Application virtualization help enterprises get a lot of benefits, then how are we to a correct view of virtualization, this technology? File virtualization technology to the physical integration of distributed storage of large files into a single logical view, very convenient for users access, improve the efficiency of storage administrators. Therefore, in the increasingly complex file management, the "retreat" will become a new way.
Technology: GNS file virtualization lead
GNS (global namespace) file virtualization technology is the core. Implementation of the global namespace is the effective and efficient management of distributed file storage key: it is the role for file storage is like the role of DNS for the same network. Global namespace so that clients do not know where distributed file location and intuitive access to these files (as we visit the Web site but do not know the IP address of the same). It also allows administrators to manage distributed in a console in the different positions of the data on heterogeneous devices.
Document virtualization program to easily create and manage any size of the global namespace. The deployment of file virtualization in the future, the way users access files changed greatly from its original access to the physical file storage device is transformed into a single logical view. Users can have their own folders, you can also access up to a common folder.
Global namespace is in the clients (users and applications) and a logical layer between the file system, provides a separate physical location of files in file view and access methods. As a result, administrators can use a namespace logical arrangement and display to the user, regardless of the actual location of the data.
With the logic of the global namespace, the administrator will be able to get the best performance and capacity to use way to store documents, users will be able to access files via the namespace. When adding or integrated storage devices and files are moved or renamed, the client will be automatically directed to the new file storage location, do not know the file has been moved. Re-configure the storage devices, desktop computers do not need to re-configure, re-allocate drive letter, or modify the login script.
Currently, there are some in the market monitoring function with the tools, can provide significant information about the state of the storage environment, but these tools are a passive type, can not be pro-active data management, and file virtualization can. Overall, the file virtualization can greatly simplify storage management, increase flexibility and reduce costs, it is mainly through the certification and analysis to optimize the network storage to address capacity, performance and tiered storage aspects.
Capacity Management: File virtualization in the NAS or file server program, the volume or the computer quota tree (quota tree) level automatically identify over-configuration, and then be corrected. Console in accordance with the seriousness of the problem are listed all the capacity issues, administrators can quickly understand the overall storage environment, and to easily determine the NAS or file server, volume, and directory and other issues at all levels. Mouse click can get more detailed information and required immediate solutions. Capacity management capacity to identify and resolve any problems, run the capacity of load balancing, optimization of storage use.
Performance Management: Determining NAS or file server CPU, volume and directory handling performance bottleneck, the pressure balance mechanism through automatic re-distribution of data content to solve the problem. Performance management applications to identify and resolve performance problems, eliminate bottlenecks and hot spots.
Hierarchical storage management: analysis of the data access method, the data stored in the most appropriate level; determine the online store, the least frequently accessed data, to its move to near-line storage; to determine near-line store frequently accessed data, its move to online storage; all relocation support service level agreements, will not have any impact on the storage system. Hierarchical storage management using the transfer function, frequency of data access through the use of non-structural data to identify and re-locate to the low-cost near-line storage, so that institutions in the primary storage hardware to maximize investment efficiency.
Synchronize image: file virtualization across multi-vendor storage environment to synchronize data mirroring, which can increase the loss of those who can not tolerate any data security. Synchronous IP Replication capabilities in IP networks through replication, to improve the system of important documents and file protection. The data mirroring to a remote site, you can also quickly recover after a disaster.
Problem: the growing complexity of storage management
Compared with the growing storage needs of the user currently using the management tools and methods simply can not keep pace. IDC, storage administrators must increase annual production capacity of 60% can control well the increase in storage capacity.
In the file storage management, usually have the following problem. In terms of capacity, the average utilization rate of storage devices 35% to 50%; management cost per TB has not improved; capacity over-allocation cost is too high. In terms of performance, slow response times affect user productivity; I / O bandwidth limits application throughput. Hierarchical storage, and online storage than the near-line storage has a huge cost advantage, but at the same time online storage and nearline storage for automated management is often limited. Storage integration, the company requirements for storage consolidation more difficult, security and access settings requires the user to re-store the data storage consolidation.
Therefore need a new approach to simplify networked storage management, this new approach should not increase the risk of storage management, while existing operations will not affect the user process, the application then it should be transparent.
