Storage virtualisationoften performs
two functions. It makes many storage systems look like one,
simplifying the management of storage resources, and in some cases
it provides partitioning so one storage system appears as many,
providing security for applications that need to be
separated.
Across most industries, data volumes are spiralling out of
control as the amount of information and content we create grows
exponentially. Data storage within most organisations is increasing
by about 60% a year. This means that organisations have to increase
their capital and operational expenditure in areas such as IT
staff, power, cooling and forms two functions. It makes many
storage systems look like one, simplifying the management of
storage resources, and in some cases it provides partitioning so
one storage system appears as many, providing security for
applications that need to be separated.
Across most industries, data volumes are spiralling out of
control as the amount of information and content we create grows
exponentially. Data storage within most organisations is increasing
by about 60% a year. This means that organisations have to increase
their capital and operational expenditure in areas such as IT
staff, power, cooling and even datacentre space.
Traditionally, organisations have tried to deal with growing
data volumes by buying more discs. However, many organisations are
finding that their storage infrastructures are becoming
unmanageable, and the utilisation of these systems is unacceptably
low, often running at 25% to 30%.
Stop buying capacity
There is a strong argument for firms to stop buying more
capacity and, instead, look for ways to consolidate existing
systems and increase utilisation. Storage virtualisation is an
increasingly popular way for organisations to address these
challenges.
Storage virtualisation aims to "melt" groups of heterogeneous
storage systems into a common pool of storage resources. Suppliers
have adopted a range of methods to achieve this. One technique is
to let the server handle storage virtualisation, although as the
server is removed from the storage system and has other functions
to manage, performance can suffer.
Intelligent storage controller
One of the most widely used approaches is to use the intelligent
storage controller as the virtualisation engine. This allows
companies to aggregate existing storage systems and virtualise the
services provided to host applications such as data protection,
replication, authorisation and monitoring.
This offers advantages such as simplified management, increased
utilisation of storage resources, seamless migration across tiers
of storage, lowered interoperability barriers and better
integration of common functionality.
Cost reductions
Virtualisation brings about cost reductions and efficiencies by
reducing the need for additional software applications and
licences, the need for additional hardware (which in turn means
lower power, cooling and space costs) and also labour costs.
Typically, administrators can manage from three to 10 times more
storage capacity once virtualisation is implemented.
Storage virtualisation allows organisations to consolidate and
utilise existing storage assets, extending their life.
Organisations can also consolidate their management and storage
services, using a single standard interface to manage storage,
archive and back-up functions.
● Hitachi Data Systems' Hu Yoshida will be speaking on "The Next
Big Thing" in his seminar at Storage Expo 2007