VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes introduces a storage abstraction layer that provides a common storage platform that is independent of the underlying hardware.
The services that are provided by the abstraction layer are the same regardless of the underlying resources.
Virtual volumes provide a common storage platform, independent of the underlying storage hardware.
The advantages this gives us as administrators is as follows:
- Native representation of VMDKs on SAN/NAS:
- No LUNs or volume management.
- Works with existing SAN/NAS systems.
- A new control path for data operations at the VM/VMDK level.
- Snapshots, replications, and other operations at the VM level on external storage.
- Automates control of per-VM service levels.
- VMware vSphere® API for Storage Awareness™ protocol endpoint provides standard protocol access to storage.
- Storage containers can span an entire array.
I attended VMworld and the VVOL deep dive session was one of the sessions on my list.
The session is hosted by Patrick Dirks and Pete Flecha. Worth a watch
