Block-based storage virtualization implementations have reached critical mass; virtualization works and provides demonstrable benefits. A vendor can and will argue the merits of different virtualization architectures, but the issue is how to get it done. Virtualization is an enabling technology that will underpin storage management strategies and is a key component in improving the cost and flexibility of the storage infrastructure. Implementations will need to be flexible and pragmatic, and in larger installations implementing more than one virtualization technology should not be ruled out.
Action Item: Storage virtualization should move to high priority, either as a separate project of as part of a server virtualization initiative. The objective should be to improve the storage “cost of assets/cost of administration” ratio to be in line with networking and servers.
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