Storage-area networks (SANs) are powerful resources for block-level storage. But the high cost of deploying a full-blown SAN keeps many small and midsize businesses from leveraging the technology. Fortunately, SMBs can use a variety of techniques to deploy a “starter SAN” affordably, and then build on that foundation over time as storage needs grow or resources allow.

One approach is to buy a solution bundle—consisting of SAN adapters, switches, cabling, optics, and applicable software—specifically designed for SMBs, says Greg Schulz, founder and senior analyst at The StorageIO Group, a technology consulting firm in Stillwater, Minn. Vendors offering such packages include Dell, EMC, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Sun.

Another approach is to buy a SAN starter kit, such as those available from vendors including Brocade and Cisco, among others. These come with adapters, switches, cabling, and optics that can be attached to either existing SAN-capable storage devices or entry-level SAN arrays that you purchase separately.

Though SANs based on Fibre Channel technology have been around longer, the most affordable SANs today are based on the iSCSI interconnect standard, says Karl Palachuk, CEO of KPEnterprises Business Consulting Inc., in Sacramento, Calif. These run on standard network infrastructure, he notes, freeing you from the need to deploy costly new cabling. In addition, they’re supported out of the box by both the desktop and server versions of Microsoft’s Windows operating system.

To decide which starter SAN product is right for you, consider the current and future storage needs of the organization, Schulz advises. Based on that analysis, select a solution that will scale appropriately to support anticipated requirements for performance, availability, capacity, and efficient energy usage.