6.7. Storage virtualization
Storage virtualization
Storage virtualization
Storage virtualization is a technology that makes one set of resources look and feel like another set of resources, preferably with more desirable characteristics.
Logical representation
It is a logical representation of resources that is not constrained by physical limitations:
- It hides part of the complexity.
- It adds or integrates new function with existing services.
- It can be nested or applied to multiple layers of a system.
Logical entities
The server and application are only aware of the logical entities, and they access these entities using a consistent interface that is provided by the virtualization layer.
Single interface
Storage virtualization can reduce the number of separate environments that need to managed down to a single environment. It provides a single interface for storage management. After the initial configuration of the storage subsystems, all of the day-to-day storage management operations are performed from the storage virtualizer.
Client concerns driving storage virtualization
- Growth in data center costs
- Inability of IT organizations to respond quickly to business demands
- Poor asset utilization
- Poor availability or service levels
- Lack of skilled staff for storage administration