A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a specialized network designed to provide access to consolidated, block-level data storage. It connects multiple servers to storage devices, allowing them to communicate efficiently. This setup enhances data management and improves performance, making it ideal for businesses that require high-speed data access. SANs typically use Fibre Channel or iSCSI protocols to transfer data, ensuring reliable and fast connections. By separating storage traffic from regular network traffic, SANs help optimize overall network performance. They are commonly used in data centers to support applications that demand large amounts of storage and quick data retrieval.