Cloud Computing: Virtualization Technology (2)--Storage virtualization (2)

Three ways to implement storage virtualization today

Storage Virtualization is a collection of physical storage that aggregates multiple networked storage devices into one storage device, simplifying storage management. People are talking about the best way to implement storage virtualization, but there is no way to apply it to any environment. In fact, many companies use different architectural approaches based on specific requirements. You need to compare the various methods and then choose the appropriate storage virtualization approach to your needs. The following is a simple introduction to In-band, Out-of-band, and isolated path storage virtualization methods:

In-band (In-band)/symmetric storage virtualization Technology

In-band methods are mainly used to realize virtual function between primary server and storage device, which is a common method of traditional products and storage systems.

Features: In-band/symmetric storage virtualization technology uses x86 software or proprietary hardware as well as software storage systems that look like they started with storage devices, and finally the primary server. This is the most common form of storage virtualization.

Benefits: With no proxy hosts, the associated deployment instance and the super cache can help achieve performance while maintaining flexibility.

Considerations: There may be some performance issues in the data channel

Looking for: can expand the search scope, realize the interoperability function, without making the system complex and unstable, also does not increase the system cost.

Examples: traditional storage systems, products, such as IBM SVC, Falconstor software company and DataCore software company related products.

Out-of-band (Out-of-band)/Asymmetric Storage virtualization Technology

An Out-of-band storage virtualization device is installed outside the data channel between the host and the storage, so specialized software is required in the host.

Features: Out-of-band/Asymmetric storage virtualization technology can reduce the performance problems of in-band storage. However, Out-of-band storage relies on proxy hosts and meta data controllers to access storage devices, which complicates storage virtualization.

Advantages: Extended performance is better.

Considerations: Gradually replaced by standalone path storage virtualization technology.

Looking for: In-band and independent path technology, looking for stable and adaptable suppliers and solutions.

Example: LSI storeage

The technology of separating path storage virtualization

The separation Path storage virtualization technology combines the advantages of both in-band and Out-of-band Technologies:

Features: decoupled path storage virtualization technology uses storage service modules or adaptations in software-bound switches or products.

Advantage: The deployment is more flexible and solves the data channel problem.

Note: Suppliers that provide you with software are still in the growing phase.

Looking for: Finding stable suppliers, scalable solutions to coexist, and support for different software and hardware.

Example: LSI storeage, incipient company related products, EMC Corporation Invista, Fujitsu VS9000

Is it difficult to remove after the implementation of storage virtualization

If storage virtualization is applied on one of the storage architectures, is it difficult to remove or "exit" the virtual layer? What measures should be taken to increase the success rate or reduce the destructive effects of abandoning the virtual layer?

Storage virtualization is an important decision for the company. Be cautious about what you do, because it's not easy to get rid of virtualization. Once you've deployed virtualized environments, from storage to servers and physical storage, it's completely abstract, and it storage administrators don't know where the storage comes from. Over the years you may have relied on storage virtualization vendors ' products, so it's absolutely important to pick a vendor carefully.

You can exit storage virtualization, but this is a headache. You need to back up your data somewhere, remove the virtual layer, and then back up the data to the physical storage device.

Application

Virtualized storage has started to scale applications in a variety of industries.

These applications include:

Data center: The application of virtualization technology to provide computing and storage Services Center, Network Management Center, Disaster Recovery Center, it resource Leasing center and other services.

Telecommunications industry: With the development of industry, the telecommunications industry faces two challenges, on the one hand, reduce the cost of IT infrastructure, on the other hand, improve the availability of it architecture. Virtualization technology is an effective solution to this problem.

Bank Securities and insurance Industry: the use of virtualization for disaster tolerance, to take the "three centers" scheme, namely production center, the City Disaster Preparedness Center, off-site disaster Preparedness center. With the City Disaster Preparedness Center is responsible for general disaster prevention, off-site disaster preparedness center to prevent large-scale disaster. Virtualization technology enables virtualization management across data centers within a unified virtualized infrastructure.

Government Information Systems: the construction of government data storage systems is being given unprecedented attention. The system utilizes the advanced storage virtualization technology, establishes the unified, the standard, the sharing data resource storage platform, can effectively manage the huge, numerous, the complex data and the related equipment, enhances the resource utilization rate, and establishes the comprehensive data security safeguard system.