UNIT -III

Cloud Computing Management

Managing cloud computing resources is a critical aspect of modern IT
operations. Cloud computing management involves a range of activities, tools,
and best practices to ensure that cloud resources are provisioned, monitored,
optimized, and secured effectively. Here's an overview of key aspects of cloud
computing management:
Resource Provisioning:
Resource Selection: Choose the right cloud service provider (e.g., AWS, Azure,
Google Cloud) based on your organization's needs.
Resource Provisioning: Create and configure virtual machines (VMs), storage,
databases, and other cloud resources.
Cost Management:
Cost Monitoring: Continuously monitor cloud resource usage and
associated costs.
Cost Optimization: Implement cost-saving strategies such as reserved
instances, spot instances, and scaling based on demand.
Security and Compliance:
Identity and Access Management (IAM): Control access to resources using
IAM policies.
Security Groups and Firewalls: Configure network security rules.
Encryption: Ensure data at rest and in transit is encrypted.
Compliance: Align with industry-specific or regulatory compliance
requirements.
Performance Optimization:
Auto-scaling: Configure auto-scaling rules to adapt to changing workloads.
Load Balancing: Use load balancers to distribute traffic efficiently.
Caching: Implement caching mechanisms to improve response times.
Monitoring and Logging:
Monitoring Tools: Use cloud provider's monitoring services (e.g., CloudWatch,
Azure Monitor) or third-party tools for real-time performance monitoring.
Logging: Collect and analyze logs to troubleshoot issues and gain insights into
resource usage.
Backup and Disaster Recovery:
Data Backup: Regularly back up data and applications to prevent data loss.
Disaster Recovery Plans: Develop and test disaster recovery plans to ensure
business continuity.
Governance:
Establish policies and procedures for cloud resource usage and enforce
them using governance tools.
Cost Allocation:
Allocate cloud costs to different departments or projects for better cost
accountability.
Cloud computing management is an ongoing process that requires continuous
monitoring, optimization, and adaptation to changing business needs and
technological advancements. Cloud management tools and services provided by
cloud providers and third-party vendors can significantly simplify and enhance
these tasks.

It is the responsibility of cloud provider to manage resources and their

performance. Management of resources includes several aspects of cloud
computing such as load balancing, performance, storage, backups, capacity,
deployment, etc. The management is essential to access full functionality of
resources in the cloud.

Fundamental concepts in cloud computing, particularly related to compute,

storage, and networking, are essential for understanding how cloud services
operate and how to leverage them effectively. Here are key concepts in each of
these areas:
Compute:
Virtual Machines (VMs): Virtualization technology enables the creation of
virtual machines, which are isolated instances of an operating system and
application stack running on physical hardware. VMs are the foundational units
of compute in the cloud.

Instance Types: Cloud providers offer various instance types optimized for
different workloads, such as general-purpose, compute-optimized, memory-
optimized, and GPU instances.

Elasticity: The ability to scale computing resources up or down dynamically

based on demand. Auto-scaling allows for automatic adjustment of the number
of VM instances.

Containers: Containers provide lightweight, portable, and isolated

environments for running applications. Technologies like Docker and
Kubernetes are commonly used for container orchestration.

Serverless Computing: Serverless platforms, such as AWS Lambda or Azure

Functions, enable developers to run code without managing servers. You pay
only for the execution time of your code.

Storage:

Object Storage: Object storage is a scalable and durable storage system

designed for storing and retrieving large amounts of unstructured data. Common
examples include Amazon S3 and Azure Blob Storage.

Block Storage: Block storage provides raw storage volumes that can be
attached to virtual machines. It's suitable for databases and other applications
that require low-level disk access.

File Storage: File storage systems offer shared file systems accessible by
multiple virtual machines. NFS (Network File System) and SMB (Server
Message Block) are common protocols used in cloud file storage.

Database Services: Cloud providers offer managed database services like

Amazon RDS, Azure SQL Database, and Google Cloud SQL, simplifying
database management tasks.

Storage Tiers: Cloud providers often offer multiple storage tiers with varying
performance and cost characteristics, such as standard, premium, and archival
storage.

Networking:
Virtual Private Cloud (VPC): A VPC is a logically isolated network within
the cloud infrastructure. It allows you to control network settings, such as IP
address ranges, subnets, and routing.

Load Balancing: Load balancers distribute incoming network traffic across

multiple instances to ensure high availability and improved performance.

