NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices are servers that are dedicated and optimized to do nothing more than file sharing. NTS has developed in-depth methodologies to test NAS and SAN devices. A NAS does not provide any of the activities that a server in a server-centric system typically provides, such as e-mail, authentication or file management, so testing is simpler in many respects.
NTS's NAS testing suite is typically broken down into three (3) areas of focus:
Compatibility Testing: Compatibility testing is performed to verify that the NAS product functions correctly with various network operating systems (such as Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, Red Hat Linux, Novell Open Enterprise Server, Sun Solaris, HP-UX, and IBM AIX). In addition, testing also typically includes verifying that the NAS functions correctly with various network applications (such as databases, etc.).
Functionality Testing: Testing is performed to verify that the product functions correctly. Testing includes verification of the NFS Protocol, TCP/IP Protocol, Windows Networking (SMB/CIFS), Unix Networking, and the Ethernet Network Device Driver.
Performance Testing: Testing is performed using industry standard benchmarks (such as Iometer, SPECsfs, and NetBench) to evaluate the performance of the NAS.
A SAN (Storage Area Network) is a high-speed subnetwork of shared storage devices. NTS has also developed detailed methodologies to test SAN devices. Typically, testing of a SAN is performed using a test network consists of computer nodes, fibre channel connectivity equipment, and a SAN JBOD. A typical quality assurance test for SAN devices consists of four (4) test areas:
Host Bus Adapter Driver Initialization Tests: The Host Bus Adapter Driver Initialization tests include Disconnect and Topology Change Tests, Connection Tests, Port Test (fabric and arbitrated loop), and Disk Pull Tests.
I/O Interface Tests: The I/O Interface Tests consist of NT Data Corruption Test, NT Data Corruption Test, Unix Tests, Unix General Function Tests, and Unix Data Corruption Tests.
Vendor Interoperability Tests: The Vendor Interoperability Tests focuses on verifying that the product(s) function with a variety of host bus adapter manufacturers.
Microsoft Cluster Server: The Microsoft Cluster Server tests include Fail Over on Clean Shutdown/Restart, Fail Over on Disastrous Shutdown/Restart, MSCS Move Group, an dHBA Failure (disconnect HBA).
NTS's experience with networking products like NAS and SAN devices also allows us to develop and execute custom testing projects on your products. Just let us know what you're looking for, and we can discuss options for testing.
Contact NTS today to get your NAS or SAN product tested!
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