivity as needed. Thus, the emphasis on high-speed data access indeed stands out as a defining feature of a SAN.