The explosion in the number of servers in the datacenter over the past decade and a half has been driven by the proliferation of low-cost, standardized x86 servers and the IT best practice of deploying one application per server. This has led to an explosion in the cost and burden associated with server management to the point where IDC estimates that over 70% of an average company’s IT budget is spent just "keeping the lights on." Server virtualization software is one means of alleviating this burden. By consolidating multiple virtual servers into a single physical server, businesses can reduce datacenter server sprawl and thus reduce the cost and burden associated with server management. Further, virtualization enables operating system (OS) environment portability, greatly facilitating the deployment of cost-effective, easy-to-manage disaster recovery solutions.
Benefits
- Reduce capital and operational costs
- Simplified disaster recovery solutions
- Simplify server management burden
- Increase business agility
- Ease migration to the cloud
Go Green
- Reduce the number of physical servers and computers needed
- Reduce the number of peripheral devices needed in your data center such as battery backups, switches, etc
- Lower power usage due to less physical machines and peripheral devices
- Less heat buildup reducing the need for additional cooling in your data center
Client or Server Hyper-V
Hyper-V provides an environment in which you can run multiple operating systems at the same time on one physical computer. Each virtual machine is an isolated, virtualized computer system that can run its own operating system.
Desktop Virtualization
Desktop virtualization is software technology that separates the desktop environment and associated application software from the physical client device that is used to access it.
Application Virtualization
Application Virtualization (App-V) can make an application run in a virtualized environment, without having to install or configure it on the local machine.
Requirements
- Host operating system must be 64 bit (the virtual machines can be 32 or 64 bit)
- Both Intel and AMD processors are supported. The processor must support hardware assisted virtualization and Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
- Minimum of 4 GB of RAM
- Enough hard drive space to host the Virtual Machines
Additional hardware requirements might be needed depending on the requirements of the virtual machines.
Example Scenarios
Virtualization has many uses in the workplace. Below are a few examples of where this might be a great feature to integrate into your organization.
Legacy Applications
Applications that require an older version of Windows or Windows Server can be run in a virtual machine without having to worry about finding replacement parts for older machines.
Preparing for migrating to the cloud
By virtualizing your servers you can easily transfer them to a hosted public or private cloud provider.
Testing application compatibility with a new operating system
If you have been holding off on upgrading pcs due to worries about compatibility issues with Windows 8 or Windows 10 running a virtual machine for testing of your applications in the new OS is a much more cost effective way to test than by buying a new PC.
Testing an updated version of mission critical software
Prior to releasing an updated version of mission critical software you can test it in a virtual environment to make sure there are no issues that will prevent your employees from doing their jobs.
For more information
If you would like more information on how A Better Network can help you incorporate these technologies into your business call us at 206-923-2100 or you can send us a message from our contact us page.
Thank you,
The ABN Staff