Storage virtualization is considered to solve the management problems in an effective manner. We also conducted a number of the technical details, but after introduction of storage virtualization is focused on the SAN storage system level. The recent rise of the file virtualization technology. As the name suggests, the file virtualization solution is the main file-based storage management, so applications are IP-based storage devices, that is, NAS devices.
File virtualization allows storage administrators to support heterogeneous storage environment, optimizing product platforms from different vendors, thereby enhancing the flexibility of lower total cost of ownership.
News: Storage giants vie
Brocade in March this year to spend 60 million U.S. dollars acquisition of NuView, the latter's products into its Tapestry software family. NuView's main product is StorageX, this product use the global namespace to help manage the files on the NAS system. NetApp also sells StorageX, but renamed Virtual File Manager, NuView more than 70% of its revenue comes from NetApp. NeView also sells data security software, policy-based data management software and business continuity software.
Cisco in the file virtualization startup NeoPath's latest round of financing in the amount of funds invested. One person familiar with NeoPath said, Cisco's investment of between 12 million to 15 million U.S. dollars between. In addition, there were rumors that Cisco signed OEM agreement with NeoPath and has NeoPath the right of first refusal. NeoPath products using virtual namespace and load balancing can be stored in different files on the NAS system as a large storage pool management. NeoPath the first time in late 2004 to launch its own product, then its main competitors are Acopia Networks, NuView, and Rainfinity. Compared to the Brocade, NeoPath Cisco has more significance, because Cisco has a large Ethernet switch business. Cisco Actona product for remote offices, and in the NeoPath product expansion in the data center can solve the problem, of course, from NAS recent Ethernet switch.
In August last year, EMC acquired 90 million U.S. dollars to Rainfinity. EMC Rainfinity Global File Virtualization platform, heterogeneous network-attached storage environment to improve the information management. The new release of EMC Rainfinity Global File Virtualization includes two important new features - Global Namespace Management and Synchronous IP Replication, customer information in their life cycle, has greatly improved all the file-based information management and protection .
April, Acopia Networks released the latest 2.4 version of the file virtualization software, the software system running on the company's ARX switches to provide file virtualization and global data management capabilities. The highlights include multi-protocol global namespace, heterogeneous data protection, advanced information lifecycle management strategy and project level strategic cognition.
Storage giant file virtualization startup on an acquisition spree from November 2003 began, the first predictable file virtualization technology will become the trend is that NetApp, NetApp company at 360 million U.S. dollars will be included in Spinnaker Networks unit, from the amount of the transaction Overall, we are also the biggest.
And SAN storage virtualization technologies, file virtualization is also divided into the band, the band implemented in two ways. Among them, the Brocade product StorageX are band, rather Acopia, NeoPath, and Rainfinity's programs are in-band mode.
Application: storage environment easily integrate
Ameren Corp. Brocade Tapestry StorageX software used to realize the efficient management of enterprise file data. With Tapestry StorageX, Ameren successfully file data from Novell NetWare platform to migrate to Windows Server 2003 platform, and simplifies heterogeneous storage environment file distributed data management. Currently, the company serves Missouri and Illinois, 2.4 million electric customers and nearly one million natural gas customers.
Ameren's initial use Brocade solutions to manage from Novell to Windows migration and server consolidation initiative. Ameren corporate structure expert Craig Yale, "we decided to 5TB of file data from Novell to Windows platform, platform migration, because we already have a domain structure of Exchange Server, and later will not continue to bear the cost of maintaining two platforms" . After using the Tapestry StorageX software, Ameren Corporation 50 from the original Novell NetWare system using a remote site, down to 37 now use Windows Server 2003 system, a remote site. "For this work, Tapestry StorageX software is perfect." Craig Yale commented, "We have to 5TB of data rapidly migrating from Novell to Windows, in the process server and no downtime, our users to normal use, nothing at all had. "
In order to promote the system from Novell to Windows migration and server consolidation initiative, Ameren Corporation realized StorageX global namespace, built on the Microsoft Distributed File System (DFS) above, it can file namespace virtualization environment. This allows the company's IT administrator through a single, the view contains all the file data access to multiple paths.
Novell to Windows-based system migration projects, Ameren Corporation intends to continue to use the Tapestry StorageX software to manage their data backup for remote sites to a central data center, it allows advanced users to stop running in the server error when opening or backup data. "Once we complete the system bundle Novell to Windows migration, we will continue to use the Tapestry StorageX Global Namespace and Tapestry StorageX file replication strategy. Often remote site data backup to our central data center." Craig Yale explained "This will improve the reliability of backup data Ameren Corporation, and reduce our main backup server and the remote sites the number of tape drives, this can improve the data integrity, while the cost savings."
