Is Virtualization Right For Your Small Business?

It's nearly impossible to conduct business todayoptimize space, one server could maintain any
without embracing some form of technology. And asnumber of virtual servers from different organizations
the world grows increasingly dependent on digitalor departments, which raises many questions with
solutions, the need for integrating even morerespect to information security.
IT-based initiatives into small business will arise. TheAdditionally, with any increased reliance on new
latest important technology for small businesses istechnology comes the potential for more
virtualization.maintenance and upgrades. However, in a
What is Virtualization?pay-as-you-go model in which you subscribe for
According to the most universally-accepted definition,server space, these additional costs should be the
virtualization is the ability of a single machine to runresponsibility of the provider.
multiple operating systems at the same time byWith or Without
utilizing compartments called virtual machines.Let's say, as a small business, in addition to hosting
Originally, software engineers used virtualization toand maintaining your own web site, you also operate
test products on various operating systems. Now,a small business network or company intranet.
virtualization is also used for networking, dataBecause the software for the intranet and website
storage, and software development.were incompatible, your organization purchased a
Of the handful of virtualization technologies availablenumber of expensive servers. Now, while these
to small business, server virtualization is the mostservers provide the capacity you need, they are
important. Server virtualization is the practice ofvastly under-utilized. Even if they operate at near-full
running multiple servers on a single machine. Thesecapacity during peak-hours, during off-peak hours,
consolidated "virtual" servers may serve a smallthose power-hungry servers are sitting idle running up
business network or a number of independentyour energy bill. At this point, you're needlessly
organizations; either way, there are numerouswasting energy and certainly not getting your
benefits to utilizing servers at their full capacity.money's worth. Later, you find yourself putting more
Advantagesmoney into the servers for unscheduled maintenance
Cost reduction is the greatest benefit of virtualizationand updates.
for small businesses. Because virtualization uses fewerNow, let's say, instead of purchasing multiple servers,
servers, firms that optimize typically enjoy reducedyou've opted to virtualize. This means you need one
downtime, maintenance, and energy costs.server. You pay more upfront for the virtualization
Virtualization also allows the use of multiple operatingtechnology, but immediately experience a reduction in
systems, granting increased flexibility. By virtualizingenergy costs and maintenance. Over time, your initial
servers you can prevent changes in one applicationinvestment will itself back, especially since as energy
from impacting other applications. Finally, virtualizedcosts rise, your firm saves money.
servers are considered "green" technology becauseIn addition to being environmentally-friendly,
of their lower carbon dioxide emissions thantechnologies like virtualization are enabling small
traditional server farms.businesses to succeed. By reducing operating costs
Disadvantagesand providing a platform for commerce, virtualization
The high initial cost of server virtualization is anis a key component in the future of business, big and
immediate deterrent for many small businesses. Newsmall alike.
security concerns can also be challenging. In order to