file virtualization

File virtualization is a technique in which no fixed storage locations are allocated and unused storage capacity from all file servers is available to all clients.

In file virtualization, an abstraction layer is inserted between the file servers and clients. This layer is used to compile individual files and also entire file systems across all file servers. The files on the file servers in the network are indexed with a global namespace, which results in greater flexibility.

With file virtualization, organizations have the ability to reactivate and aggregate unused storage capacity and migrate between file servers. Virtualization can be software-based but also hardware-based and is often implemented through appliances.