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In data storage terminology, thin provisioning is the term used to describe the consolidation and automated process of allocating just “the exact required amount” of server space at the time it is required. Thin provisioning is most commonly used in centralized large storage systems such as SANs and also in storage virtualization environments where administrators plan for both current and future storage requirements and often over-purchase capacity, which can result in wasted storage. Since thin provisioning is designed to allocate exactly what is needed, exactly when it is needed, it removes the element of “paid for but wasted” storage capacity. Additionally, as more storage is needed additional volumes can be attached to the existing consolidated storage system.
