The challenge is finding the right person to manage the data resources and the data movement. This wasn't an issue with parallel SCSI storage models, where storage was separate from the network. When the file server was managed apart from the communications network, systems administrators with ownership of storage subsystems dealt with issues like capacity planning, back-up security and volume management. In a SAN, multiple operating systems connected via Fibre Channel or some other link share RAID and other storage resources. Suddenly, IT professionals responsible for managing storage systems are dealing with switches.
Companies have a number of choices.
Recent research shows that nearly as many companies are tasking network administrators with managing SAN equipment and services. Some businesses elect to take a middle road, relying on a combination of network and systems experts to manage the SAN environment. Each person brings his or her own specialty to the mix. That can be a crucial asset in what can be an incredibly complex and critical environment. Administering a SAN involves much more than just storage management and storage network management.