Storage virtualization abstracts the storage management of physical hardware and creates a central pool of storage capacity. This enables applications to that are run on a single server or on a lesser number of servers. It also eliminates dependencies between the data being accessed at level of the file and its physical location on the server, making it easier to maximize storage usage and perform non-disruptive file transfer and more.
Storage virtualization is an essential element of modern IT environments. It can help improve IT operations and reduce costs. It enables the organization to reduce overheads by reducing the number of physical servers required for each application. Additionally, it can make it easier to transition to new platforms for technology.
Virtual data storage can streamline the IT environment by reducing the amount of hardware needed to support applications. Traditionally, each application needed its own hardware. Think of mail servers or print servers. Traditional data storage models organizations crowded their datacenters with redundant and expensive hardware. Storage virtualization enables an IT team to streamline their approach, and cut costs of managing a complex datacenter.
By using virtual storage, an organisation can connect its server SAN and reduce its CAPEX by using the same internal drives for both. It can also achieve higher performance and efficiency by combining several disks and storage arrays to one pool that can be accessed by all the SAN.