Virtualization: What Is It?

 

 

Virtualization:  What Is It?

 

 

Virtualization in computer jargon is not a new concept.  The Windows or Mac "desktop" is an analogy that allows users to conceptualize a place in their computer to store things for rapid accessibility.  The desktop is actually a space on the computer hard drive, but users don't need to know that to make use of it, they just need to think of the desktop as if it were a surface on a real (or physical) desk.

The current buzz in IT over virtualization refers to virtualization of servers, and server storage.  These days, several server functions like email, database, domain controller, file server, or application server can be hosted (or live) in one physical server.  To take it one step further, these virtual server functions can live or run inside a physical server along with servers from a totally different company.  This would be useful for sharing resources like CPU cycles, RAM, AC power, and storage in order to reduce the monthly cost of renting the server resources.  Usually, this type of server virtualization is hosted in a datacenter owned and operated by a major hosting company like Amazon or Rackspace.  In this example, you could say that these servers are hosted "in the cloud".  Server disk storage can also be aggregated and shared by use of storage systems called SANs (Storage Area Networks) where a group of physical hard disks are grouped to form a flexible storage pool that can act like separate physical hard drives to multiple virtual servers.  This virtual storage has the benefit of being able to expand and contract as each server requires, thereby reducing the total cost of storage.

Advantages of Public Cloud based virtualization are:

• Shared cost, or pay as you go model
• Easy rapid expandability
• Someone else is responsible - reduced internal IT staffing

There are also reasons to convert physical servers to virtual servers, even if the servers need to remain local to the business.  This local virtualization is sometimes referred to as "Private Cloud" technologies:

• Consolidate ageing off-warranty servers onto new hardware.
• Reduce power and cooling cost.
• Assist in business continuity and disaster recovery design.

This logic also applies to local storage for the following benefits:

• Pool storage for efficient utilization.
• Open up advanced features such as remote data duplication and snapshots.
• Orderly expansion of storage, buy only what you need.

Sometimes a company may choose to use elements of the Public Cloud and the Private Cloud.  This combination of technologies is often called Private Cloud as it uses both virtualization technologies where they make sense.  For instance, a company may choose to have public cloud services for email and accounting, while maintaining a local virtual server which hosts the network login server, a database server, and a file server.

The staff of highly qualified network engineers at Blueline Computer, LLC can help you decide the right solution for your particular needs.  Once that design is established, our staff can develop a migration plan and execute the transition with minimal impact to your business operations.  Furthermore, our design will incorporate business continuity features that will give you confidence that your business systems will be reliable and recoverable when disaster strikes.