What is storage virtualization and its benefits?

If the global pandemic has taught companies anything, it's that being ready when the unexpected happens can pay off. In the business context, this lesson is often truest when it comes to data storage and disaster recovery plans. 

Given that data and digitization are increasingly at the heart of companies' operations, protecting the information held in servers with flexible infrastructure, such as storage virtualization, is important for mitigating disruption and maintaining business continuity. So what is storage virtualization, and what are its benefits?

What is storage virtualization?

Storage virtualization, also known as software-defined storage, is a cloud-based system that decouples the physical hardware from its logical representation. Or as the Storage Networking Industry Association defines it: "The application of virtualization to storage services or devices for the purpose of aggregating functions or devices, hiding complexity, or adding new capabilities to lower level storage resources."

What this means is that data is located in a wide range of storage facilities, but it appears in a single storage system. Business data, therefore, can be more protected because it is not located in one place where it could be compromised by a fire or another disaster, resulting in a (potentially permanent) loss of integral information. Additionally, as the system is virtualized and often connected to the cloud, employees can access it remotely.

Why consider virtualized storage?

Physical on-site data storage is vulnerable to everything from natural disasters to national and local emergencies that prevent employees from entering business premises and accessing the information and tools they need. Depending on the severity of the disaster, data may not be accessible for several hours or several days. Or, in a worst-case scenario, it may be destroyed altogether.

Virtualized storage can mitigate risk and protect day-to-day operations by putting a virtual protective layer around a data storage facility, storing and backing up everything important in the cloud to be accessed when needed.

What are the benefits of storage virtualization?

Storage virtualization offers companies a number of benefits. 

Remote access 

A key benefit of storage virtualization is protecting an organization's core data by not storing data in one physical location but spreading it across several places. If disaster does strike, company data can be accessed remotely and seamlessly through the internet. 

Automation of routine tasks

Storage virtualization can help the administrator perform backup tasks, archiving and recovery more easily and efficiently by doing it automatically and disguising the complexity of the storage network area, presenting it as one.

Reduced costs 

Virtualized storage can help minimize operating costs by reducing how many in-house servers are needed. This, in turn, means fewer people to look after and servers to manage.

 Flexibility 

Under such a data storage and recovery system, information that is particularly valuable or frequently accessed can be stored in high-performance storage, while less frequently accessed data can be kept in less expensive storage. 

Collaboration 

Furthermore, thanks to the cloud, transitioning from working in the office to working from home is seamless, and there are no limitations on data access. With storage virtualization, collaboration can continue even if colleagues are not face-to-face. Additionally, a virtual storage system reduces the potential for data to get stuck in silos and not be easily shared.

Scalability 

With storage virtualization, new capacity can be added rapidly as business needs change. Furthermore, because virtualization is continually operating in the background, it can also reduce downtime during migration processes.

How can you take advantage of storage virtualization? 

The ability to deliver 100% virtualization is here now. Virtualized storage can initially be an intimidating task, but some key things to consider when embarking on the journey include:

• Thoroughly design and plan: This is paramount to understand the business's core needs and priorities, to identify and mitigate risks, and to understand and plan for the migration processes and necessary downtime. It's also important to understand existing applications and technical considerations. For this, companies can use scanning tools (among others) to capture information about current network metrics and operating systems.
• Pick the right software management tools: These can help diagnose application problems, optimize performance, monitor the network and manage capacity for specific workloads in the virtual environment so companies can reap the full benefits of a virtualized network.
• Prepare staff: Make sure team members understand the final vision and goal, are prepared for any disruption or downtime, and are trained to use the new system. Furthermore, senior management should be comfortable with and fully understand the risk-reward ratio of the migration to a virtualized storage system.
• Collaborate with the right technology partner: This is arguably the most important consideration—find a partner with a proven track record and strategy that can deliver solutions and provide expert support. Flexible business continuity solutions can help organizations of all sizes protect, strengthen and recover their critical connections when needed.

Now that you have an answer to the question, “what is storage virtualization,” along with an understanding of the benefits it can offer in today’s uncertain world, learn how Verizon's business continuity solutions can help your business be better prepared for unforeseen challenges.

The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.