File virtualization in

However, it has several trade-offs. First, it's much less mature, and the vendors are small and therefore less stable. Second, it puts a single point of failure, the physical file virtualization box, directly in the data stream. If the box fails, it can take down all data access until a spare can take over. Users, therefore, need to decide which technology best meets their overall needs. In part this depends on how comfortable the individual organization is with depending on a small vendor for a key component to their data stream and with creating a potential single-point-of-failure in their network.

Another issue with file virtualization is confusion in the marketplace. He decided that what the marketplace needs is a reference architecture that the vendors can work to, so that their products can become less confusing to users and interface more smoothly with each other.

To accomplish this, he created the File Area Network FAN model, and he has obtained buy-in from all the major vendors. Over time this should simplify the marketplace, making it easier for users to enter. Business management has long wanted to be able to see all information in the enterprise on a given subject at once, in one place. File virtualization, says O'Neill, is a major step in this direction.

However, it's important to understand that it's limited to unstructured data in file systems. It can't work with e-mail, IM or formatted documents in word processing or PDF-type formats, for example. Thus, promoters of this technology in the enterprise need to manage end-user expectations carefully so they understand what they can and cannot expect from an investment in this technology. The good news, O'Neill says, is the payback period for investments in these technologies can be very short.

The testing below will impact Personalization for everyone on this machine. Disable File Virtualization - Stops Environment Manager using the virtual filesystem forcing it to use the real locations instead. Disable Registry Virtualization - Stops Environment Manager using the virtual registry forcing it to use the real locations instead.

Depending on the outcome of the above tests, you should now know if the problem with your application is being caused by File or Registry Virtualization. In some, very rare cases you may find that you still see issues when both File or Registry Virtualization disabled. Skip to Main Content. Home All Products Forum Groups. Best of Techopedia weekly.

News and Special Offers occasional. File Virtualization. Techopedia Explains File Virtualization. What Does File Virtualization Mean? Techopedia Explains File Virtualization File virtualization may often be implemented as an off-the-shelf solution. File virtualization offers several important advantages, which include: a global namespace to index files on network file servers, the ability to overcome file system size limitations by allocating storage for files on various servers, providing storage management for network-attached NAS and storage area network SAN storage systems.

Related Question What is the difference between cloud computing and virtualization? These Exam Questions and the order of these questions keep changing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Explanation The Question — What is an advantage of implementing file-level virtualization in a data center environment?