Thin provisioning definition
Thin provisioning is a storage management technique that allocates disk space in a flexible manner among multiple users. It appears to have more physical resources than are actually available. How? By assigning memory space on demand rather than upfront. It’s an effective tool in various computing environments.
See also: self-provisioning
Use cases of thin provisioning
- Cloud computing. Cloud services utilize thin provisioning to allocate storage for diverse clients efficiently. This method maximizes space while minimizing costs.
- Virtual servers. Thin provisioning in virtual environments allocates necessary storage to each server and reduces excess storage allocation.
- Data storage. Data centers leverage thin provisioning for scalable storage solutions, accommodating fluctuating data volumes effectively.
- Corporate IT. In corporate IT, thin provisioning offers adaptable and scalable storage management. It efficiently meets evolving needs.
- Database expansion. For databases, thin provisioning dynamically allocates space and ensures adequate room for growth while conserving resources.