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): CDNs cache and distribute content to

edge locations, reducing latency and improving the delivery of web content and
media.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs enable secure communication

between on-premises networks and cloud resources or connect different cloud
regions or VPCs.

Firewalls and Security Groups: These control access to network resources by

defining rules for inbound and outbound traffic. Security Groups are used in
AWS, while Azure uses Network Security Groups (NSGs).

Peering: Cloud providers allow VPCs to connect to each other or to on-

premises networks through peering connections or dedicated connections (e.g.,
AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute).

Serverless Networking: Serverless applications use managed networking

services like AWS API Gateway and Azure Functions to handle HTTP requests
and event-driven communication.

Cloud Computing Virtualization

Virtualization reduces the cost of your infrastructure. Servers are mainly used
to provide a service to a customer. A virtualized operating system can provide
the same service but with the following advantages: Less hardware: You can
run several operating system on one host, so all hardware maintenance will be
reduced.
Cloud computing virtualization is a fundamental technology that underpins
cloud services and enables the efficient and flexible use of computing resources.
It involves creating virtual instances or representations of physical hardware and
software components, such as servers, storage devices, and networks. These
virtual instances, often referred to as virtual machines (VMs), containers, or
virtual networks, allow multiple workloads to run on the same physical
hardware simultaneously, providing numerous benefits in cloud computing
environments. Here are key aspects of cloud computing virtualization:
Server Virtualization:
Hypervisors: Virtualization software, known as hypervisors, manages and
controls the allocation of physical server resources to multiple virtual machines
(VMs).
Types of Hypervisors: There are two main types of hypervisors: Type 1 (bare-
metal) hypervisors run directly on the host's hardware, while Type 2 (hosted)
hypervisors run on top of a traditional operating system.
VM Management:
VM Creation: Easily create, clone, and deploy virtual machines from templates.
Resource Allocation: Allocate CPU, memory, storage, and network resources to
VMs according to workload requirements.
Containerization:
Containers: Containers are lightweight, portable, and isolated environments that
package applications and their dependencies. Tools like Docker and Kubernetes
enable containerization and orchestration in cloud environments.

Resource Isolation:
Resource Partitioning: Virtualization provides resource isolation, ensuring that
one workload does not interfere with others running on the same physical host.
Dynamic Scaling:
Elasticity: Cloud providers leverage virtualization to offer auto-scaling
capabilities, enabling resources to automatically scale up or down based on
demand.
Resource Efficiency:
Consolidation: Virtualization enables higher resource utilization and
consolidation of workloads onto fewer physical servers, reducing hardware
costs and energy consumption.
Migration and Mobility:
Live Migration: VMs can be moved between physical hosts with minimal
downtime using live migration technologies.
Hybrid Cloud: Virtualization facilitates the migration of workloads between on-
premises data centers and public or private cloud environments.
Security Isolation:
Security Boundaries: Virtualization provides a level of security isolation
between VMs, reducing the risk of one compromised VM affecting others.
Backup and Disaster Recovery:
Snapshotting: Virtualization platforms often support snapshotting, which allows
you to capture the state of a VM at a specific point in time for backup and
recovery purposes.
Disaster Recovery: VMs can be replicated to remote locations for disaster
recovery purposes.
Network Virtualization:
Virtual LANs (VLANs): Segregate network traffic logically to enhance security
and performance.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN): SDN technologies abstract network
functionality and control, enabling dynamic network configuration and
management.

DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD):

Containers and virtualization support DevOps practices by enabling the rapid
creation and deployment of development and testing environments.
Cost Savings:
Virtualization reduces hardware costs, as multiple virtual machines can run on a
single physical server.
Resource Monitoring and Management:
Tools and platforms offer resource monitoring and management capabilities to
optimize virtualized environments.
Cloud computing virtualization is a critical enabler of cloud services, as it
allows cloud providers to efficiently utilize their infrastructure while providing
customers with scalable and flexible computing resources. It is a foundational
technology for modern IT environments, enabling greater agility and cost-
efficiency.

Virtualization Concept
Creating a virtual machine over existing operating system and hardware is referred
as Hardware Virtualization. Virtual Machines provide an environment that is
logically separated from the underlying hardware.

The machine on which the virtual machine is created is known as host machine
and virtual machine is referred as a guest machine. This virtual machine is
managed by a software or firmware, which is known as hypervisor.

