What is Virtualization?

Virtualization is one of the newer technologies helping to drive data center consolidation. It is a method of separating an application from the resources needed to run it – processor, memory, operating system, storage and network – from the underlying hardware host. By virtualizing servers and applications, fewer physical servers are actually needed.

Although virtualization has been around for a while, its adoption continues to accelerate as organizations continue to explore ways to reduce costs. Virtualization lets organizations run several virtual machines on a single physical machine, sharing the resources on a single computer across multiple environments.

Virtualization comes in many forms:

• Servers - Software is used to create a “virtual machine” or “VM” which emulates a physical computer. This allows a single physical server to run many VM’s, each capable of running an operating system plus several applications.

• Desktops - A desktop image – consisting of an operating system, data, applications and settings – is encapsulated into a virtual machine that can be stored at a central location and which can be used to serve many users.

• Storage - Physical storage from multiple network storage devices is pooled into what appears to be a single storage device that is managed from a central console. Storage virtualization is commonly used in storage area networks (SANs).

• Application - Organizations that utilize large IP networks and data centers install widely-used programs directly onto their servers allowing users to simultaneously access those programs from their computers. This is also referred to as a “thin client”.

What is the benefit to my organization?

Virtualization of IT infrastructure reduces costs while increasing efficiency, utilization and flexibility of your existing assets. Cost reduction is the primary reason for undertaking virtualization projects and savings can occur through:

• Reducing the number of servers - Fewer servers and related IT hardware will result in lower capital expenditures for organizations. Better management tools also reduces personnel requirements.

• Reducing real estate and energy costs - Fewer servers means reduced real estate to house them which also reduces power and cooling requirements.

• Increases in operational flexibility - Respond to market changes with dynamic resource management, faster server provisioning and improved desktop and application deployment.

• Improved manageability and security - Deploy, manage and monitor secure desktop environments that users can access locally or remotely, with or without a network connection, on almost any standard desktop, laptop or tablet PC.

• High availability and disaster recovery - Because applications and operating systems are separated from physical machines, they can easily be switched to new hardware as needed. Virtual environments can reduce disaster recovery times.