Storage Virtualization

Storage Virtualization is the consolidation of physical storage resources into a logically uniform layer. Applications access virtual volumes, while the underlying physical hardware becomes interchangeable.

The abstraction layer pools the capacities of different systems, provides storage on a policy basis and enables data migrations between systems during live operation – for example when renewing hardware without the need for a maintenance window. Software-defined storage takes this idea further by decoupling storage functions completely from the hardware and providing them via standard servers.

Especially in grown and hybrid environments, storage virtualization reduces complexity: instead of isolated storage islands, a controllable data layer emerges with consistent policies and better utilization of the available capacity. The term thus marks the transition from static infrastructure to a flexible operating model – an important basis for enterprise-wide Data Management.