Module 6: Storage Area Network - FC SAN (SAN Virtualization)

Question 1

What is block based storage virtualization?

Answer 1

abstracts block based storage - aggregates LUNs to create storage pools - virtualization layer maps virtual volumes to LUNs

Question 2

What are the benefits of block based storage virtualization?

Answer 2

online expansion of virtual volumes to meet app capacity needs
non-disruptive data migration - traditional LUN migration in physical storage is offline process

Question 3

What happens once virtualization software aggregates the LUNs into virtual pools?

Answer 3

virtual volumes created and assigned to compute systems - virtualization maps the LUNs to each volume

Question 4

What is different about virtualized storage migration?

Answer 4

no physical changes required since compute system still points to same virtual volume at the virtualization layer - however mapping on virtualization layer will change

Question 5

What is a vSAN?

Answer 5

enables a group of node ports to communicate with each other using virtual topology that is defined on physical SAN

multiple vSANs can exist on a SAN - each has own fabric services, configuration, and FC address

Question 6

What are the benefits of vSAN?

Answer 6

improves SAN security, availability and manageability