Structuring
Your
Data
Your
Data
Solution
NAS Virtualization
- what is NAS virtualization?
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NAS virtualization is a means of providing users access to multiple file systems through one entry / starting point or root directory. Specifically, it refers to grouping several file systems together to create the virtual image of a single file system. Underneath, each physical device retains its own file-system images. The approach eliminates a user’s need to know the actual physical location of a file (which file system) to navigate to that data item. NAS virtualization can also provide a host of additional benefits around data throughput and load balancing between file systems.
Storage professionals may note that the terms virtual file system (VFS) or NAS Virtualization are used increasingly by vendors. Users should consider the term VFS or NAS Virtualization synonymous for namespace aggregation, and think of it in the context of a networked file system.
Storage professionals may note that the terms virtual file system (VFS) or NAS Virtualization are used increasingly by vendors. Users should consider the term VFS or NAS Virtualization synonymous for namespace aggregation, and think of it in the context of a networked file system.
In this model, the Virtual File System, in essence, translates the virtual pathname of the logistical data element into the real pathname of the data element based largely on technical requirements associated with load balancing. This is a fine starting point, but only begins to address the complexity of the problem as a whole.
Creating a virtual file system is not overly difficult.
