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Dec 2004
Storage virtualization, take two: A foundation for smart storage emerges
The 451 Group, which produced a 451 Special Report on the first wave of storage virtualization in 2001, now believes the second wave of virtualization is carrying the storage industry. Unlike the first wave, which was focused on simple block-level virtualization, there is more substance and sustainability than hype this time around. Vendors' architectural approaches are becoming solidified, and they have begun to address key issues, such as 'server ownership' conflicts. Storage virtualization will also be a key foundation technology that enables the development of heterogeneous storage services, which, in turn, will help enable emerging computing models, including ILM and utility computing; this has further contributed to the impetus put on the technology's development.
There are multiple drivers fueling this second wave and the overall momentum of the storage virtualization technology space: 1) Storage infrastructures are becoming more complex and diverse, and users must do more with less. 2) New virtualization technologies are emerging that promise new cost and functionality benefits for managing 'tiered' environments. 3) New storage applications are emerging that leverage a virtualized storage infrastructure and are aligned with business objectives. 4) Major storage array vendors are now embracing virtualization – EMC, HDS and IBM are driving this trend, the former two of which were virtualization 'skeptics' in the past.
While development of storage virtualization technologies is accelerating, The 451 Group believes that it may be at least three to four years before these technologies come into the mainstream, and that there will be two more significant waves of development before this occurs. Over this period, the competitive landscape will shift and there will be continued consolidation. Key areas of M&A activity will include file system virtualization companies, NAS 'aggregators' and modular iSCSI storage startups.
This 451 Special Report, 'Virtualization comes in from the cold: a new start for smart storage,' identifies the most compelling segments of technology development and competition in the second wave of storage virtualization, and provides competitive assessments of key vendors within these segments. The report provides an analysis of gaps in the offerings of current market leaders, identifies market opportunities that should direct future product development and vendor competition, and provides a detailed account of the subsequent positioning, investment opportunities and marketplace M&A that will ensue.
This 148-page report was written by lead author Simon Robinson, Sector Head for Storage & Systems, together with John Abbott, Chief Analyst; William Fellows, Principal Analyst; and Steve Wallage, Director of Research for The 451 Group.
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For more details about the report, including a brochure and a detailed table of contents, please fill out the form above, or contact our sales staff:
By email at , or by phone at 212 505 3030 in the US.
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About The 451 Group
The 451 Group is an independent technology industry analyst company focused on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The company’s analysts provide critical and timely insight into the market and competitive dynamics of innovation in emerging technology segments. Clients of the company – at vendor, investor, service- provider and end-user organizations – rely on 451 insight to support both strategic and tactical decision-making for competitive advantage.
The 451 Group is headquartered in New York, with offices in key locations, including San Francisco, London and Boston. For additional information on the company or to apply for trial access to its services, go to: www.the451group.com
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