Server virtualization is something every organization should consider. Virtualization is an environment where many ‘virtual computers’ are running on a single server, frequently in the cloud. But why should you consider it for your IT infrastructure? Following are seven reasons your organization should invest in server virtualization.
Cost Savings
The number of servers required is reduced, so savings from hardware purchases is realized. This consolidation, in turn, reduces the footprint of your data center, minimizing need for power, cooling, and equipment. This also is a benefit to the environment, helping your organization ‘Go Green.’
Easier Administration
Servers running on a single machine reduces the amount of time administrators have to spend configuring multiple servers, mainly due to a common interface. It’s also possible to run multiple operating systems on the same machine. Providing security for a single machine running multiple servers is also much easier. And because creating replicas of your virtual servers is easy, testing security updates becomes easier and safer, before unleashing them on the ‘real’ environment.
Efficient Use of Hardware
Servers running virtual machines realize as much as 80% utilization of resources instead of the 15% typical of standalone servers. Running multiple machines on a single server makes greater use of the available CPUs, RAM and other overhead. While a server capable of virtualization may be more expensive, the hardware it replaces gives a higher ROI. And once you maximize these resources, increasing CPUs, drives and RAM is a snap.
Ability to Port Legacy Systems
Let’s face it. Every IT environment has a few legacy systems running on older hardware. Since they still work, and you can’t buy new hardware to run them on, most IT managers just leave them be and hope for the best. In a virtual environment, the underlying OS and applications are encapsulated, so you can port these legacy systems to new hardware and extend their life.
Isolate Applications and Improve Software Efficiency
In a typical environment, there is one application per server. In addition to being less efficient from a hardware perspective, it’s also not the most effective use of your software resources. With server virtualization, you still reap the benefits of application isolation without the waste of unused resources. In addition, as deploying software in a virtual environment becomes more second nature, you can begin deploying along functional lines instead of a traditional server/application approach.
Easier Disaster Recovery and Better Business Continuity
Disaster recovery in a virtual environment becomes easier because taking a ‘snapshot’ of your environment is a built-in benefit of server virtualization. Moving this snapshot from one machine to another, either because of a disaster, or simply to upgrade hardware is trivial. Also, you can improve business continuity by hosting your virtual servers in the cloud.
Move Your Data Center to the Cloud
This leads straight into the best reason for server virtualization; the ease at which you can move your environment to the cloud. This increases each of the previous benefits. Your infrastructure and data center foot-print is minimized. Administration becomes easier using an integrated interface. The ability to park your servers in a co-hosted environment increases the efficiency of your hardware investment. And because your servers are in the cloud, in a secure environment with redundant systems monitored 24/7, you can be assured of business continuity.
Migrating to the Cloud
There are a variety of options when it comes to cloud hosting and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Consult with an IT Professional, like Element IT Solutions to chose which option is right for you.
