Storage Virtualization: Benefits and Architecture
Storage virtualization, software-defined storage or a virtual SAN, combines multiple physical storage arrays from SANs to appear as a single virtual storage device. The pool may merge diverse storage gear from several networks, manufacturers, or cloud services into a unified logical perspective and control it via a single glass pane.
Storage virtualization segregates storage management software from the underlying hardware architecture to provide further flexibility and flexible pools of resources. Moreover, it is capable of abstracting storage hardware (disks and arrays) into virtual storage pools in the same manner as compute virtualization abstracts computer hardware (servers) into virtual machine instances (VMs).
Storage virtualization is also defined differently by the Storage Network Industry Association (SNIA): the use of virtualization to storage solutions or devices for the aim of aggregating functions or devices, masking complexity, or providing new functionalities to lower-level data storage.
Why Should You Consider Storage Virtualization?
This innovation was used to overcome many of the problems associated with expansion, such as handling massive storage volumes. Since the quantity of data stored grows each year significantly, virtualized storage has become even more vital.
Storage virtualization may be utilized to handle the top seven problems listed below:
- Data migration across arrays
- Redundancy
- High costs
- Vendor lock-in
- Scalability
- Performance
- Management
Although the benefits of storage virtualization are significant, several technological challenges exist. One of the most difficult challenges is dealing with storage environments that involve heterogeneous hardware and software components from various suppliers.
Virtualizing storage may make a system more flexible since commodity hardware can be readily brought on and found by the virtualization software platform. These hardware resources may then be linked to a virtual pool of storage to which the virtualization platform has access.
This has fueled one of the most significant developments in the storage industry: a “scale out” strategy in which hardware capacity can be rapidly expanded in a modular method. Virtualized storage infrastructure allows for the collection and management of data across a wide variety of physical assets in huge networks or data centers. This information may be used to pinpoint performance issues, forecast and solve difficulties, and plan for future capacity requirements.
Regardless of the storage hardware or vendor you now possess, the software is the layer and brain intelligence that decides the features, capabilities, services, and advantages you can provide to your end users, applications, and end hosts.
If you’re losing sleep at night because of current SAN issues and challenges, now is the time to look at storage virtualization software. There are too many advantages to count.
Your company must rely on something other than old storage methods.
How Does Storage Virtualization Work?
Businesses are shifting to a storage virtualization architecture to consolidate and manage current storage via a single interface while utilizing various features and functions.
A storage virtualization node is simply a virtual controller that virtualizes and controls physical storage by grouping all disk arrays into a “virtual pool” and thin-providing for the maximum capacity. By simply giving a tier number to each array, this method will automatically transport cold and hot data among all arrays on the fly.
Since most common conventional SANs cannot auto-tiering data across competing arrays, our method provides a simple resolution to this issue. Traditional SANs cannot do what storage virtualization software does, enabling you to identify more cost-effective options while still mixing and matching your actual storage.
You may begin moving your data from the old clunkers to the new arrays with only three clicks, with little to no downtime for the applications or host operating system.
Alternatives for Storage Virtualization Deployment
Resolving storage issues by merely installing software may seem too good. Yet it’s true: it’s that simple. Here are the two most prevalent forms of storage virtualization accessible today.
Remember that your current SAN is likewise composed of software and hardware. Storage virtualization upgrades the software while retaining the same hardware. As a result, this architecture is simple to deploy and migrate to.
As a result, you must decide if you merely want to virtualize your current storage or whether you want to add new storage while getting rid of your old legacy arrays.
1. Converged Server SAN
This option demands a larger 2u x86 server with greater hardware specifications to create more punching power. If you purchase the backplane that supports 24x 2.5″ drives, you can pack a lot of storage by employing a combination of SAS 10k drives and NVMe drives with four terabytes each.
You continue to get the same advantages described with the first choice. Still, now you are adding a new dimension by combining new internal disks with pre-existing external SAN arrays under the same virtual pool. This gives you an additional level of flexibility.
Most businesses begin with the storage virtualization node and eventually convert it to a converged server SAN without incurring significant additional CAPEX when adding the internal drives for capacity. This is because the storage virtualization node is a converged server SAN. This configuration offers increased redundancy, decreased costs, storage controlled from a single control panel, performance, and scalability, and it may continue to grow by adding more arrays or nodes.
2. Storage Virtualization Node
A storage virtualization controller node, which is commonly a 1u x86 server with CPU, RAM, network connections, and a raid-1 for the operating system, is included in this option. The next step is to link existing SAN arrays to the virtualization controller using iSCSI or FC connections, then connect hosts and provide virtual disks to all hosts.
At this stage, you must access a single management interface for everyday storage administration activities. If you need to bring a newer array and remove an old one, click “remove” to remove the old one and “add to pool” to begin utilizing the new storage. You may add a second dedicated storage node to create a highly available storage group with two redundant active/active copies of your data.
Conclusion
Virtualization is a great technique for reducing administrative costs while enhancing efficiency and scalability. Despite its creation decades ago, virtualization remains a driving force in corporations’ IT plans. When businesses consider their IT modernization journey, the relevance of virtualization is growing dramatically, and the advantages are just the tip of the iceberg.
Related Posts:
Review of the TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
Choosing the Best IoT Cloud Platform
Why Cloud Hosted VDI is the Future of Workplaces?
Top Secrets to a Successful Desktop as a Service Approach
