For companies who are moving to a virtual server infrastructure such as VMware ESX, Microsoft Hyper-V or Citrix XenSource, optimizing the storage infrastructure to support the new virtual server infrastructure should be (but unfortunately frequently has not been) a critical part of the planning process. In order to take full advantage of the true benefits of virtualization, and to help IT meet 2009 goals of doing more with less, network storage and storage virtualization capabilities should be seriously evaluated as a key part of the implementation plan.

This FOCUS Brief discusses the factors driving choices of storage solutions associated with virtual infrastructures. It describes the NetApp FAS3100 Series of storage solutions for virtual infrastructure and the key benefits of the solutions. The Brief discusses the markets addressed by the solutions and concludes with a FOCUS assessment of the solutions.