6.7

Table Of Contents
This chapter includes the following topics:
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Virtual Machine Storage Policies
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Workflow for Virtual Machine Storage Policies
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Populating the VM Storage Policies Interface
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About Rules and Rule Sets
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Creating and Managing VM Storage Policies
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About Storage Policy Components
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Storage Policies and Virtual Machines
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Default Storage Policies
Virtual Machine Storage Policies
Virtual machine storage policies are essential to virtual machine provisioning through SPBM. The policies
control which type of storage is provided for the virtual machine and how the virtual machine is placed
within storage. They also determine data services that the virtual machine can use.
vSphere offers default storage policies. In addition, you can define policies and assign them to the virtual
machines.
You use the VM Storage Policies interface to create a storage policy. When you define the policy, you
specify various storage requirements for applications that run on the virtual machines. You can also use
storage policies to request specific data services, such as caching or replication, for virtual disks.
You apply the storage policy when you create, clone, or migrate the virtual machine. After you apply the
storage policy, the SPBM mechanism assists you with placing the virtual machine in a matching
datastore. In certain storage environments, SPBM determines how the virtual machine storage objects
are provisioned and allocated within the storage resource to guarantee the required level of service. The
SPBM also enables requested data services for the virtual machine and helps you to monitor policy
compliance.
Workflow for Virtual Machine Storage Policies
The entire process of creating and managing storage policies typically includes several steps.
Whether you must perform a specific step might depend on the type of storage or data services that your
environment offers.
vSphere Storage
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