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FAQ: Virtualization storage consolidation and shared storage
Virtualization lets you consolidate servers, but it’s also beneficial to consolidate storage. Shared storage is a good way to centralize virtualization storage management. FAQ
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Storage network choices for virtualization: A guide
Choosing a storage network is like selecting sunglasses. Cost, style and support are all vital considerations. For storage networking, there’s Fibre Channel, iSCSI or FCoE. Tutorial
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Server virtualization technology options: A face-off directory
When it comes to server virtualization technology, you have lots of options: ISCSI or NFS? Xen or KVM? Experts debate these options and more. GUIDE
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Virtual server backup tutorial
Virtual server backup tools are crucial. But if you don’t properly implement a VM backup strategy, as described in this backup tutorial, performance may suffer. Virtualization School
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Quiz: Virtualization backup strategies and tools
Think you’re a hotshot when it comes to virtualization backup strategies? Even if you’re new to the subject, this quiz on will help you gauge your knowledge. Quiz
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Virtual server backup and recovery FAQ
Restoring VM data quickly requires a solid virtual server backup method. Snapshots, deduplication and third-party tools can help you achieve VM backup success. FAQ
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Unified backup management: The search for the Holy Grail
Managing physical and virtual backups together is tough. No single tool can meet all your needs, but there are some strategies to make backup management easier. Advisory Board
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Using VMware Consolidated Backup: Considerations and admin tips
This resource guide on VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) provides tips, articles and information on VCB configuration, considerations and training. Resource Guide
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Virtual server storage study guide
So you think you're an expert on virtual server storage? Take this quiz to test your knowledge and find out what else you need to know about this important topic. Study Guide
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Virtualization storage, virtualized applications and more resolutions
Members of our Server Virtualization Advisory Board resolve to focus on virtualization storage, deploy more virtualized applications and upgrade to new technologies in 2010. Advisory Board
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Storage and DR take virtualization center stage in 2012
Storage and disaster recovery will be on the front lines of the battle to virtualize the data center in 2012. News | 04 Jan 2012
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QuorumSoft adds file-level restore for XenServer: News in brief
Actifio scores funding, expands in North America; DataCore melds software with Microsoft SCOM; EMC Iomega, StorMagic certified for vSphere 5. News | 09 Dec 2011
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VMware vSphere Storage Appliance: Devil's in the details
SMBs should read the fine print before deploying VMware’s vSphere Storage Appliance, according to some who have kicked the tires on the product. News | 28 Nov 2011
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Crafting a virtual DR plan that actually works
Implementing a virtual DR plan is a cost-effective and efficient way to keep business up and running after a disaster. Column | 27 Oct 2011
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Hyper-V 3.0 shared-nothing live migration a boon for small shops
Shared-nothing live migration in Hyper-V 3.0 will improve small IT shops’ planned maintenance prospects, but the technology comes with some limits. News | 22 Sep 2011
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Quantum, Acronis target VMware backup and recovery at VMworld
Quantum and Acronis target VMware backup and recovery at VMworld: Quantum launches vmPRO 4000 appliance and Acronis rolls out vmPROtect 6. News | 29 Aug 2011
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Virtualization pros get flashy with tier-one apps
Flash storage can break I/O and latency bottlenecks that would otherwise hamper virtualizing high-performance applications. News | 22 Aug 2011
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Veeam, Quest gain virtual backup customers: News in brief
Two virtualization management companies boast customer growth, plus: VKernel launches new API, VMTurbo releases Cloud Operations Manager and other virtualization news. News | 22 Jul 2011
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Redirection to the rescue: I/O tools boost virtualization projects
From managing backup copies to server-side SSD caching, users say emerging I/O redirection and optimization tools are key to managing storage in virtual infrastructures. News | 31 May 2011
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Hyper-V users make storage and DR wish list
For Microsoft TechEd 2011 attendees deploying Hyper-V, integrating storage management and data replication represent the next frontier. News | 20 May 2011
- See More: News on Virtual server backup and storage
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Simplifying virtual networking with Converged Network Adapters
Converged Network Adapters are ideal for virtual networking consolidation. They don’t discriminate, passing both FCoE and TCP/IP traffic. Tip
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Off-site storage for virtualization: Pros and cons of remote storage
If you really want to protect your data, get rid of it. Transferring data to off-site storage can be a solid virtualization storage strategy. Tip
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Virtualization storage performance monitoring: Metrics and tools
Storage performance monitoring ensures that you’re warned of low storage capacity and that you’re up to date on virtualization storage usage trends. Tip
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Virtualization storage thin provisioning and lifecycle planning
Thin provisioning means you can flexibly add storage and expand virtual hard disks when needs rise, but don’t overprovision. You could end up with poor performance and low physical capacity. Tip
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Virtualization storage provisioning: Improving storage performance
To avoid wasting virtualization storage capacity, you need to allocate the right amount to each application and monitor vigilantly. Tip
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Data deduplication reduces storage requirements: Law firm case study
One large law firm objected to document storage requirements. Along with virtualization, storage consolidation and data deduplication overruled. Tip
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Reducing virtualization storage requirements with thin provisioning
Storage requirements can make virtualization storage management tricky, but thin provisioning provides a flexible way to allocate storage space. Tip
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Storage space savers: Tiered storage, consolidation, data deduplication
Sometimes, virtualization storage just needs its space. You can save space with tiered storage, data deduplication and storage consolidation. Tip
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Dynamic storage allocation with thin provisioning: Pros and cons
Allocating virtualization storage is easy with thin provisioning. But this dynamic storage allocation method can complicate storage management. Tip
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FCoE considerations with virtualization: Support, SAN integration
Fibre Channel over Ethernet can improve network reliability, but not all vendors support FCoE, and it can be tricky integrating it with network switches and adapters. Tip
- See More: Tips on Virtual server backup and storage
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Setting up shared storage for VMware ESX Server
Site expert Andrew Kutz answers a user question on creating shared storage in a VMware ESX Server environment. Ask the Expert
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Using VDI images to stream applications
In this expert response, site expert James Geis highlights the advantages of streaming applications in VDI images to save virtual machine space. Ask the Expert
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Migrating to a virtual server: The effect on storage
Virtualization expert James Geis discusses storage concerns when migrating from a physical to a virtual server. Ask the Expert
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VSANs vs. SANs
James Geis takes a look at the pros and cons of VSANs as opposed to SANs in this expert response. Ask the Expert
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Which virtualization platform has the best iSCSI support?
