Storage virtualisation entails merging physical storage from several devices into a single storage device

A central console manages the merged devices, and each device acts as a unit. Storage virtualisation depends on software to detect storage capacity and offer a single storage unit.

The two principal types of storage virtualisation available to users are file-based and block-based storage.

File-based storage virtualisation operates on a computer file level, combining several storage devices into one logical file pool. It resolves NAS (Network-attached Storage) issues by removing the dependence between file-level data and the physical storage location.

Block-level, sometimes called block storage, is used to store files on SANs (Storage Area Network). It supports several cloud-based environments. Developers use block storage in computing scenarios requiring reliable, efficient, and quick data transfers.

Why Should You Consider Virtualised Storage?

Storage virtualisation helps resolve several growth issues and manage enormous amounts of storage. It is even more popular today with the yearly increase in data storage requirements.
You can use storage virtualisation to resolve:

  • Scalability issues
  • Management issues
  • Productivity issues
  • Performance issues
  • Vendor lock-in issues
  • Data transfers across arrays
  • High costs

Using storage virtualisation aids flexibility because the software detects and adds commodity hardware. It merges these hardware resources into a virtual storage pool accessible to the virtualisation platform.

Storage virtualisation drives a popular storage industry trend called the scale-out method. It entails increasing hardware capacity with a modular approach.

Storage virtualisation groups and controls data over a range of physical resources. The system covers large data centres and networks and helps forecast and troubleshoot issues. It merges data to find performance problems and plan for capacity requirements.

Although storage virtualisation’s benefits are enormous, many technical difficulties hamper its usage. One major issue is having unrelated software and hardware components in storage environments. These situations arise from supply by different vendors.

Explore the major advantages and disadvantages of storage virtualisation before making your decision.

What are the Advantages of Storage Virtualisation?

1. It helps produce better workflow

You need personnel to manage multiple data storage systems to support functionality. Storage virtualisation offers maintenance from a central console.

As opposed to multiple system operators, virtualised storage requires a single operator.

Storage virtualisation is an asset for organizations using storage devices at the enterprise-level. The easy management helps them save on labour costs.

2. It provides several types of storage array.

With virtual storage, you can allocate multiple storage types to the Storage Area Network (SAN). Despite the difference in storage types, they look similar to the servers.

It makes it easier to check your storage requirements from a central console.

3. Cheap storage choice

Storage virtualisation reduces reliance on hardware to achieve a required storage capacity. It makes it cheaper to install the required infrastructure.

virtualised storage reduces the number of physical resources needed for operations. It offers small businesses access to several cloud-based systems.

4. It offers easy access to data

Businesses have to deal with system downtime at some point. When a machine develops a fault, the operator is unproductive.

Until you restore data, work comes to a halt. With virtualised storage, resource management is central, using cloud platforms or on-site installations.

It means the faulty system’s operator can switch to a different terminal and continue working. The operator doesn’t lose data access and remains productive.

5. It offers support to entrepreneurs

In the past, starting a business required high capital investment from entrepreneurs. Getting a discount domain name, setting up your network requires tons of time and effort. Business owners need computing assets, servers, and software resources to become operational.

Storage virtualisation creates access to system infrastructure and helps entrepreneurs earn an income. With virtualised storage, you can establish your business on any scale without worrying about cost.

What are the Disadvantages of Storage Virtualisation?

Applications and servers respond in different ways to a virtualised storage environment. In certain scenarios, you might need a hybrid software setup to operate the storage systems. In addition, you will need upgrades to preserve the system’s integrity.

Running third-party software means risking vendors changing system compatibility.

Here are the disadvantages of using virtualised storage.

1. Dealing with several vendors

From a technological standpoint, storage should be a risk-free market. Data safety is important to the smooth operation of any business.

No organization wants to lose vital information. This has led to vendors developing full storage systems to help businesses meet storage requirements.

With virtualised storage, consumers have a software vendor and another vendor to satisfy storage needs. When problems occur, you must address both vendors for troubleshooting.

2. You might experience scalability issues

Storage virtualisation can present issues of scalability in several areas. virtualised storage has its limitations as you expand and add servers. You might discover reductions in the size and availability of storage space.

Even after applying several workarounds, you can encounter issues similar to physical storage boundaries.

3. Data security is at risk

When using virtualised storage, there is a 25% risk of experiencing a data breach. Hackers are well aware of the value of data held in storage.

Having multiple access points makes it easier to target your system. The added entry point leaves your systems vulnerable to attack.

Protecting hardware components and software resources is expensive for many businesses. It makes data protection far more difficult.

4. It may create availability issues.

Even after developing on-site storage virtualisation resources, access isn’t guaranteed. You will face data access issues in situations where your LAN connection develops faults.

You can experience the same issue with cloud connections. If you lose internet access, your data may be inaccessible until you restore the connection.

Even though storage virtualisation limits downtime, you might still lose access for some hours. You must factor in downtime costs before investing in a virtualised storage system.

Conclusion

Notwithstanding your storage hardware or vendor, software is the vital component in your system. It controls features, functions, benefits, and services you provide to applications and end-users.

If you are facing SAN issues, it’s time to consider the storage virtualisation option. The benefits are too substantial to overlook.

Your business can’t depend on traditional storage alone. It’s time to reform your storage architecture.