Storage Virtualization

Storage virtualization is the apparent pooling of data from multiple storage devices, even different types of storage devices, into what appears to be a single device that is managed from a central console.

Storage virtualization helps the storage administrator perform the tasks of backup, archiving, and recovery more easily and in less time by disguising the actual complexity of a storage area network (SAN).  Administrators can implement virtualization with software applications or by using hardware and software hybrid appliances.