Converged storage is the combination of storage and computing hardware and processes to speed delivery time, optimize application performance, and minimize power, cooling, and physical space requirements in virtualized and cloud-based environments. This approach contrasts with the traditional storage model, in which storage and computing take place in separate hardware entities.

According to Hewlett-Packard (HP), one of the leaders in storage convergence, information technology (IT) needs are rapidly growing in the physical, virtual, and cloud environments. The need for risk reduction is increasing as the complexity and scope of threats from hostile sources grows. Business and governments are demanding fast and efficient backup, archiving, and search functions in ever-more-massive data centers. Experts at HP project that the world's total data archive content will reach 300,000 petabytes by the year 2015. Converged storage systems can provide the means to ensure that businesses and governments will be able manage this amount of information efficiently and at reasonable cost.

In a converged storage system, standardized platforms employ widely available x86-based hardware to streamline operations and keep costs under control. Virtualized storage supports data growth and mobility with a minimum of disruption. In the cloud, converged management automates and accelerates application delivery to and from clients. In the ideal system, the physical, logical, and management barriers that have historically encumbered data storage, retrieval, and search operations will no longer exist.

16 Apr 2013