A storage area network (SAN) is a collection of computers and storage devices, connected over a high-speed network and dedicated to the task of storing and protecting data. What makes a SAN different is the use of a network to create a shared pool of storage devices. The network is used to move data between the various storage devices, allows sharing data between different network servers, and provides a fast connection medium for data backup and restoration and data archiving and retrieval. Devices in a SAN are usually bunched closely together in a single room, but the network allows the devices to be connected over long distances.