Operations Optimization (Virtualization/Automated Storage
Tiering)
The Thin Provisioning function and the Flexible Tier function can be used for disk virtualization. These functions
reduce the initial cost by optimizing the usability of physical capacity. The power consumption requirements can
also be reduced because a fewer number of drives are installed.
Thin Provisioning
The Thin Provisioning function sets virtually-available capacity regardless of the actual physical capacity that is
registered.
In an environment where the Thin Provisioning function is used, the capacity is allocated to virtual volumes in-
stead of physical disks to meet user's requests. Physical disks are managed as a shared disk pool. Physical disks
are allocated a capacity that is in proportion to the amount of data that is written to the virtual volume. This
enables efficient usage of physical disks by making sure that there are no unused physical disks.
A threshold for a physical disk pool to prevent any capacity shortage and a function that automatically notifies
the administrator when the threshold is reached enable drives to be added when needed.
Figure 10 Example of Thin Provisioning
Although the disk usage rate differs for each volume,
the free area of these volumes cannot be shared.
Used area
Free area
Vol.1
Vol.1 to Vol.3 Used area
Free area
Vol.2 Vol.3
The ph
ysical disk can be managed by a pool, and unused
capacity is shared with virtual volumes that belong to the
pool.
Conventional way Thin Provisioning
Free area in the physical disk
is shared with each volume.
3. Basic Functions
Operations Optimization (Virtualization/Automated Storage Tiering)
33
FUJITSU Storage ETERNUS DX500 S3/DX600 S3 Hybrid Storage Systems
Overview
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