It amazes me that even in this day and age, file data is often kept statically in a file server even if migrating that data to another file server would be beneficial from a performance, cost and management perspective. The simple reason for this is that file migration is still a painful, disruptive and often a manual process. AutoVirt makes the challenges being faced around transparent Windows file migration a thing of the past. 
Arun Taneja, founder and senior analyst, Taneja Group
AutoVirt Global Namespace
A global namespace facilitates client access to networked storage
There are two primary benefits of using a global namespace:
- Provide perpetual support for UNC names contained in client shortcuts and embedded links
- Improve organization of networked files
Client referrals with AutoVirt
With the AutoVirt global namespace, IT staff are no longer required to remap client shortcuts and embedded links following a data migration project. Instead, changes to data location are automatically registered in the global namespace. The namespace resolves all client shortcuts to the appropriate location.
The AutoVirt global namespace is also responsible for providing automatic client failover in the event of a file server failure. When a client attempts to access an unresponsive file server, the global namespace automatically resolves the client shortcut to the secondary location of the data. AutoVirt’s replication policy can be used to create and maintain replication relationships.
Improved organization for networked files
The AutoVirt global namespace affords IT the ability to improve the client view of distributed file systems. Multiple additional namespaces, designed by IT to organize files independently of location, can be introduced gradually. Users can browse these namespaces to locate networked shares. These namespaces can be created quickly and easily using copy and paste editing from other namespaces (including any existing Microsoft DFS namespaces).
Installing a Global Namespace
Many organizations have hesitated to insert a global namespace because the conversion is often a laborious, manual process. Most global namespaces, including Microsoft DFS, require UNC names to be changed upon implementation, one at a time.
The AutoVirt global namespace model is different. AutoVirt provides automated namespace creation and support of pre-existing UNC names.
During installation, AutoVirt automatically inventories the file server environment to create a complete map. Administrators use this map to designate which file servers will receive client referrals through the global namespace. When a file server is selected for AutoVirt management, the map of its contents – from root to leaf-level folders – is automatically stored in the namespace. The automated file server inventory makes it possible for AutoVirt to support indefinitely the pre-existing UNC names – even after the file servers they once referenced have crumbled to dust.
