IBM Adds Muscle to Storage Virtualization

IBM introduced next-generation enhancements to its storage “virtualization engine” software May 25—improvements that help companies move large amounts of data over greater distances at higher speeds and across a number of different platforms.

Storage virtualization is a logical view and control of physical storage systems. Enterprise-class virtualization offers high levels of redundancy and advanced data management features, including snapshots and remote mirroring.

System Storage SAN Volume Controller 4.1, the new software Big Blue rolled out, includes a number of advancements, including one designed to help an organization “virtualize” its entire infrastructure more efficiently, the company said.

“In the wake of regional disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, businesses are increasingly seeking ways to support continuing IT operations by placing data centers that share resources at greater distances than in the past—including in other cities, other states, even other countries,” said IBM Storage Volume Controller Marketing Manager Chris Saul.

“The new global mirroring function in the SAN Volume Controller is designed to help customers virtualize data at locations of greater than 100 miles faster and more cost-effectively than previously.”

Data—especially massive amounts of data created by large corporations—encounters limitations as it uses bandwidth to move through wires or air, and distance plays a major factor in how efficient such transfers and replications are.

“For example, think of the way television signals are delayed slightly when they are routed through a satellite from one part of the globe to another,” Saul said. “SAN Volume Controller—a pizza-box appliance attached directly to the SAN—keeps the flow of data smooth.”

SVC Version 4.1 features Long-Distance Global Mirror, which provides long-distance asynchronous remote replication for business continuity and disaster recovery at nearly unlimited distances, Saul said.

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