What are the two layers in the SAN hierarchy? (Choose two.)

Protocol layer is not a defined tier in the standard two-layer SAN hierarchy model; protocol handling is distributed across the connection and storage layers rather than isolated as its own layer.

Fabric layer is an alternate informal term for the switching infrastructure but is not one of the two formally defined layers in the SAN hierarchy model referenced by this exam.

The connection layer forms the switching and interconnect fabric of the SAN, encompassing directors, switches, and host bus adapters that establish paths between servers and storage. It is responsible for routing I/O traffic and enforcing zoning policies across the SAN fabric. All host-to-storage communication traverses this layer.

Switch layer is not a distinct tier in the standard SAN hierarchy; switches are components contained within the connection layer rather than forming a separate hierarchical tier.

The storage layer represents the physical and logical storage resources within the SAN - including disk arrays, tape libraries, and storage processors - that are exposed to hosts through the connection layer. It is the terminal destination of all I/O operations initiated from the host side and governs how storage capacity is provisioned and presented.