a SAN media server is setup the same as a media server. However, it is limited to only be able to back itself up. It cannot backup other clients. Simply ensure that the tape drives are properly zoned to the server and that the server can see them from its operating system. Install regular media server software but gib=ve the SAN media server license during the install. The wizard will setup everything for you.

Venu,

Just to iterate to Bob comments ... you can use SAN Media server if they have huge data or if need the backup to be completed faster.

All others as Bob explained.

Raghava.

As the name SAN media server says, it backup the data of itself via SAN and therefore you need to have HBA(s) and the neccessary SAN connections.

As Raghava mentioned, it generally deploy for backing up huge data with small backup window. One pssibility that it may not be applicable is when data is huge but consist lots of small files. In this case, an Advance Client with FlashBackup would be more applicable (plus some saving on HBA & SAN connections).