{
  "slug": "storage-array",
  "term": "Storage array",
  "aliases": [],
  "definition": "A storage array combines storage devices with control software that presents an abstracted storage service.",
  "note": "A storage array is a system, not an individual SSD or a synonym for RAID. Its control software presents a storage abstraction over the underlying devices. [snia-array]\n\nAccess: Media and host protocols are separate choices. An array may offer block access, file access or both; select by the documented protocols of the specific configuration, not by an all-flash label. [array-access]",
  "status": "shipping",
  "advantages": [],
  "limitations": [
    {
      "text": "The name alone specifies neither a RAID level nor a controller count, power-loss guarantee or recovery objective.",
      "citationIds": [
        "snia-array"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "all-flash-array",
    "hybrid-flash-array",
    "san",
    "nas",
    "raid",
    "data-durability",
    "unified-storage",
    "nas-gateway",
    "thick-provisioning"
  ],
  "supersedes": [],
  "supersededBy": [],
  "firstSeen": null,
  "lastSeen": null,
  "citations": [
    {
      "id": "snia-array",
      "title": "SNIA Dictionary: storage array, devices, control software and abstracted storage.",
      "url": "https://www.snia.org/education/online-dictionary/term/storage-array",
      "accessed": "2026-10-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "array-access",
      "title": "NetApp ASA r2 documentation: differences from ASA, AFF and FAS, SAN and NAS protocol support.",
      "url": "https://docs.netapp.com/us-en/asa-r2/learn-more/hardware-comparison.html",
      "accessed": "2026-10-31"
    }
  ],
  "updated": "2026-10-31",
  "provenance": [
    "SNIA supplies the general system definition; the distinction from a single SSD and absence of mandatory redundancy are interpretations of that definition. [snia-array]",
    "NetApp's comparison lists ASA r2 as SAN-only and AFF with both SAN and NAS support. This is a product-family example, not a protocol requirement for all storage arrays. [array-access]"
  ]
}