| Server virtualization is the means by which a network | | | | spare capacity in the existing server farm. This leads |
| administrator is able to "hide" the actual physical | | | | to reductions in the capital and operating cost of |
| servers and network hardware (known as "masking") | | | | implementing new solutions, in many cases, this leads |
| from the network users. The network users no | | | | to enhancing proposed solutions and projects which |
| longer see a particular server or drive on the | | | | otherwise would not be viable even in their basic |
| network, instead they see a "virtual" environment | | | | proposed form. |
| which contains their applications and files. | | | | You are also able to simplify and reduce the costs of |
| The network administrator achieves this masking by | | | | associated with your disaster recovery strategy. |
| using software which divides a physical server into | | | | Replicating VPS off-site is simple and cheap to do, |
| multiple "virtual" environments which are also isolated | | | | and again you need not replicate your server farm or |
| from each other. These private environments are | | | | have stand-by servers which represent a huge saving |
| also known as Virtual Private Servers (VPS), but they | | | | in terms of cost. |
| are also known by a number of other names too - | | | | Network support and helpdesk costs are also |
| guests, containers, emulations and instances. | | | | significantly reduced as virtual desktops do not need |
| Why should a business consider using server | | | | an engineer to physically visit the user. The support |
| virtualization? | | | | staff are also able to access all of the applications |
| Server virtualization itself is part of an information | | | | and the operating system being used by employees |
| technology development concerning servers and data | | | | on their laptops and desks from a central location. |
| storage. By using server virtualization your network | | | | This also leads to a huge reduction in operating costs |
| will be able to respond to the demand placed upon | | | | associated with support but in addition, less hardware |
| by users rather than an always-on state. In plain | | | | also means there is less to go wrong so clients |
| English, you don't need so many servers in your | | | | experience reduced costs, greater uptime and |
| network because the virtual servers are only created | | | | greater efficiencies leading to a higher Return on |
| when users need them; when one user has finished, | | | | Investment (ROI). |
| their VPS environment effectively disappears. Using | | | | Implementation and migration to a virtual server |
| server virtualization, you can increase the efficiency | | | | environment can be performed with minimal |
| of your network from around 20% to up to 80%. | | | | interruption to network users and operations. User |
| Fewer servers and the associated hardware (racking, | | | | adoption is also not relevant because users do not |
| hosting, power, routers, cabling etc) means reduced | | | | see any difference in their desktops nor with the |
| capital and operating cost and this is likely to be a | | | | service they are experiencing. The changeover is |
| highly significant reduction. | | | | seamless, so there are no issues regarding user |
| Server virtualization also prevents what is known as | | | | education or barriers to adopting new technology and |
| "server sprawl", which is where new servers are | | | | techniques. |
| added to host new applications when there is already | | | | |