If you're trying to decide which virtualization platform offers the best iSCSI support, take a moment to read this expert response from James Geis. Ask the Expert
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Determining the size and number of LUNs
Expanding your virtualized environment? Site expert James Geis answers this user question about determining LUN amounts and sizes in this expert response. Ask the Expert
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The future of the fibre channel and iSCSI
Fibre Channel's future is up in the air and James Geis gives his perspective in this expert response. Ask the Expert
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iSCSI SANs management tools
Looking to implement storage virtualization on iSCSI? Expert James Geis offers his thoughts in this expert response. Ask the Expert
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How virtualization impacts HBA drivers and zoning switches
Virtualizing your data center impacts countless components. Expert James Geis answers this user question on how it affects HBA drivers and zoning switches. Ask the Expert
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Virtualization and iSCSI: Match made in heaven?
iSCSI and virtualization are compatible, but are they perfect for one another? James Geis offers his opinion in this expert response. Ask the Expert
- See More: Expert Advice on Virtual server backup and storage
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VMware ESXi takes center stage in vSphere 4.1
For VMware, ESXi is the hypervisor of the future, starting with vSphere 4.1. Migrating from ESX to ESXi isn't the easiest, but it will be worth it in the long run, two experts say. Podcast
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EMC conference recap: EMC World 2010
EMC World 2010 featured lots of virtualization news from EMC. This EMC conference recap has all the details on EMC's virtualization networking and storage strategies. Podcast
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This Week in Virtualization: Feb. 19, 2010
Virsto Software announced its new Hyper-V storage tool this week. Plus: A new iSCSI SAN hits the virtualization market, and VMware teams up with Mitel on virtual VoIP. Video
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Storage options for virtualization: What's best for your business?
When it comes to virtualization, there are lots of different storage options out there. Find out how to choose the best storage for virtualization in your organization. Podcast
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Vizioncore wins Best of VMworld 2009 award
Vizioncore's Grace Krokidas talks about vRanger 4.0 Pro, which won gold in the Business Continuity and Data Protection Software category. Video
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EMC-NetApp bidding war stresses role of storage in virtualization
As NetApp and EMC vie to acquire Data Domain, virtualization users look for new ways to save money on storage. Podcast
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Storage and DR take virtualization center stage in 2012
Storage and disaster recovery will be on the front lines of the battle to virtualize the data center in 2012. News
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QuorumSoft adds file-level restore for XenServer: News in brief
Actifio scores funding, expands in North America; DataCore melds software with Microsoft SCOM; EMC Iomega, StorMagic certified for vSphere 5. News
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VMware vSphere Storage Appliance: Devil's in the details
SMBs should read the fine print before deploying VMware’s vSphere Storage Appliance, according to some who have kicked the tires on the product. News
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Simplifying virtual networking with Converged Network Adapters
Converged Network Adapters are ideal for virtual networking consolidation. They don’t discriminate, passing both FCoE and TCP/IP traffic. Tip
-
Crafting a virtual DR plan that actually works
Implementing a virtual DR plan is a cost-effective and efficient way to keep business up and running after a disaster. Column
-
FAQ: Virtualization storage consolidation and shared storage
Virtualization lets you consolidate servers, but it’s also beneficial to consolidate storage. Shared storage is a good way to centralize virtualization storage management. FAQ
-
Hyper-V 3.0 shared-nothing live migration a boon for small shops
Shared-nothing live migration in Hyper-V 3.0 will improve small IT shops’ planned maintenance prospects, but the technology comes with some limits. News
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Quantum, Acronis target VMware backup and recovery at VMworld
Quantum and Acronis target VMware backup and recovery at VMworld: Quantum launches vmPRO 4000 appliance and Acronis rolls out vmPROtect 6. News
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Off-site storage for virtualization: Pros and cons of remote storage
If you really want to protect your data, get rid of it. Transferring data to off-site storage can be a solid virtualization storage strategy. Tip
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Virtualization pros get flashy with tier-one apps
Flash storage can break I/O and latency bottlenecks that would otherwise hamper virtualizing high-performance applications. News
- See More: All on Virtual server backup and storage
About Virtual server backup and storage
Increasingly, virtual storage has become part of business continuity strategies for virtualized data centers. But should you use direct-attached storage (DAS), network-attached storage, Fibre Channel or iSCSI storage area networks (SANs)? What are the pros and cons of these methods in terms of cost, performance, ease of use and, most important, reliability? And what about the old traditional physical storage methods? In this section, we offer news, case studies, tutorials and step-by-step instruction on using virtual storage and backup. We consider network infrastructure, performance of various virtual storage technologies, hardware factors and networking technologies such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet's impact on virtual storage solutions. We also compare offerings from virtual storage providers to help you determine which virtual storage products are best suited to your virtualized infrastructure.