System area network

{{Short description|Networks for cluster computing}}

System area networks (SAN) are high-performance, connection-oriented networks that link computer clusters. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 uses it for high-performance connectivity through Virtual Interface Adapter (VIA).{{Cite web

| accessdate = 2009-10-08

| publisher = Microsoft

| title = System Area Networks (SAN)

| url = http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/archive/san.mspx

| year = 2003}}{{Cite web

| accessdate = 2009-10-08

| publisher = Microsoft

| title = Description of System Area Networks

| url = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/260176

| year = 2007}} This technology is used since the advent of Windows 2000.{{cite web

| accessdate = 2011-03-24

| publisher = Microsoft

| title = Differences Between a System Area Network and a Storage Area Network

| quote = Windows 2000 includes two technologies that use the same acronym, System Area Network (SAN) and Storage Area Network (SAN). This article provides a description of these two technologies, including their differences.

| url = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/264135/en-us}}