VMware Virtual SAN Explained

Here’s what you need to know about VMware’s vSAN software-defined storage (SDS) offering.

What is Virtual SAN?

Virtual SAN is used to describe a software-defined storage (SDS) offering from VMware that enables enterprises to pool their storage capabilities and to instantly and automatically provision virtual machine storage via simple policies that are driven by the virtual machine.

VMware Virtual SAN Explained

Currently in beta, VMware’s vSAN will soon be generally available. As reported by Datamation.com, VMware Virtual SAN is described as a software-defined storage solution that extends VMware vSphere to pool compute and direct-attached storage. Essentially, what VMware Virtual SAN does is cluster server disks and flash to produce shared storage for virtual machines.

Automated Storage Consumption

VMware’s vSAN also features a policy-driven control plane that automates storage consumption and management. Relying on server-side solid state disks (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs), VMware Virtual SAN is expected to deliver lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and test/development environments. Users can start small and grow as needed.

Learn more about VMware Virtual SAN in this Datamation.com article.

This article was last updated on January 22, 2014

Webopedia Staff
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