Storage virtualization abstracts storage space in physical hardware to software-defined storage that can be accessed by any device used by an end-user. It allows multiple storage devices to appear as a single monolithic volume and improves the management of data without the need to plan the Web Site future storage requirements and pay for additional capacity in advance.
Virtualization can be accomplished in one of two ways either host-based or network-based. Host-based virtualization (typically utilized in HCI systems and cloud storage) employs software to direct traffic. The host or hyper-converged systems made up of multiple hosts, offer virtual drives to guest computers with any configuration, regardless of whether they are virtual machines in enterprise environments, PCs that access servers for file storage, and servers that access data via cloud. The host uses software to convert the logical address of each block of data on physical disks into an offset within the larger logical drive.
Network-based virtualization employs a different method, shifting the complexity of a storage controller to a layer above the virtualization hardware. Often this requires additional components like a network switch take on the additional I/O burden but it can reduce expenses and improve performance.
The layer above virtualization hardware allows for backup and recovery to be performed without the virtualization effecting it. It also makes it easier to troubleshoot issues remotely – whether by internal IT teams or managed service providers – which can increase resolution time. Furthermore, it can aid with scalability by eliminating dependencies between the location of files used at the file level and where they are physically stored on physical disks. This could be used to optimize storage, consolidate servers, and execute non-disruptive files migrations.