Software-defined storage (SDS) is referred to as Computer data storage software for policy-based provisioning and control of data storage that is not reliant on the underlying hardware is in marketing terminology. Software-defined storage often involves some sort of storage virtualization, which allows the storage hardware to be separated from the software that runs it in order to improve efficiency. Policy management for features like as data deduplication, replication, thin provisioning, snapshots, and backup may be provided by the software that facilitates the implementation of a software-defined storage system.
Software-defined storage (SDS) hardware may or may not be equipped with its own abstraction, pooling, or automation software, depending on the manufacturer. A virtual or global file system, for example, may be suggested when built only as software and used exclusively in combination with commodity servers that have internal drives in their motherboards. Using sophisticated big storage arrays as a platform for software implies tools such as storage virtualization or storage resource management, which are categories of products that solve distinct and distinct challenges. The term "intelligent abstraction" refers to a situation in which the policy and management tasks integrate some sort of artificial intelligence to automate protection and recovery. It is possible to deploy software-defined storage using appliances connected to a standard storage area network (SAN), through network-attached storage (NAS), or through the use of object-based storage technologies. The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) launched a study on software-defined storage in March 2014, and it is still ongoing.