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