| By utilizing server virtualization, a company's computer | | | | Additionally, having fewer servers means there are |
| system can run more efficiently, which generates | | | | less of them to maintain. This can produce a cost |
| cost savings for the company. Traditionally, one of | | | | savings if the number of IT staff can be reduced. |
| these servers has run one operating system only. | | | | Even if the number of people on staff remains the |
| With virtualization, a single server can be essentially | | | | same, their time can be spent on more productive |
| "split" into two or more. After the split, each of them | | | | tasks, rather than having to spend a lot of time on |
| can run it's own operating system. The operating | | | | maintenance. |
| systems do not even have to be the same -- one | | | | Virtualizing a server can provide for more system |
| partition of the virtual server can run Windows XP, | | | | flexibility. As stated above, splitting a one can allow a |
| the other Linux. | | | | company to utilize two operating systems without |
| Server virtualization (also called Virtual Dedicated | | | | having to purchase additional company resources. |
| Server, or VDS) provides many benefits for the | | | | Upgrades and changing an application on one server is |
| company. The first is simply cutting down the number | | | | less risky if the server is split. If an upgrade to one |
| of servers required for business operations. It has | | | | part of a split server is unsuccessful, the other part |
| been estimated that a company's server generally | | | | of the system will continue to work as normal. This |
| runs at 25% of its capacity. Rather than purchasing | | | | can minimize data loss and/or time spent recovering |
| additional servers, many company servers have the | | | | or re-entering data that has been lost. Additionally, |
| capacity to be split. Having fewer servers produces | | | | this can minimize the impact of a failure upgrade on |
| benefits beyond just reducing the money the | | | | the rest of the staff in a business. In case of |
| company is spending on servers. Having fewer | | | | problems with one side of the server, they can |
| physical servers means that the space that would | | | | simply use the other part of the server partition. |
| have been used for servers can now be allocated to | | | | The use of this type of technology is becoming |
| another (potentially more productive) use. With | | | | increasingly popular due to the time and money it can |
| fewer servers producing heat, the company can cut | | | | save. |
| down on costs to air condition the server room. | | | | |