Virtualization

Copyright (c) 2007 Dean Barnardof the actual storage mechanism. The flexibly and
With a plethora of storage devices attached to aexpandability provided by virtualization when there is
computer, management becomes a crucial issue. Ittremendous pressure on operation due to stringent
therefore becomes imperative to create one largeSLA's, is unparalleled.
logical storage which consolidates the differentTo cope with ever-expanding data volumes,
physical storage devices. This effectively means thatincreased pressure due to SLA and compliance, there
a user would look at the storage system as a singleis a need for scalable systems that enable massive
logical device instead of multiple ones. This is calledconsolidation. San switches that scale all the way up
virtualization. Many organizations are consideringto 500 ports in a single chassis and arrays that scale
storage virtualization as an important mechanism toup to hundreds of terabytes together with the
trim costs. Through storage visualization, storageintelligence are some trends for the future. The key
devices from different vendors can be consolidatedto intelligence in storage networks is that of centrally
into a virtual storage pool. This gives customers thehosted third party intelligent fabric applications for
ability to choose storage hardware independent ofimproved operational efficiencies, storage utilization
the functionality that they need from it and toand data mobility.
change and upgrade it without disrupting existingDue to the reasons stated above, virtualization has
data. This may seem like a simple problem but onbecome extremely popular, especially with
ground hardware sourcing from different vendorsorganizations which have an insatiable need for data
and their consolidation can be a source of majorstorage and devices. The service level agreements
headache. In this context virtualization assumesare driving vendors to offer better virtualization
importance.solutions which are intelligent with built in expert
The technologies that would play a pivotal role in theknowledge.
future are adoption of Information LifecycleThe future of virtualization is without doubt a must
management (ILM) by enterprises and creation offor large computer networks. What is essential is for
virtualized infrastructure. The ultimate goal for mostintelligent devices which would automatically expand
companies would be to create a service orientedresources in accordance with the needs of the
Architecture infrastructure. Disc visualization hidessystems. Consolidation has to lead to better
physical complexity from the user and delivers betterefficiencies and ultimately to lower cost of acquisition
performance. Virtualization results in a high rate ofand maintenance.
utilization, automation, better control and is simple toVirtualization can also be viewed from the software
operate. Large enterprises find virtualization not onlyapplications point of view. In this context ,
useful but also unavoidable. The geographical spreadvirtualization means operation of applications
of some organizations itself is a major reason forirrespective of the system software. This has many
selecting different vendors for their numerousadvantages the primary one being that no specific
locations. Consolidation therefore is a major issue.hardware profiles may need to be established for
Virtualization insulates the users from the complexitiesoperating the virtual application.