Hypervisor
The hypervisor is a firmware or low-level program that acts as a Virtual Machine
Manager. There are two types of hypervisor:

Type 1 hypervisor executes on bare system. Oracle VM, Sun VM Server, Virtual
Logic VLX are examples of Type 1 hypervisor. The following diagram shows the
Type 1 hypervisor.
The type1 hypervisor does not have any host operating system because they are
installed on a bare system.

Type 2 hypervisor is a software interface that emulates the devices with which a
system normally interacts. Containers, KVM, Microsoft Hyper V, VMWare
Fusion, Virtual Server 2005 R2, Windows Virtual PC VMWare workstation
6.0 are examples of Type 2 hypervisor. The following diagram shows the Type 2
hypervisor.
Types of Hardware Virtualization
Here are the three types of hardware virtualization:

 Full Virtualization
 Emulation Virtualization
 Paravirtualization

Full Virtualization
In full virtualization, the underlying hardware is completely simulated. Guest
software does not require any modification to run.
Emulation Virtualization
In Emulation, the virtual machine simulates the hardware and hence becomes
independent of it. In this, the guest operating system does not require modification.
Paravirtualization
In Paravirtualization, the hardware is not simulated. The guest software run their
own isolated domains.
VMware Sphere is highly developed infrastructure that offers a management
infrastructure framework for virtualization. It virtualizes the system, storage and
networking hardware.

Desktop Virtualization
Desktop virtualization emulates a user workstation to enable remote access
by a user or device. Organizations use desktop virtualization to help end
users work virtually anywhere from a connected device. Desktop
virtualization enables hosting of virtual desktops on on-premises or cloud-
based servers. It’s typically based on a client/server model.

Types of Desktop Virtualization

The most common desktop virtualization offerings include:

Virtual desktop infrastructure: VDI replicates a computer desktop by

running virtual desktop sessions on virtual machines (VMs) in an on-
premises datacenter or in the cloud. The virtualization server is managed like
an on-premises application.
 Remote desktop services: These are better used when you need to virtualize
a few applications. The applications are virtualized to the user’s device.
 Desktop as a service: DaaS solutions host, manage, and grant access to
virtual desktops through the cloud. Some solutions offer management via
hosted workloads, while others are fully hosted.

Pros and cons of desktop virtualization

 Provides efficient resource utilization: Desktop virtualization is more
efficient because it concentrates the resources in a data centre and deploys
them to user devices. Users no longer need to go to the operating system to
run applications since they run from the virtualized desktop.
 Empowers remote workforces: You can onboard new users’ desktops in
minutes so they’re ready to start working. Users can access applications from
anywhere and from any connected device, and can pull applications to their
desktops according to their needs.
 Enhances security: Since it isolates applications from the OS layer, desktop
virtualization eliminates the security risks associated with unauthorized
access.
 Feels like a full desktop workstation: Users can connect and experience a
full desktop environment from any authorized device.
 Improves application performance: Applications with heavy CPU usage
may benefit from desktop virtualization since the heavy-duty servers process
them instead of a simple desktop server.
 Speeds up onboarding: Desktop virtualization lets you give users a full
desktop experience from the start, with all the data and apps they need to be
incorporated, regardless of the device.
 Expands options: Companies that need to have shared devices, such
as contact centers, can benefit from desktop virtualization. Different users
can access different desktops from the same machine.
 Supports local USB drives, local graphics acceleration, and other resources.
 Centralizes updates: Updates and migration can be done on schedule
without disrupting the user experience.
 Integrates with corporate directories: Most desktop virtualization
solutions integrate with directories like Azure Active Directory. That means
you can apply access controls to all users based on criteria like location, type
of device, role, and more.
 Provides quick recovery: Backups and user data recovery are accessible
from centralized cloud hosting.

At the same time, there are a few considerations to take into account. For
example:
 Desktop virtualization may be cap-ex intensive. Some offerings require you
to buy the virtualization software license, servers, and storage infrastructure.
You may also need to buy devices for each user.
 Connected devices need their own licensed operating systems.
 You may need to upgrade your system for extra bandwidth or some graphics
might not display correctly.
 Some desktop virtualization only works with specific operating systems.

Application Virtualization
Application virtualization is the process that enables apps to run without
dependencies through another operating system or browser. This technology
allows end users to access and use an application from a different device than
the one on which the application is installed.

Executing application virtualization requires virtualization software to be

inserted between the app and operating system that allows the application to
run virtually without affecting the OS under it. The application itself lives in
the datacenter or cloud and not on devices. However, the user perceives the
application as native to the device. This flexibility is what allows virtual
applications to operate on any device.

