A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a specialized network designed to provide access to consolidated, block-level data storage. It connects multiple servers to a centralized storage system, allowing for efficient data management and high-speed data transfer. SANs are commonly used in enterprise environments to enhance storage utilization and improve performance. By separating storage resources from the local servers, a SAN enables better scalability and flexibility. This architecture allows organizations to easily add or remove storage devices as needed, ensuring that data can be accessed quickly and reliably. SANs often use Fibre Channel or iSCSI protocols for communication.