Managing Virtual Storage

https://duediligencedataroom.blog

The virtual machine (VM) requires storage for its data as well as system and program files. Virtual storage can be utilized to enhance the performance a VM by offering a single storage device or network-based storage as different types. The VM can then access it without having to know the hardware that is behind it.

Virtual storage management requires a careful balance between capacity, performance and costs. Administrators must determine whether to deploy all solid-state drives or hard-drive disks, what type and number of storage controllers they should use and how to integrate them in a hybrid configuration. To reduce expenses, IT managers should consider storage reduction capabilities like deduplication and compression.

There are three types of virtual storage: physical disks, RAID groups and logical volumes (LV). Physical disks and groups of RAID divide the physical capacity into smaller units that applications or servers see as a single storage device. A virtualization layer translates I/O requests made by the server to the right physical disk.

The virtual storage model reduces hardware overhead by separating the operating system from the physical devices and providing one point of administration. It also allows for scalability as it automatically adjusts the physical capacity in order to meet the demands. Additionally, it permits administrators to handle a variety of tasks in a way that is not disruptive such as transferring data off of storage devices that are not being used. Data migration is a technique that allows this to be accomplished. The mapping granularity determines the speed of meta-data updates that can be made, the amount of much space will be needed for migration and how quickly an old location can be free.