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Storing Data in Windows Server 2025

Data storage technologies are fundamental to Windows Server 2025 operations, enabling efficient management, retrieval, and protection of information. This chapter explores physical interfaces, disk controllers, and storage methods, including DAS, NAS, SAN, RAID, and modern protocols such as SCSI, iSCSI, FC, and FCoE. It also covers storage media like HDDs, SSDs, NVMe, optical disks, and flash memory. Administrators can manage storage using Server Manager and PowerShell, while advanced features like Data Deduplication and Storage Spaces Direct enhance efficiency. Understanding file-level vs. block-level storage, controllers, and communication protocols ensures optimized performance and reliability in enterprise environments.

Storage TechnologiesDAS / NAS / SANRAIDHDD / SSD / NVMeSCSI / iSCSI / FC / FCoEData Deduplication

~2 min read • Updated Dec 20, 2025

1. Fundamentals of Storage Technologies


Storage systems in Windows Server 2025 include interfaces like IDE, SAS, SCSI, and architectures such as DAS, NAS, and SAN. Each plays a role in performance, scalability, and data protection.


2. Storage Media Types


  • Optical Disks: Used for backup and archival, less common today.
  • HDDs: Large capacity, cost-effective, but slower than SSDs.
  • SSDs: Fast, durable, and reliable, preferred for OS and applications.
  • NVMe: High-speed SSD interface using PCIe, ideal for intensive workloads.

3. Interfaces: ATA and SCSI


  • PATA: Legacy 40-pin ribbon cable, slower parallel transfer.
  • SATA: Modern 7-pin serial transfer, faster and more efficient.
  • SCSI: Advanced interface for multiple devices, evolved into SAS for enterprise use.

4. PCI and PCIe


PCI provided 32/64-bit parallel bus connections, while PCIe introduced serial lanes (x1, x4, x8, x16) for high-speed components like GPUs and NVMe SSDs.


5. Local Storage (DAS)


DAS connects drives directly to servers, offering low latency but limited scalability. Examples include internal HDDs or external drives via SATA/USB.


6. Network Storage Architectures


  • NAS: File-level storage over Ethernet, simple and cost-effective.
  • SAN: Block-level storage with FC or Ethernet, high performance and redundancy for enterprise environments.

7. File-Level vs. Block-Level Storage


  • File-Level: Hierarchical files/folders, common in NAS.
  • Block-Level: Data divided into blocks, common in SAN, ideal for databases and VMs.

8. Disk Controllers


Controllers manage read/write operations, mechanical movements, and signal conversion. Modern systems use serial buses (SATA, USB) for efficient transfers.


9. Communication Protocols


  • SCSI: Block-level protocol for diverse devices.
  • iSCSI: Extends SCSI over IP networks, cost-effective remote storage.
  • FC: High-speed, low-latency protocol for enterprise SANs.
  • FCoE: Combines FC with Ethernet, unifying storage and network traffic.

10. File-Sharing Protocols


  • SMB/CIFS: File sharing in Windows environments.
  • NFS: File sharing in Unix/Linux systems.
  • FTP: Internet-based file transfer.
  • HTTP: Web-based file delivery.
  • SSH/SFTP/SCP: Secure file transfer with encryption.

Conclusion


Windows Server 2025 integrates diverse storage technologies, from DAS to SAN, and protocols like SCSI and SMB. Features such as Data Deduplication and Storage Spaces Direct enhance efficiency, while understanding file vs. block storage ensures optimized performance and reliability in enterprise IT environments.


Written & researched by Dr. Shahin Siami

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