File virtualization allows access to files and folders on multiple servers as if they were in the same place, without interrupting user access. There are two types: out-of-band and in-band. The global namespace responds to requests and displays related information in one place. In-band systems work well with heterogeneous files, while out-of-band systems only work with the same file type.
File virtualization is a method of allowing access to information stored on a network. Users of a file virtualization network are able to access files and folders located on multiple servers as if they were all in the same place. This allows data to be moved without interrupting users’ access to it. There are two different types of file virtualization systems: out-of-band and in-band.
One of the big problems in the modern computerized business world is how to make sure that everyone has access to all the information they need to do a job. To access this information, workers must know the namespace of the information or its location on a storage device. Data about a project might exist on multiple different servers located in different buildings or even in different countries.
File virtualization is a way to access files on different servers using a single access key. Instead of logging into a single server, the user sends a request to the global namespace. The global namespace is a virtual area created by the file virtualization network. It knows where all the files are located on each server. When the user sends a request, the global namespace responds by showing the user all the information associated with that access key regardless of which server stores the data.
This system has several advantages over traditional data archiving methods. The most important thing for the user is that all related information is displayed in the same place, even if half is on a server in New York and the other half on a server in Moscow. File virtualization also allows network administrators to move data without the user knowing it happened. As long as the global namespace knows where the data is, the user can find it using the same access key.
There are two different types of file virtualization systems. Out-of-band systems are software-based. They create a virtual proxy server through which data is accessed. This is an older style of virtualization and only works when all files in the system are of the same type. It has difficulty covering even large geographical areas. Files on an out-of-band system can only be moved when users don’t have access to them.
In-band systems put a physical access point on the network between users and servers. Users send requests to this box to get access to files on servers. This style of virtualization works well with heterogeneous files. It is a newer technology, the main disadvantage of which is that if the physical access point fails, access to the virtual network is impossible until the box can be replaced.
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