Capacity: The storage system must be able to handle an appropriate quantity of data. Be aware of the organization’s current data storage needs and the expected rate of growth. You cannot plan a storage strategy without a detailed knowledge of the quantities of data involved.

Scalability: The type of storage technology must be well-matched to the overall size of the organization’s data needs, and must be able to outpace its expected growth. Storage strategies implemented when an organization’s network was relatively small, often cannot be expanded beyond a certain point. Storage technologies designed for large-scale enterprise networks may be burdensome for a departmental LAN. The storage systems on the network must be designed from the beginning to scale to larger data capacities, without major upheavals. Avoid disruption and costs associated with redeploying a whole new data storage system as you outgrow the previous system. Rather, choose a system that will continue to grow as your data needs grow.

Costs: Select the least-costly approach that effectively meets the objectives. Many cost issues must be considered—initial purchase cost of the hardware, productivity costs related to network downtime, and ongoing hardware and software maintenance, for example. Do not ignore personnel costs associated with each storage technology option. More complex solutions will demand time and attention of network administrators, technicians and operators. Simpler approaches should require less ongoing support.

Performance: Storage technologies must be able to deliver information to the user rapidly. Fortunately, many current systems have very high performance capabilities. Designing a storage solution to service a relatively small number of users, can be fairly straightforward. But a network with an extremely large user population will challenge the network architect to design a system that can handle an extremely high rate of simultaneous activity, and still deliver rapid access.

Reliability: All storage systems rely on parts that will eventually break down. It is possible to develop a data storage environment with enough redundancy to ensure that no interruptions can occur, even if individual components fail or malfunction. Such high-availability comes at a price— both in terms of the cost of the equipment and in the complexity of its operation. Small-scale departmental networks may be satisfied with a data system that can potentially fail, provided that it can be restored with little or no data loss, within a reasonable time. It is relatively simple and inexpensive to build a storage system that is available 99 percent of the time. Eliminating that last 1 or 2 percent of failure possibilities is complex and expensive.

Manageability: Once a storage system has been designed and implemented, the organization must maintain it. Aim for the system with the simplest operational concerns. As systems increase in complexity, it becomes increasingly important to be able to monitor their performance, preempt failures and manage storage media, with as little effort and interaction as possible. Also, this functionality must come without sacrificing the depth of management available to the administrator.