Unified Storage Helps Simplify Your Data Storage Unified storage or network unified storage is a storage concept of centralizing and sharing storage resources among multiple servers that makes it possible to run and manage files and applications from a single device. It can help enterprises, large and small build an efficient information infrastructure that lets them store, protect, optimize, and leverage their information, from a single e-mail to production databases. To this end, it consolidates file-based and block-based access in a single storage platform and supports network attached storage. Unified storage is often executed in a NAS platform that is modified to add block-mode support. The advantage of having a dedicated unified storage platform not only makes jobs easy for administrators, it is also inexpensive, easy to use, and fast for file sharing. With shrinking IT budgets to providing adequate storage organization are facing many challenges. The Unified Storage platform fits the current environment due to its lower initial capital investment and relatively low operation cost. The Unified Storage platform comes with the following features:
1. Easy to manage: The management interface needs to be faultless and does not need a dedicated IT administrator to configure, deploy and manage. It can help enterprises, large and small build an efficient information infrastructure that lets them store, protect, optimize, and leverage their information, from a single e-mail to production databases.
2. Scalable - Unified Storage is now used in data center as an alternative to SAN storage thanks to the advanced software functions. Organization benefit from the combination of VMware virtualization technology and Unified Storage to reduce the number of physical storage servers and better storage utilization.
3. Reduced Hardware Requirements - Instead of using separate storage platforms, unified storage combines both modes; NAS for file-based storage and a RAID disk array for blockbased storage, in a single device that can be deployed for either file or block storage as required.
4. Cost - Unified storage systems generally cost the same and enjoy the same level of reliability as dedicated file or block storage systems. Users can also benefit from advanced features such as storage snapshots and replication.
5. Serviceability and support: The constant demand for 24/7/365 universal access is required. The traditional 9 to 5 support model no longer meets this requirement. Experts predict a bright outlook for unified storage products, as they offer an easy to use, scalable storage platform for mid-sized business that helps IT achieve greater operational efficiency while meeting their service-level agreements.