| Server virtualization may sound complex, but it is | | | | virtualization software. There are many software |
| actually a very simple idea. Today it is considered a | | | | options on the market, but those especially geared |
| mainstream technology and is a popular solution for | | | | for small-to-medium businesses include: |
| data center management for all types and sizes of | | | | VMWare- |
| companies. Basically, server virtualization allows you to | | | | VMWare has been the champion of software |
| run multiple "guest" operating systems-which can all | | | | virtualization. Founded in 1998, VMWare brought |
| be the same or all different-on a "host" operating | | | | virtualization to the mainstream X86 computing |
| system on a single physical server. The operating | | | | platform. VMWare offers several products specifically |
| systems are partitioned so that each application | | | | for small-to-medium businesses at a range of price |
| resides on its own "virtual server" or "virtual machine" | | | | points with a wide variety of features and benefits |
| on the hardware platform. | | | | for a host of server environments. |
| There are a multitude of opportunities and benefits | | | | Windows Virtual Server- |
| associated with server virtualization for small business. | | | | Windows Virtual Server is for those who have a |
| The overall benefit is to ultimately lower the total | | | | Microsoft-only environment, either Windows XP or |
| cost of ownership, which is accomplished through | | | | Windows Server 2003 operating systems. Microsoft |
| other benefits, including the ability to: | | | | provides two versions of its Windows Virtual Server |
| - Eliminate server sprawl; regain physical space in the | | | | 2005: Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition. Standard |
| data center | | | | Edition supports host servers with up to 4 |
| - Reduce in hardware maintenance costs because of | | | | processors; Enterprise Edition supports host servers |
| the decreased number of physical servers | | | | that have as many as 32 processors. The enterprise |
| - Seamlessly scale and manage the infrastructure | | | | edition is available as a free download. |
| based on varying demands | | | | XenSource- |
| - Increased efficiency - while maintaining a seamless, | | | | XenSource has been on the market for about three |
| high-quality user experience | | | | years. Based on Xen, an open source project |
| - Improve performance and resource utilization | | | | sponsored by Linux distributors, it is a practical |
| - Speed up provisioning of new services | | | | solution for those who prefer open source solutions. |
| - Rapidly develop and deploy applications while | | | | XenSource is also the more cost-effective alternative |
| avoiding downtime due to outages or maintenance | | | | to VMWare, although it does not yet have the |
| windows | | | | proven track record. |
| Server virtualization is achieved by deploying | | | | |