| The term "virtualization" is easy to dismiss as yet | | | | means less time spent on physical maintenance. |
| another in a long string of high-tech buzzwords. | | | | Similarly, a new virtual machine can be set up quickly |
| However, implementing virtualization in your small | | | | and easily, while the deployment of a new physical |
| business can result in real-world savings, increased | | | | server can be a lengthy and frustrating experience. |
| efficiency, and the ability to concentrate on what | | | | When virtualization is used to pool many devices into |
| really matters- running your business. Once the | | | | a single virtual storage device, backups and recovery |
| domain of big companies with deep capital, the | | | | can be much quicker and easier. |
| combination of inexpensive or free virtualization | | | | How Much Will it Cost? Virtualization can cost as |
| packages and the accessibility of powerful computing | | | | much - or as little - as you like. There are a plethora |
| resources available today make virtualization a useful | | | | of free and open source virtualization implementations |
| (and increasingly common) tool for small businesses. | | | | available to choose from, and a technically savvy |
| What Is Virtualization? While virtual machines can be | | | | user could deploy a virtualization environment with |
| created on desktop computers, the most common | | | | ease. Those who are a little less confident in their |
| implementation is known as "server virtualization". | | | | abilities will find all manner of paid software available |
| Most applications - even on busy servers - are rarely | | | | that include help and support services. Some |
| used to their full capacity and potential. Virtualization | | | | businesses even specialize in coming to your office |
| is, at its most basic level, the process of splitting or | | | | and implementing the technology for you. |
| partitioning a computer into different, distinct virtual | | | | Final Thoughts Virtualization is, like any investment in |
| computers. The computer is physically a single | | | | IT, an important decision to make. The benefits of |
| machine, but the virtual computers can interact with | | | | Virtualization can vary depending on the complexity |
| devices, users, software or networks as if it were a | | | | of infrastructure of your business. Similarly to other |
| separate machine. | | | | IT investments, virtualization comes with its own set |
| Virtualization can also work the other way as well. If | | | | of challenges. However, a quick review of your |
| you have a number of computers or servers, | | | | current set-up is time well spent. |
| virtualization software can combine these individual | | | | Consider how your current physical resources are |
| machines into one single virtual computer. | | | | being utilized - do you have a number of different |
| How Can My Small Business Benefit from | | | | servers doing different tasks, but also spending |
| Virtualization? First and foremost, the less time or | | | | significant time sitting idle? If so, virtualization may be |
| money you spend on managing individual machines, | | | | an option worth pursuing. |
| the more resources you can apply to your number | | | | A quick web search will reveal a large number of |
| one priority: managing the business. However, the | | | | virtualization packages, but the following list of free |
| benefits can be roughly grouped into a number of | | | | platforms can get your research started on the right |
| broad, overlapping categories: | | | | foot: |
| 1. It can be cheaper. The arithmetic is simple- if you | | | | - Oracle VM - Oracle's virtualization offering can run a |
| have several virtual machines on one physical | | | | number of Windows- and Linux-based server |
| machine; you have already saved the expense of | | | | operating systems. âÂEUR¢ |
| purchasing multiple servers. But the savings go | | | | Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 - Microsoft's most recent |
| further, as you can minimize the space devoted to | | | | offering runs on XP and Vista and allows for a basic |
| your server room, recovering valuable office space | | | | but robust virtualization environment. |
| and avoiding future renovations or retrofits. Similarly, | | | | - VirtualBox 3.0 - Sun Microsystems latest runs on an |
| having fewer physical machines to administer can | | | | impressive range of operating systems and hardware |
| result in decreased costs on software or hardware | | | | architectures, placing it amongst the most versatile of |
| upgrades, and fewer hours spent on IT consultants. | | | | free packages. |
| 1) It can help you go green. Savings on electricity | | | | - Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 - This is a powerful |
| costs would obviously fit into the above category, | | | | platform that runs directly on the underlying |
| but there is a real environmental benefit to using | | | | hardware (unlike some other options which require a |
| fewer machines as well. Even today's efficient | | | | "host" operating system). It does, however, require |
| servers draw plenty of power, and reducing the | | | | specific hardware, so ensure your equipment meets |
| number of machines you require results in a smaller | | | | the specifications. |
| electrical bill. Servers also generate plenty of heat, | | | | - VMware ESXi 4.0 - A bare bones - but fully |
| and the air conditioning costs to cool your server | | | | functional - virtualization platform that uses the same |
| room grow exponentially with the addition of each | | | | technology as its larger commercial cousin, VMware's |
| new server. | | | | ESX Server. |
| 2) It can save you time. Fewer physical machines | | | | |