Tapestry StorageX software also enables Ameren companies maintain cost-effective business continuity strategy. "Tapestry StorageX management strategies to achieve before a repair or other reasons due to damage to shut down the server time, we may take up to 40 hours." Craig Yale, said, "Now, by using the Tapestry StorageX Global Namespace Tapestry StorageX emergency repair strategy, we are able to reliably manage the failover process. In a shutdown, the server would quickly switch to a previous backup, so users can continue to access their data and continue working. Tapestry StorageX is a common, efficient integrated program components, it can help us complete control over our storage migration, consolidation, backup and emergency repair process. This product will bring significant investment in our returns, which return will continue to grow as we use. Tapestry StorageX reliability and efficiency will affect our business, while improving our productivity and yield. "
Challenges: the development of the road a little bumpy
Although the file storage virtualization technology administrators has brought great convenience, but from the present situation, it still faces many challenges.
First, the technical terms, the file storage virtualization technology is the biggest stumbling block is not mature enough, IT managers, in particular looking forward to the further development of this technology. File virtualization is still not completely out of the back-end operating system, which means that storage is "aggregated" rather than truly "shared." In other words, the file virtualization capabilities of the implementation is still to rely on NAS / file server operating system. This is why NetApp has a file virtualization capabilities developed a new operating system reasons. In accordance with NetApp's idea, if the file virtualization technology can be integrated into the NAS OS, you can provide direct snapshot, migration, high availability features such as advanced data management.
As for the domestic market situation, the file virtualization to face more difficulties to promote clear, the most important is that the domestic application of NAS are not mature. Words must be said many users "SAN", as if SAN is a synonym for storage. SAN advantage is to provide highly available online services, compared to the large number of NAS provides file-level client service. As many users know this is not enough place, resulting in a number of which should be adopted to use NAS and SAN in the case, so the storage environment, the file virtualization feature is very difficult to play all, and therefore, the urgency of the deployment of its users is not high.
In addition, the deployment of file virtualization of the most important benefits is to increase administrator productivity, or reduce the number of demands on the administrator. However, compared with Europe and the United States and other developed countries, we generally low cost of storage administrator for a large number of users to reduce the cost advantages of performance management is not very prominent. For example, a user file virtualization deployment, you can easily reduce the two administrators. But the two managers of several million a year in salary, however, if the deployment of file virtualization will need 500,000 yuan or so, then after a few years to get returns, but who knows what will happen after a few years things what?
Management Level NAS need to be more
SAN storage devices as key for the server service, so in a typical SAN environment, the number of servers, not to statistical data show that the vast majority of user environment, a SAN network server no more than 6 sets.
By contrast, a NAS network often need to provide services to hundreds of clients, and because NAS deployed in IP networks, extending very convenient, a large number of NAS devices NAS network often more than dozens. This gave a higher NAS administrator requirements: not only the need to manage the large number of NAS devices and file storage, but also manage a large number of users. So, it could, NAS SAN need more than a high level of management.
Provider of high-end NAS products, such as NetApp and EMC in the NAS device management, several years ago to facilitate the realization of a unified management. But management is only limited to the equipment level, the management of documents on the difference between the many, until the file virtualization technology.
File virtualization first achieved through the global namespace unified document management, in addition, together with the user rights management, it also allows administrators to assign users across multiple server configuration files, users can only see them the right to use the directory. If a mobilization of workers from one department to other departments, he does not need to change the configuration file, but are automatically assigned the rights under the new direct access.
This makes storage management rose to a new stage, because not only simplifies many file management, security has been improved also. Rights Management to ensure that important documents are not entitled to access the user access, users can file access audits.
Use file virtualization to improve storage management, not only can improve storage utilization and user-friendly file access, the greater the further advantage of better meet compliance requirements. In the absence of file virtualization deployment before the NAS administrator requested a document / user management rights of the report will be a mission impossible, apparently unable to meet regulatory compliance, and file virtualization will greatly simplify this task. Of course, this task is implemented in the Windows environment more smoothly and the Linux and Unix environment, subject to certain limitations, this is the file virtualization requires an immediate solution.