VMware launches storage virtualization software Vstorage

September 19, 2008, VMware announced the launch of a new technology and interface combination--vstorage at the VMworld 2008 conference to help VMware users effectively reduce the total cost of ownership of the storage infrastructure in the virtual environment and improve manageability. Vstorage combines new technologies that enable the most efficient use of storage resources through virtual machines, and virtual Datacenter OS (Vdc-os), which enables highly flexible, self-managing, and self-healing functional data centers. These interfaces and programs are intended for all storage partners, enabling users to further simplify, optimize, and automate their computing infrastructure through a wide range of storage platforms.

Raghu Raghuram, vice president of VMware Products and Solutions, said: "Storage is a key component to ensure virtual Datacenter OS flexibility, speed, flexibility, and efficiency." Used in conjunction with our storage partners ' products, Vstorage enables automatic switching between VMware platforms and storage infrastructures, simplifies storage operations, and maximizes user storage infrastructure utility. ”

"Data center virtualization has been widely used by Gartner customers to increase TCO and manageability of their IT infrastructure," said Dave Russell, Gartner's vice president for storage technology and strategy. To take full advantage of virtualization, a customer's virtualization solution requires both the most efficient use of its storage infrastructure and seamless intelligent integration between the storage and server virtualization infrastructures. ”

New features enable in-depth integration of storage partner capabilities--vstorage enables intelligent integration of storage products within Vdc-os through the new Vstorage API.

The Vstorage API tightly integrates the advanced functionality provided by storage partners with Vdc-os. The Vstorage API for array integration enables users to leverage array-based capabilities, such as snapshots, thin configuration, replication, and recovery, directly through the cluster and resource pool capabilities of a single virtual machine and VMware infrastructure. The Vstorage API for Multipath will provide users with the advanced load balancing capabilities that are provided by integrating the main partner Multipath software in their virtual environment.

• Storage virtual devices, in the form of VMware ready virtual devices, provide critical storage capabilities from storage partners. Small environments that previously failed to take advantage of such storage capabilities, including small offices and small businesses, can now use storage virtual devices to benefit from technologies such as shared storage, data protection, and data deduplication.

New features for optimizing storage efficiency--vstorage The benefits of maximizing a user's storage infrastructure with the following features:

Vstorage automatically streamlines configuration and consumes physical storage resources only when needed, thereby increasing the storage allocation efficiency of virtual machines and significantly reducing user deployment costs.

Vstorage linked cloning technology to optimize storage utilization by transparently clearing duplicate data stores in virtual machines.

Features for automating and simplifying key storage management processes--vstorage can also help VMware and its storage partners achieve manual switching and process automation between virtual environments and storage infrastructures, providing a seamless solution for IT administrators.

• The Vstorage API for site Recovery Manager helps users seamlessly integrate VMware Site Recovery Manager and array-based replication capabilities, enabling users to define a customized recovery process and automatically restart virtual machines after a disaster occurs Without worrying about properly reconciling the virtual environment with the recovery of the storage backup.

• The Vstorage API for consolidating backups enables customers to simplify and automate backup of non-disruptive virtual machines using standard backup software products.

• The Vstorage API for storage management expands the interface for centralized management and virtual environments that implement storage hardware platforms, using VMware and storage partner management tools, eliminating the complex collaboration and manual processes needed to manage storage in a virtualized environment.

Vstorage technology enables VMware and its partners to bring the Vdc-os advantage to deployments of all sizes. Even for the smallest deployment, organizations can benefit from the benefits of virtualization and storage partner technology by reducing costs and complexity. At the same time, larger organizations can leverage the benefits of storage investment and storage expertise to build simpler, streamlined, and automated infrastructures through seamless integration with VMware platforms. VMware Ready Program currently offers VMware Infrastructure storage provider hardware certification, which ensures that users are assured of deploying storage hardware and storage virtual devices that have been tested and validated on VMware platforms.