Tárolóvirtualizáció

Tárolóvirtualizáció, often translated as storage virtualization, is a technology that abstracts storage hardware from the servers and applications that use it. It pools physical storage from multiple storage devices into what appears to be a single, centrally managed storage device. This abstraction layer creates a logical view of storage, making it easier to manage, provision, and protect data.

The primary goal of storage virtualization is to simplify storage management and improve utilization. Instead of managing individual disks or arrays, administrators manage a virtual pool of storage. This allows for features such as dynamic provisioning, where storage can be allocated to servers as needed without reconfiguring physical hardware. It also enables features like thin provisioning, where virtual storage is only physically allocated when data is actually written, conserving space.

Key benefits include enhanced flexibility, better resource utilization, simplified data migration, and improved disaster recovery capabilities. Data can be moved between physical devices without impacting applications, and backups and replication can be managed more efficiently. Storage virtualization can be implemented in various ways, including host-based solutions, network-attached storage (NAS) devices with virtualization capabilities, and dedicated storage virtualization appliances. It is a foundational technology for modern data centers, cloud computing environments, and Software-Defined Storage (SDS) architectures.