| Virtualization is the latest technology to | | | | multiple virtual connections. These connections can |
| revolutionize IT, data centers, and nearly all | | | | be more easily managed in order to service |
| computing operations. The wide range of | | | | hardware and shift loads when a network device |
| virtualization solutions has created new | | | | fails. This dynamic and robust setup helps to |
| opportunities for efficient information technology | | | | ensure stable data center networks. |
| operations that any company can access and | | | | Virtual Software and Applications |
| afford. When it comes to data center | | | | A large portion of virtualization solutions' cost |
| virtualization, there are many services and | | | | savings can come from using virtual software. A |
| procedures available to streamline any or all parts | | | | central server hosts all the necessary software |
| of data center management. | | | | and applications and then distributes them to |
| Nearly any IT component or procedure can be | | | | terminals as they are needed. Each user's terminal |
| made virtual. Data storage itself can be optimized | | | | provides the processing power and memory, but |
| with virtual drive utilization. Networks can be set | | | | the installed files remain on the host computer. In |
| up and managed with virtual partitions and | | | | doing so, costly, redundant application installations |
| connections to streamline communications and | | | | can be avoided, and scaling up the number of |
| wiring. Applications and software can be | | | | terminals that need to run a given application |
| distributed from a central server to end user | | | | becomes turnkey. |
| terminals. Even hardware can be made virtual by | | | | Making Hardware Virtual |
| parceling out centralized processing power on | | | | On the other hand, virtualization solutions can take |
| demand. Operating systems themselves can be | | | | the form of virtual hardware as well. Instead of |
| made virtual, turning access terminals into | | | | having each terminal as a fully-fledged computer, |
| full-fledged computers. | | | | complete with processor and memory, terminals |
| Virtualization and Data Storage | | | | can consist of a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. |
| Optimizing data storage with virtualization solutions | | | | The required processor power is assigned from |
| breaks down into two main methods. First, block | | | | an efficient, high power computer or server on an |
| virtualization enables distributed storage networks | | | | as-needed basis. Every data center operation |
| to appear to be a single physical device. Data | | | | would be dynamically allocated CPU power, |
| center virtualization, in this respect, would consist | | | | ensuring that computing resources are used |
| of information that is mapped to remote drives | | | | efficiently without waste. |
| instead of local hard drives. This scheme creates | | | | Operating Systems |
| individual, virtual hard drives for each user that are | | | | Combining hardware, software, and operating |
| all located on a network drive but appear to, and | | | | system virtualization can create comprehensive |
| function as, a typical hard drive. Data is then | | | | virtualization solutions. Data center access |
| connected with a central source instead of | | | | terminals, instead of being a complete computer, |
| disparate local drives, increasing data storage | | | | could instead be a set of input devices with all the |
| efficiency without sacrificing accessibility. | | | | required components being distributed from a |
| File virtualization solutions are geared towards | | | | central, high efficiency central server. Each |
| providing flexibility for both users and networks. | | | | terminal would only use the resources it needed |
| Typically, workers manipulate files directly, | | | | without having to have dedicated hardware and |
| navigating to a specific drive in order to open, | | | | software, which is often redundant. |
| move, or rename files. Making this process virtual | | | | Operating system virtualization follows the same |
| occurs by having users access a pointer to | | | | idea as remote application hosting. Instead of |
| necessary files. This results in the same | | | | providing a suite of software, the operating |
| functionality as before, but offers the ability to | | | | system itself is made available to an end user. |
| manage the files on a drive, move them, perform | | | | Each operating system is a self-contained version |
| maintenance on the drive, or migrate to a new | | | | of common OS's. |
| system and only have to update a global pointer. | | | | Ultimately, full virtualization services can radically |
| These changes can occur behind the scene | | | | transform data centers. Be removing hardware |
| without the need for each user to update their | | | | requirements and the associated capital |
| drive mappings. | | | | investment and lead time, entire systems can be |
| Flexible Virtual Networks | | | | dynamically scaled to meet specific needs. IT |
| Wiring data center networks that are capable of | | | | implementations can be leveraged for efficient |
| handling new users easily while being reliable can | | | | operation without wasting resources. Overall, data |
| be achieved through network virtualization. Each | | | | center virtualization solutions make cost efficient, |
| network can be separated into individual smaller | | | | cutting edge technology more readily available to |
| networks, enabling a single Ethernet port to handle | | | | businesses of all sizes in any industry. |