Software defined storage
(Storage Virtualization)
What is Software-Defined Storage?
Software-defined storage (SDS) is a form of storage virtualization. It significantly improves the simplicity and flexibility of data storage management by introducing a software layer, independent from the physical storage hardware (i.e. disks and SSDs). Subsequently, software-defined storage solutions allow more freedom in managing the way data is stored and retrieved.
How Does Software-Defined Storage Work?
As a software-based architecture, SDS removes co-dependency between your applications and the underlying hardware. It acts as a layer within your IT infrastructure, that operates on top of commodity resources, rather than through brand-specific, expensive hardware. Disks and servers can be mixed and matched, without each requiring their own dedicated software. Likewise, application software can be updated or changed without a full storage hardware overhaul.
SDS virtualizes the management of storage requests, rather than the storage itself. Through virtualization, it can enable features such as replication, automated provisioning, deduplication, backup, and snapshots.
What Are the Benefits of Software-Defined Storage?
Reduced costs
Unlike traditional network-attached storage (NAS) or storage area network (SAN) solutions, with SDS you aren’t locked into joint hardware and software combinations from specific vendors. There’s no need to drain your budget with expensive bundles – simply make use of your existing storage or server hardware.
Easy scaling to meet future demand
With storage resources abstracted from the hardware, scaling out physical storage capacity is far easier. SDS streamlines your environment, enabling the latest storage management features to be leveraged as required, without having to introduce additional resources.
Get agile
In an ever-evolving business landscape, it pays to be adaptable. SDS brings with it a level of flexibility, unmatched by traditional storage infrastructure. It allows an organization to dynamically provision and optimize storage resources. This provides the control and agility to adjust to new trends and requirements.
Streamlined management
Traditional storage infrastructure can leave you with a mishmash of disparate systems that don’t communicate with each other. SDS works to consolidate these isolated silos, uniting them under a standardized management system, thereby maximizing efficiency.
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