One common method for application virtualization is via a server-based

approach. With this method, administrators implement remote applications
on the datacenter’s server, and the virtualization software delivers the
applications to the user’s connected device.

App virtualization on-premises vs. in the cloud

App virtualization is a trusted technology to deliver applications to users
worldwide while maintaining security and easing management. However,
deploying virtual applications on-premises still requires hands-on
maintenance, where cloud offers a way to ease the burden on IT. Let’s take a
closer look:

On-Premises App Virtualization

 On-premises deployments are often used by organizations that need to stay in

the datacenter for regulatory or compliance reasons.
 Virtualization enables admins to create a simulated environment from
hardware. The resulting virtualized application can connect to any device
without the need for installation.
 On-premises deployment means the virtualization software is located in the
company’s datacenter and is protected by its internal security measures.
 However, this model can be difficult to scale — especially when it comes to
keeping pace with the rapid growth of remote work.

Cloud-Based App Virtualization

 With cloud deployments, IT departments provision applications to users from

the cloud.
 Virtual applications are hosted in the cloud, reducing the need for physical
infrastructure and routine manual maintenance.
 Cloud-based servers offer greater portability and scalability, with many
services offered in the pay-as-you-go model.
 Deploying from the cloud gives you more agility, since it’s easy to spin up
and down as needed.

When should you use application virtualization?

Common use cases for application virtualization include:

 Streamline hardware: Large companies with many employees can

eliminate the need to provide desktop devices for everyone by delivering
applications to any connected device.
 Application mobility: Enterprise applications are accessible from anywhere
and any device, including tablets and smartphones.
 Secure remote access capabilities: Users can securely access the
applications needed to complete tasks on any network. This makes app
virtualization an ideal solution for remote workforces.
 Critical applications: For instance, a hospital using ERP software can
deploy the app to shared devices without having to invest in additional
infrastructure.
 Deploying in-house applications: App virtualization makes it easy for
developers to deliver and update in-house applications.
 Pros and cons of app virtualization

Pros of Application Virtualization:

Compatibility: Application virtualization can help resolve compatibility issues
by allowing older or incompatible applications to run on newer operating
systems.
Isolation: Applications are isolated from each other, which can prevent
conflicts and ensure that changes or issues in one application do not affect
others.
Simplified Deployment: Virtualized applications can be deployed more easily
and quickly than traditional installations since they don't require extensive
configuration on the host system.
Version Control: It's easier to manage different versions of the same
application since they can run side by side without conflicts.
Resource Efficiency: Virtualized applications typically use fewer system
resources because they share common components and libraries.
Security: Application virtualization can enhance security by sandboxing
applications, making it more difficult for malware to spread and compromise
the underlying system.
Portability: Virtualized applications are self-contained, making them portable
across different machines and environments.
Centralized Management: IT administrators can centrally manage and update
virtualized applications, simplifying maintenance and patching.
Reduced System Clutter: Virtualized applications do not leave behind a trail
of registry entries and system files, leading to cleaner systems.

Cons of Application Virtualization:

Performance Overhead: There can be a slight performance overhead because
of the additional layer of abstraction between the application and the operating
system.
Resource Consumption: While virtualized applications are generally more
resource-efficient than traditional installations, they still consume some system
resources.
Complexity: Implementing application virtualization can be complex,
especially in large enterprise environments.

Licensing Costs: Some application virtualization solutions may have licensing

costs associated with them, adding to the overall cost of implementing the
technology.
Limited Support for All Applications: Not all applications are suitable for
virtualization. Some highly complex or low-level system applications may not
work well in a virtualized environment.
Dependency on Virtualization Infrastructure: Organizations using
application virtualization solutions become dependent on the virtualization
infrastructure, making it critical to maintain and manage.
Integration Challenges: Integrating virtualized applications with other
components of the IT environment, such as identity management and data
storage, can be challenging.
Compatibility with GPU-Intensive Applications: Virtualization may not work
well for GPU-intensive applications, as the GPU resources may not be easily
shared among virtualized applications.
Limited Support for Certain OS Features: Virtualization may limit access to
certain operating system features or APIs that applications rely on.

Application Virtualization vs. Desktop

Virtualization

Application Virtualization Desktop Virtualization

Streamlines access to specific needed Offers full desktop with multiple

applications. apps, files, and data installed.

