There are various cost effective options for storage. The basic solution is to have a file server with directly attached storage (disks). Slightly more advanced is to have clustered file servers (they act as one server) with a shared SCSI or SATA disk array. But there is a better option with more features at a slightly higher price:

Above that is to implement a Storage Area Network (SAN) connected to your file servers.  This is more reasonable that you might think. This offers you such options as:

• Snapshotting - point in time data backups
• Backed up volumes for disk intensive workstations.
• Boot from SAN - Faster launch and processing of the operating system, combined with snapshotting you can instantly recover from damaged hardware (on new hardware), replication of servers can happen instantly.
  
• Our solution can act as a network attached storage device as well as an iSCSI san.

Storage technology has changed from what it was 5 years ago both in price and in solutions. For instance, 5.3 usable Terrabytes of SAN storage configured and delivered for around $9000.00¹.

¹ This price is not binding but meant mearly as a representation - actual costs will vary with market price fluctuations and customer's needs. For an accurate price please contact us.