Access "Rein in NAS with file virtualization"
This article is part of the Vol. 6 No. 1 March 2007 issue of Using file virtualization to improve network-attached storage
As file servers multiply, they become more difficult to manage. File virtualization appliances make it much easier to migrate files and recapture stranded storage capacity. Once considered an afterthought, corporate network file servers are becoming major management headaches. Complicated file migrations, heightened compliance concerns and stranded storage capacity are just a few of the file storage management issues forcing companies to re-evaluate how they handle this critical piece of storage infrastructure. Forward-looking companies have embraced file virtualization appliances to recapture stranded storage capacity on network file servers and to perform file migrations among them. However, using file virtualization appliances as permanent corporate file managers is a big step that some corporations are unsure they want to take. File virtualization appliances provide the following major benefits: A global namespace that indexes files on network file servers Excess storage capacity can be shared among network file servers Data migrations that are ... Access >>>
Access TechTarget
Premium Content for Free.
What's Inside
Features
-
-
Rein in NAS with file virtualization
NAS filers have sprung up largely unchecked in many companies, creating major management headaches and forcing companies to reevaluate how they handle this critical piece of storage infrastructure. File virtualization appliances can address multiple filer pain points by pooling disparate storage, providing a global namespace and making short shrift of data migrations.
- Terabyte drives arrive
-
Are you ready for new compliance rules?
Two things to know about storage and regulator compliance: There's no single technology product that meets all compliance requirements and there's plenty of prep work to do before you even think about technology. The first step is to define your unique requirements, including compliance and litigation-readiness needs, as well as business productivity and service-level objectives.
- 10GBase-T power issues may slow 10GbE adoption
- Networked storage for the masses
-
Rein in NAS with file virtualization
-
- Per-protocol pricing gets murky
- Backup apps take small steps to improve encryption
-
Power costs put the squeeze on storage
Storage shops keep growing and growing, adding capacity to keep up with the business. But the cost of powering all that additional capacity and keeping it cool is growing, too, and some data centers are being pushed to their limits. Thinking green can help stem the tide of soaring power costs and also help you figure in the cost of end-of-life disposal for your aging equipment.
-
Swap tape for removable disks
New removable disk drives combine the speed and reliability of disk with tape's portability. But widespread enterprise adoption may be inhibited until problems, such as costly disk drives and incompatibility with some major backup software products and automated tape libraries, are solved.
-
Snapshot: Tiered storage usage
Thumbs-up for tiered storage
-
Columns
-
Two smart guys
Two smart guys
-
Are backups a waste of time?
by James Damoulakis
Data protection is now much more specialized due to increased user expectations and new technology options. We need to rethink the way we approach risk and risk-related services.
-
iSCSI: Learn it or be left behind
by Jon Oltsik
Thought you might get by without considering iSCSI storage? Think again. With continuous progress on the iSCSI protocol and steadily improving products, the technology is now gaining enterprise stature. Savvy users should prepare themselves now for iSCSI.
-
We're in the midst of some seismic shifts in the storage world
Storage Bin: Changes in the tech world can evolve subtly or may hinge on a big, revolutionary event. Either way, we're in the midst of some seismic shifts in the storage world, and both vendors and IT pros will have to adjust to a new world order.
-
Two smart guys
More Premium Content Accessible For Free
How to improve your virtual server storage setups
E-Zine
One of the biggest challenges of building a virtual server infrastructure is fine-tuning the storage that supports the virtual machines. Having ...
Rethinking the way storage architectures are packaged and presented
E-Zine
Cloud storage, virtualization and the growth of unstructured data have contributed to the way storage architectures are built and used. Virtual ...
Archiving stays active with LTFS and the cloud
E-Handbook
While the concept of data archiving has existed for decades, archiving practices that were once considered standard are becoming inadequate. Factors ...
Storage Management Strategies for the CIO