| There are a number of Virtualization technologies | | | | servers; Dell has "DRAC" and HP has iLo that will |
| on the market. The two most interesting from a | | | | do this on the hardware, but at an additional cost. |
| business perspective are desktop virtualization and | | | | Also, VM's with boot problems can be repaired by |
| Server virtualization. Desktop virtualization is | | | | attaching their virtual file systems to other virtual |
| where a server keeps the applications but they | | | | servers. This is not easily done with iLo or DRAC, |
| appear on the local users desktop. This is what | | | | especially not remotely. |
| Citrix Metaphrame (now renamed to Xen App) | | | | Virtual Machines sound good so far, but |
| does. The other virtualization technology important | | | | experienced System Administrators will be |
| to Business is Server Virtualization. | | | | skeptical about putting all of there servers onto |
| The virtualization technology discussed here is | | | | one machine and with good reason. "Don't put all |
| "Server Virtualization". In this type of virtualization | | | | your eggs in one basket" is a motto to live by in |
| the servers physical hardware appears to work | | | | the IT world. Virtualization technology is mature |
| as many servers. These many servers are called | | | | enough to handle this issue. |
| virtual machines or VM's; this appearance is done | | | | A good virtual server design includes fail over. If |
| through virtualization software, referred to as the | | | | one server is needed two are implemented. If |
| "hypervisor". Stated another way. The hypervisor | | | | one should fail, the virtual servers are started on |
| is software that runs on the hardware and it | | | | the alternate machine. Thus, ones systems are |
| controls the VM's. It makes each VM think it is a | | | | safe in case of a hardware failure. This type of |
| fully functioning computer with full control of the | | | | design is far superior to the current scenario in |
| hardware, when in fact, it is just one of several | | | | many small and medium sized IT shops where if |
| sharing the hardware. | | | | a server fails, that service is down until repairs or |
| The operating system on each virtual machine, | | | | replacements occur. |
| usually Windows Server or Linux, sees itself as | | | | Virtualization brings disaster recovery within reach |
| fully controlling the hardware. The hypervisor lets | | | | of many small shops too! Similarly to the fail over |
| the VM's share the hardware. In most cases | | | | scenario above, the virtual servers can be |
| many VM's can run on the hardware without | | | | continuously copied to a backup site and when the |
| taxing its processing capabilities. Thus we eliminate | | | | main site fails the backup site can come up |
| the need for buying new hardware when we | | | | automatically. |
| need more servers. We just create move VM's | | | | How does this IT "stuff" relate to business? The |
| on our existing hardware. This saves energy, | | | | answers are in system reliability and productivity. |
| money and management time. These aren't the | | | | This technology increases reliability thus staff is |
| only benefits. | | | | less likely to be sitting idle because they can't |
| VM's can be easily saved as templates. If a | | | | access their data. Reliability has a direct impact on |
| disaster strikes the virtual machine (VM), for | | | | productivity. Additionally, when designed properly |
| instance, rather than taking the server offline, it's | | | | these technologies can minimize the risk of lost |
| easy to power up a copy of the virtual machine | | | | data or services during a disaster; this loss can be |
| from the template and the service is restored. | | | | disastrous! Also, when systems are up and |
| The damaged VM can then be debugged, repaired | | | | working properly it makes the organization appear |
| or deleted. | | | | more professional and reliable as compared to |
| Virtualized servers allow the Administrator to shut | | | | those companies where the staff complain that |
| down and restart a server remotely and see | | | | their computers are slow or down. |
| what's happening during boot up. If there is a boot | | | | Given the current state of the art of virtualization |
| problem with a server the administrator can | | | | technology and its benefits all companies who |
| diagnose and repair it remotely. This is generally | | | | depend on their IT infrastructure should seriously |
| not possible without additional hardware on most | | | | consider implementing virtualization. |