Server virtualization helps to increase the efficiency of IT resources, but it also increases network bandwidth that pose particular problems for professionals. The paradigm of “the use of a single server, a network port” has been replaced with virtual dedicated servers that perform multiple tasks and use multiple network ports for data transmission, reliability and bandwidth of data storage system. Virtual load also loads storage system, including tasks such as virtual desktops, backup, disaster recovery (DR). Gartner firm explains how storage virtualization can help to ease the effects of virtualization.

Gartner firm briefly outlined the effects of server virtualization for storage systems, and explained how to use the virtualization for storage of information, the right technology and the right mix of tools, organizations can reduce the impact on Enterprise Storage.

Consider use of storage virtualization information

Gartner firm encourages organizations to use virtualization storage systems as a means to improve the storage system, and highlights the main advantages of this technology: Virtualization storage supports combining information storage systems, which allows us to “see” and to treat all storage systems as a single resource. This avoids the problems with ‘abandoned’ memory resources that are not being used to increase system utilization and reduce storage costs for data storage systems by reducing the need to buy new storage systems. Benefits of combining storage increases with the size of the managed storage systems.

Virtualization storage supports flexible and dynamic allocation of memory resources, allowing organizations to create and assign logical storage area, which will be more effectively allocated to disk space. This also helps to reduce the cost of storage, because the business does not need to purchase physical memory all at once – you can just increase the amount of memory as you fill the allocated space. Subsequently, using the tools of dynamic memory allocation can increase or decrease the size of the logical volume on demand. It is important for management and capacity planning.

Virtualization storage service supports quality of service (QoS), which extends the functionality of the storage system. For example, the automatic distribution of the levels can automatically move data from a faster and expensive vehicle to a slower and less expensive support and back based on access patterns. Another function is to assign priority, which allows you to give some priority to the right input-output I/O, as compared with other data.

Consider use of solid-state drives (SSD)

One of the problems with a capacity of storage systems associated with the time delay caused by mechanical delays, which are inevitable when using a standard hard disk drives. This limits the performance of storage systems, and the situation will only get worse in virtual infrastructures, where input and output streams of data are randomly mixed and transmitted over the network in a memory array, creating a high level of disk activity. Architects storage systems often select a large group of disks. The inclusion of a large number of spindles hard drives in the same group can effectively distribute and minimize mechanical delay, as one disk writes or reads the data, while the other drives to search. Gartner suggests using solid-state drives (SSD) as a means of reducing the number of hard drives and provide higher data processing speed (IOPS – IO operations per second) in storage systems.

Careful planning of the transition to the use of virtualization technologies. Data center architects to conceptualize their infrastructure and operations in preparation for the transition to virtualization technology. Gartner encourages IT professionals to begin to identify and quantify the impact of server virtualization, data growth and the need for round the clock work on the infrastructure and services of the system of information storage.

Next, determine what you actually need to achieve and have consistent storage services with the operational capacity and physical infrastructure. For example, if you need to pay more attention to backup and restore, maintain data analyst, or use a desktop virtualization, as it is important to be sure that the infrastructure can support these requirements. Otherwise, you will have to update or make changes to the architecture to support these features.

Gartner noted the distinction between strategic and tactical decisions for virtualization. Strategic solutions to create stability, and short-term tactical solutions provide benefits. For example, the transition to dynamic memory allocation is a tactical decision, and the choice of using replication technologies like SRDF can be a strategic decision.

Using the tools available

Benefits of Virtualization Storage (NAS) are based on the use of tools to optimize storage. Technologies such as VMware Storage I/O Control (SIOC) and vStorage APIs for Array Integration (VAAI) can be used. In essence, SIOC allows administrators to limit the storage and input-output bandwidth and prioritize input-output I/O. This allows administrators to allocate resources to workloads with high priority and minimize the impact of other resource-intensive I/O, but less critical workloads. For comparison, the technology enables developers to integrate storage with vSphere, and include features such as a full backup, reset the memory blocks and hardware synchronization.

Finally, Gartner noted that storage virtualization can be the key to the use of server virtualization technology and desktop computers (PC), both of which have high requirements for storage infrastructure. But, the transition to virtualized storage system requires a full understanding of the benefits of careful planning to ensure proper alignment of business needs and technical capabilities, and intelligent use of technologies such as storage tier distribution and SSD.