The desktop experience may differ Enhances the desktop experience by

between applications. delivering consistency.

There is relatively less flexibility on Provides flexibility to virtual

an individual app basis. infrastructures.

Gives the experience of a desktop

The experience is individual for each
without investing in costly
application.
installations.

Isolates the application from the Applications are connected to the

operating system. underlying OS.

Maintaining and updating

Updating applications may require
applications is easier and does not
redeploying the update to all VDIs.
disrupt the user experience.

Role of Virtualization in enabling the Cloud Virtualization

Benefits
Virtualization plays a critical role in enabling cloud computing and offers
several key benefits that make cloud computing more efficient, scalable, and
cost-effective. Here are some of the key benefits of virtualization in the context
of enabling cloud services:
Resource Consolidation: Virtualization allows multiple virtual machines
(VMs) to run on a single physical server, effectively consolidating resources.
This consolidation reduces the need for a large number of physical servers,
leading to significant cost savings in terms of hardware, power, and cooling.
Efficient Resource Utilization: Virtualization enables more efficient use of
hardware resources. It allows you to allocate CPU, memory, storage, and
network resources dynamically based on demand. This ensures that resources
are used optimally, reducing waste and lowering operational costs.
Isolation and Security: VMs are isolated from each other, running their own
separate operating systems and applications. This isolation enhances security
because any vulnerabilities or breaches in one VM are less likely to affect
others.

Scalability and Flexibility: Virtualization makes it easy to scale resources up

or down as needed. In a cloud context, this means you can quickly provision
additional VMs to meet increasing demand or scale down during periods of
lower utilization. This scalability is a fundamental feature of cloud services.
Improved Management: Virtualization platforms typically include
management tools that simplify the management and monitoring of VMs. These
tools enable tasks like provisioning, backup, and disaster recovery, making it
easier to maintain and manage cloud resources.
Resource Allocation Policies: Virtualization allows you to define resource
allocation policies, ensuring that critical workloads receive the necessary
resources to perform optimally. This enables better performance management
and quality of service in cloud environments.
High Availability and Redundancy: Virtualization facilitates the
implementation of high availability and redundancy solutions. VMs can be
migrated between physical hosts to avoid downtime in the event of hardware
failures or maintenance activities.
Disaster Recovery: Virtualization simplifies disaster recovery planning and
implementation. VM snapshots and replication can be used to create backup
copies of VMs, making it easier to recover data and services in the event of a
disaster.
Cost Savings: By reducing the need for physical hardware and improving
resource utilization, virtualization leads to significant cost savings in terms of
hardware procurement, maintenance, and energy consumption.
Testing and Development: Virtualization is valuable for testing and
development environments. Developers can create isolated VMs to test software
and applications in a controlled environment, reducing the risk of impacting
production systems.
Hardware Independence: VMs are hardware-independent, meaning they can
run on different physical servers without compatibility issues. This makes it
easier to migrate workloads between on-premises infrastructure and cloud
providers or between different cloud providers.
Green Computing: Virtualization contributes to green computing by reducing
the number of physical servers and associated power consumption, leading to a
smaller carbon footprint.

