Abstract
The functionality of the storage infra-structure layer below a database manager system (DBMS) is focused. The new developments in the file systems domain are presented. The new emerging areas of storage area networks (SAN) and network file systems are analyzed and compared. The new developments in the area of block storage system are discussed. A comparison between IDE and SCSI disks is presented. Some other non-disk forms of persistent strorage media such as tapes, DVDs and non-volatile memories are discussed.