Fujitsu provides “Storage Virtualization Systems” as a major component of its storage system initiatives. Based on the concepts of “Business Continuity”, “Security Compliance”, “Lifecycle Management”, “Information Sharing” and “Green”, they allow customers to share storage capacity and I/O performance, as and when required. This results in very efficient storage resource use, more efficient device control and simpler, coordinated, operation and growth management.

The combination of a virtualization switch with the integrated storage management software ETERNUS SF Storage Cruiser allows management of multiple disk storage systems to be achieved as a single virtualization pool. This enables users to allocate the required number of volumes dynamically without needing to be aware of the physical storage configuration.

When replacing older storage devices, the migration function of the virtualization switch enables safe and secure data migration. The migration process has no effect on applications, which can continue to operate. In addition no server settings need to be changed as the processes can all be executed in the background.

Virtualization has become a key technology in simplifying management issues including system optimization and Green IT. Whilst there are some hurdles to jump before implementing virtualization systems, such as “unclear implementation efficiency”, and “difficulties in deciding application areas and products”., Fujitsu provides answers to these issues by providing services at its “Virtualization Solution Center”, This has been set up inside its total system verification center, known as the “Platform Solution Center”.