Storage virtualization abstracts physical storage devices into a virtual pool, from which you can more easily allocate or provision storage to end users or applications. Benefits can include simplified provisioning, non-disruptive data migrations, and increased utilization of storage resources.

File virtualization optimizes file-based storage devices, including Network Attached Storage (NAS) and Windows and Linux file servers. File storage includes both Common Internet File System (CIFS) and Network File System (NFS) protocols and is typically used to store unstructured or file data.

Block virtualization optimizes block storage devices, otherwise known as Storage Area Network (SAN) storage. Block storage includes both Fibre Channel (FC), iSCSI protocols, and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and is typically used to store structured data created by e-mail or database applications.