Assigning storage resources in a virtualization environment

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing software for managing storage in a virtualization environment, the software comprising:

• executable code that identifies a storage pool having at least a first storage type in a storage array;
• executable code that provides a storage pool manager that manages provisioning of storage corresponding to the storage pool according to a request;
• executable code that controls access to the storage corresponding to the storage pool, wherein access to the storage corresponding to the storage pool is controlled using a virtual container which is administrated separately from the provisioning of the storage;
• executable code that enables a storage administrator to assign the storage corresponding to the storage pool to the virtual container;
• and
• executable code that enables a virtualization entity, that is an entity separate from the storage administrator, to provision storage according to the request from the virtual container.

A storage system comprising:

• a storage array;
• at least one storage server coupled to the storage array;
• and
• at least one server providing functions of a storage pool manager, wherein the functions of the storage pool manager include:
• identifying a storage pool having at least a first storage type in the storage array;
• providing a storage pool manager that manages provisioning of storage corresponding to the storage pool according to a request;
• and
• controlling access to the storage corresponding to the storage pool, wherein access to the storage corresponding to the storage pool is controlled using a virtual container which is administrated separately from the provisioning of the storage and wherein a storage administrator assigns the storage corresponding to the storage pool to the virtual container, and wherein a virtualization entity, that is an entity separate from the storage administrator, provisions storage according to the request from the virtual container.