Storage virtualization abstracts the space in physical hardware into software-defined storage, which is accessible to any device that is an end-user. It allows multiple storage devices to appear as a single volume and helps streamline data management without the need to anticipate the storage needs of the future and then pay for capacity upfront.

Virtualization can be accomplished in two ways that are host-based and network-based. Host-based Virtualization (typically found in HCI systems or cloud storage) relies on software to control traffic. In essence, the host, or a hyperconverged system consisting of several hosts, displays virtual drives to guest machines in any configuration, whether they be virtual machines in an enterprise or PCs that connect to servers for file storage or servers that access cloud storage for data. The host uses software that converts the logical address of each block of disk data into an offset within a physical drive.

Network-based virtualization adopts an entirely different approach, by shifting the complexity of the storage controller to an upper layer of the virtualization hardware. It is common for this to require additional components like a network switch handle the additional I/O load however it is a great way to reduce costs and increase performance.

The layer above the virtualization hardware also provides the ability to perform backup and recovery functions without being impacted https://myvirtualstorage.blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-use-a-data-room by the virtualization. It also allows you to troubleshoot issues remotely – either by internal IT teams or managed service providers which can increase resolution time. It also assists with scaling by eliminating the connection between the location of files accessed on the file level and the location the location they are kept on physical disks. This will help in optimizing storage use and server consolidation as well as performing non-disruptive data migrations.