1.2.1 Resource Pools

A resource pool is a collection of virtual servers, storage, networks, images, and other resources of the same type. The resource pool management function allows you to effectively and efficiently use all resources. The types of resource pools are described below. For details, refer to "Appendix A Resource Pools".

Table 1.2 Resource Pool Types
Resource Pool Types	Overview
VM	A resource pool for storing VM hosts used when creating new servers (VM).
Servers	A resource pool for storing the physical servers used when creating new servers.
Storage	A resource pool for storing virtual storage resources that is capable of dynamic removal of disk resources assigned to servers. The following resources are stored: For VM A file system for creation of VMs and virtual disks such as VMFS (data store) of VMware For physical server An original resource used to create LUN such as ETERNUS RAID groups or NetApp aggregates on storage units
Network	A resource pool for storing network resources with a defined network for connecting servers. For details on network resources, refer to "1.2.6 Simplifying Network Settings".
Address	The following resources are stored: IP address MAC address (Media Access Control address) WWN
Image	The following resources are stored: Cloning images

By using Resource Orchestrator to first register resources to control in a resource pool, a resource can be removed from the resource pool at a user's request and be used to quickly configure a server (with storage and networks). When the server is no longer required, the resource can be reused.

Multiple resource pools can be created depending on operational requirements (hardware type, security, resource management units). If the resources in a resource pool are insufficient, a new resource can be added or a resource can be moved from another resource pool to compensate.

Resource pools offer the following benefits.

Until now, launching or expanding business operations required the purchase of servers, storage, networks and other resources. Furthermore, significant time and effort was spent preparing and organizing such operations. Resource Orchestrator can save you time and effort by enabling you to configure a server simply by removing the required resource from a resource pool. This allows you to effectively plan the organization and operation of your infrastructure environment.