Server Virtualization
Server virtualization is the process of dividing a physical server into multiple
unique and isolated virtual servers by means of a software application. Each
virtual server can run its own operating systems independently.
Server virtualization is a technology that allows multiple virtual servers or
virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server or host. It abstracts
the underlying hardware from the software, enabling greater flexibility, resource
utilization, and management efficiency.
Key Components and Concepts of Server Virtualization:
Hypervisor: The hypervisor is the core component of server virtualization. It is
a software layer or a thin piece of code that sits directly on the physical
hardware (bare-metal) or runs on top of an existing operating system (hosted).
The hypervisor is responsible for managing and allocating physical resources to
VMs, including CPU, memory, storage, and network.
Virtual Machines (VMs): VMs are isolated instances of virtualized servers
running on a single physical server. Each VM operates as if it were an
independent physical server, with its own operating system, applications, and
resources. VMs share the physical hardware but are isolated from each other.
Guest Operating Systems: Each VM typically runs its own guest operating
system, which can be different from the host operating system or other VMs on
the same host. This allows for a wide range of operating systems and
applications to coexist on a single physical server.
Resource Allocation: The hypervisor manages the allocation of physical
resources to VMs. It ensures that each VM gets its fair share of CPU, memory,
and other resources, and it can dynamically adjust allocations to accommodate
changing workload demands.
Benefits of Server Virtualization:
Resource Consolidation: Server virtualization allows multiple VMs to run on a
single physical server, reducing the need for a large number of physical
machines. This consolidation leads to significant cost savings in terms of
hardware, power, and cooling.
Efficient Resource Utilization: Virtualization improves resource utilization by
allowing administrators to allocate and reallocate resources as needed. This
flexibility ensures that resources are used optimally and reduces waste.
Isolation and Security: VMs are isolated from each other, enhancing security.
Any vulnerabilities or breaches in one VM are less likely to affect others. This
is crucial for multi-tenancy in data centers or cloud environments.
Scalability and Flexibility: Server virtualization makes it easy to scale
resources up or down as required. VMs can be provisioned and decommissioned
quickly, accommodating changing workload demands.
High Availability: Virtualization supports high availability through features
like VM migration and failover. VMs can be moved between physical hosts to
avoid downtime in case of hardware failures or maintenance.
Disaster Recovery: VM snapshots and replication enable efficient disaster
recovery solutions. Backup copies of VMs can be created and restored quickly
in case of data loss or disasters.
Testing and Development: Virtualization is valuable for testing and
development environments. Developers can create isolated VMs for software
testing and development without impacting production systems.
Resource Management: Virtualization platforms often include management
tools that simplify tasks like provisioning, backup, monitoring, and resource
allocation, making server management more efficient.
Server virtualization has become a foundational technology in modern IT
infrastructure. It plays a crucial role in data centers, cloud computing, and
enterprise environments, enabling greater flexibility, cost savings, and resource
optimization. It has revolutionized how organizations manage their server
workloads and has contributed to the evolution of cloud computing services.
Block-level virtualization operates at a lower level of abstraction than file-
level virtualization, which means that it has less visibility and control over the
file system metadata and structure, but also less overhead and latency.
Block and file level storage virtualization
Block-level and file-level storage virtualization are two distinct approaches to
abstracting and managing storage resources in a virtualized environment. They
serve different purposes and have unique characteristics. Let's explore each of
them:
Block-Level Storage Virtualization:

Block-level storage virtualization operates at the storage device or block level.

It abstracts and manages storage volumes as blocks of data and presents these
blocks to servers or applications. Here are key characteristics and considerations
for block-level storage virtualization:
Granularity: It deals with storage at a granular level, typically in the form of
disk blocks or sectors. Each block is managed separately, and multiple blocks
can be combined to create storage volumes.
Low-Level Abstraction: Block-level virtualization doesn't have detailed
knowledge of file systems or data structures. It treats storage as a raw collection
of blocks, which allows it to work with various file systems and data types.
Storage Area Network (SAN): Block-level virtualization is commonly
associated with SAN environments. It allows multiple servers to access shared
storage volumes over a high-speed network, such as Fibre Channel or iSCSI.
Scalability: It is well-suited for applications that require high-speed, low-
latency access to storage resources, making it suitable for databases and high-
performance computing.
Data Replication and Snapshots: Block-level virtualization often includes
features like data replication and snapshots, which are crucial for data
protection, disaster recovery, and backup.
Complexity: Managing block-level virtualization can be complex, as it requires
careful consideration of storage allocation, provisioning, and mapping to ensure
optimal performance.
File-Level Storage Virtualization:
File-level storage virtualization operates at a higher level, managing storage
resources in terms of files and directories. It abstracts storage volumes as file
systems and provides access to files and folders rather than raw blocks. Here are
key characteristics and considerations for file-level storage virtualization:
Granularity: It deals with storage at the file and folder level, which is a higher
level of abstraction compared to block-level virtualization.
File System Awareness: File-level virtualization has knowledge of file systems
and can present storage volumes as file shares or network-attached storage
(NAS). It is commonly associated with Network-Attached Storage (NAS)
systems.
User-Friendly: File-level virtualization is user-friendly and is suitable for
applications and environments where access to files and directories is more
important than low-level block access. It simplifies file sharing and
collaboration.
Scalability: It is often used for file-serving purposes in environments where
users need to access and manage large volumes of unstructured data, such as
documents, images, and media files.
Data Management: File-level virtualization includes features like file-level
snapshots and quotas, making it easier to manage file data and enforce storage
policies.
Simplicity: Managing file-level virtualization is typically simpler and more
user-friendly compared to block-level virtualization, making it suitable for
organizations that prioritize ease of use and accessibility.