Unified Storage
Who uses unified storage, and why
Unified storage is ideal for organizations with general-purpose servers that use internal or direct-attached storage for shared file systems, applications, and virtualization. Unified storage replaces file servers and consolidates data for applications and virtual servers onto a single, efficient, and powerful platform.
How unified storage works
Unified storage is a platform with storage capacity connected to a network that provides file-based and block-based data storage services to other devices on the network. Unified storage uses standard file protocols such as Common Internet File System (CIFS) and Network File System (NFS) and standard block protocols like Fibre Channel (FC) and Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) to allow users and applications to access data consolidated on a single device.
Benefits of unified storage
Large numbers and various types and release levels of direct-attached storage or internal storage can be difficult to manage and protect as well as costly due to very low total utilization rates. Unified storage provides the cost savings and simplicity of consolidating storage over an existing network, the efficiency of tiered storage, and the flexibility required by virtual server environments.
