Virtualization of Storage Devices

Systems and techniques relating to storage technologies include, according to an aspect, a data processing apparatus including: a processor; a controller coupled with the processor; a solid state drive coupled with the controller; and a mass storage drive coupled with the controller; wherein at least a portion of the solid state drive and the mass storage drive are virtualized as a single physical storage drive; wherein multiple applications stored in the virtualized single physical storage drive are configured to run on the processor; wherein one or more applications in a hot application group are stored in the solid state drive, and one or more applications in a cold application group are stored in the mass storage drive; and wherein each of the multiple applications is actively monitored and placed in either the hot application group or the cold application group.