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Q: I am an IT consultant and have been asked by my client to create a blueprint for storage virtualization. But I need to get a fix on aspects like-the starting point, issues involved and the options available for virtualization.
             -Gopa Kumar, Trivandrum

A: When we typically break what storage technologies enterprises are using, it would be one or the combination of technologies like DAS, SAN, file system and back up layers. There are technologies available to manage virtualization. The starting point is in understanding the virtualization method that would be deployed. It is today widely accepted that virtualization can be done on the host. Another method would be on the storage array or on the SAN and finally, controller based. For instance, when we take into account host based virtualization, all the leading vendors provide solutions. But one area IT managers often overlook on host-based virtualization is not factoring the computing power. Hence, one needs to scale up the computing infrastructure to successfully accommodate host-based virtualization.

Meanwhile, if opting for SAN virtualization, it happens through standalone devices which function as switch in the network. Some leading vendors provide network storage virtualization solution. Hence, there are two approaches here-software and hardware based. The final option of controller based is not very open as it is vendor dependant. And, it is embedded on the storage array. It can also function as a separate device. Every vendor is strong in one method of virtualization, and the trick here is to opt for a method that brings in virtualization that best suits and satisfying your requirements.

Q: One of the biggest pain areas for us off late is growing data. Is there any specific SMB storage model available in the market today?
                                         -Anil Sadrangani, Pune

A: SMBs are indeed a big challenge, for they very often overlook IT as an investment and rather see it as a cost center. Your case is a result of improper planning and you are not able to scale up your storage as per business growth. The first premise for you is in selecting the right vendor who has a good track record in providing storage solutions for the SMBs. Today, NAS is used predominantly by SMBs, which has an employee size range of 250 to 400. Yes, there are specific solutions and packages available for SMB from leading vendors. With the help of a storage consultant, you must first create a storage architecture which should broadly address aspects like storage capacity needed, and you should also give due attention to agility and flexibility, so that you can scale up as the business grows. Then, you must arrive at the storage solutions needed. Emphasis here should be proactive rather than reactive.

Q: Our storage tank size has been increasing constantly and we also need to grapple with compliance management. We intend to put in place various IT best practices so that we can be ahead of time. Is ILM a right choice or is it the panacea for all storage problems?
                                       -Arvind Saxena,Pondicherry

A: ILM is considered as the holistic approach to manage the flow of IS data and associated metadata, and takes into account the entire data lifecycle. ILM is a key building block in effective and efficient storage management. Hence, ILM is indeed an intelligent option, if you deal with multiple business partners spread across the world and churn huge data. From the point of compliance, archiving data forms the key. For instance, various regulations ask for data to be kept for a certain period of time. Hence, one should deploy concepts like ILM, through which one can comprehensively store data and retrieve it intelligently.

However, ILM needs to be deployed with careful planning, as both old and new data need to be managed, and have various controls in place so that on a tiered environment, access to data has to be planned. Typically, ILM divides the enterprise storage architecture into two-active changeable storage and active archival storage. So if you are deploying ILM, data classification has to be done meticulously, and here comes the role of various tools like SRM which makes for pro-active storage management. Moreover, other aspects like business continuity have to be seamlessly embedded with the ILM framework. So, ILM itself is just the beginning on the road to proactive storage management.

Attention CIOs/IT Managers: Any storage related queries mail to maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in

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