Virtualization Solutions

Virtualization essentially allows the running of a number of virtual systems on one physical system. As such, virtualization solutions are proving incredibly cost efficient for businesses of all sizes. Depending on your hardware, you could run 4 – 6 servers from just one physical server. Virtualization solutions are commonly implemented as part of a disaster recovery strategy [link to Disaster Recovery page] – needs linking, and can be used to create testing environments, cut the IT costs of a business and save power as well.

The Benefits of Implementing a Virtualization Strategy

Virtualization has countless business benefits. Implementing a virtualization strategy does not necessarily mean upgrading all your servers. In fact, you could put old servers to use, saving money by continuing to use your existing hardware. There are also power saving measures and temperature control measures that can save on the amount of power used by running the hardware itself, all of which add up to a great level of cost efficiency. The ability to share resources, without a performance hindrance, is an effective means of boosting company productivity. As part of a Disaster Recovery plan, virtualization can minimise loss caused by a hardware failure by recovering lost data and restoring operations, as well as ensuring downtime is at an absolute minimum. For a business, where time has a cost, this is becoming extremely important as we have an ever increasing reliance on IT.

Server Consolidation

Server consolidation refers to the efficient usage of computer server resources in order to reduce the total number of servers or server locations that an organisation requires. The practice was developed in response to the problem of server sprawl – a situation in which multiple, under-utilized servers take up more space and resources than can be justified by their contribution to the business productivity. You can get more from your existing resources by consolidating x86 servers using Virtualization. The traditional “one workload, one box,” approach to server provisioning inevitably leads to over-provisioning and underutilisation of hardware assets. In fact, most servers operate at only 5-15% of their total capacity. In addition to this, the costs of delivering power, cooling, network infrastructure, storage infrastructure, administrative overhead and real estate to under-utilised servers continues to increase. Through the implementation of a server consolidation strategy, you can convert your x86 physical machines into fully functional virtual machines which can be carried out with minimal disruption or system downtime.

Desktop Virtualization

Desktop virtualization solutions essentially enable a personal computer’s desktop environment to be separated from a physical machine. The implementation of a desktop virtualization strategy has a number of potential benefits for businesses:-

• Centralised data protection
• Eliminate PC move add change costs
• Eliminate local PC’s, Space, Noise and Heat
• Eliminates downtime due to local PC’s
• Fast boot and application launch
• Simpler provisioning of new desktops
• Reduced downtime in the event of server or client hardware-failures
• Lower cost of deploying new applications
• Desktop image-management capabilities
• Longer refresh cycle for client desktop infrastructure
• Secure remote access to an enterprise desktop environment

Storage Virtualization

Storage virtualization is the amalgamation of multiple network storage devices into what appears to be a single storage unit.  Storage virtualization is often used in SAN (storage area network), a high-speed sub network of shared storage devices, and makes tasks such as archiving, back-up, and recovery much easier and faster.

Server Virtualization

Virtualization is software technology which uses a physical resource such as a server and divides it up into virtual resources called virtual machines (VM's). Virtualization allows users to consolidate physical resources, simplify deployment and administration, and reduce power and cooling requirements. Virtualization technology is currently most popular in the server world. In addition to this, virtualization technology is also being used in data storage scenarios, such as Storage Area Networks.

Innov8 Virtualization Services