As users extend the use of virtualization from single servers to multiple systems throughout a datacenter or organization, the integration of virtual machine platforms and storage infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. Virtual machines often access their data from Storage Area Networks (SANs), and often they may boot from SANs as well. As a result, the storage system thus becomes one of the most critical components in managing virtualized infrastructures.

Virtual machine platforms can strengthen their integration with storage infrastructures in several ways, including support for a Cluster File System (CFS), in which multiple virtual machines share a single, consistent view of shared network storage; integrating with SANs in which physical storage devices can be accessed transparently over the network; and integrating with Network-Attached Storage (NAS) devices on which many departmental and branch office environments depend.

Click on one of the links below to see how the studied virtual machine platforms compare for supporting these storage features:

	Cluster File System Integration (4 ratings)
	SAN Integration (8 ratings)
	NAS Integration (4 ratings)