Alliance Technologies

Before we get into the benefits, let’s define server virtualization. Server virtualization allows a company to operate several virtual servers on one physical server, using virtualization software like VMware. This means that although your company might only own one or two physical servers, it can easily be running twice or three times as many virtual servers.

Is this an option for your company? Even if your business is small, the answer may be yes. The benefits of virtualization are many, but here are a few of the most important:

Isolation

Server virtualization allows the isolation of systems that don’t interact well with others and can’t be installed on the same physical server. It’s not uncommon for different types of software to conflict with each other, so virtualization allows those software packages to be isolated from one another.

With virtualization, multiple virtual servers can be created on one physical server, so there are no conflicting software issues. It would be expensive to purchase two physical servers to solve the problem, but running two virtual servers on the same machine is a viable option. Virtualization keeps the systems isolated from each other and prevents conflicts, even though they are running on the same physical server. As an added benefit, network security is also increased by isolating multiple systems on different virtual servers.

Reduced Hardware Costs

Virtualization can also save on hardware costs, since multiple physical servers are not needed when multiple virtual servers will perform the same tasks. Money is also saved by ensuring that a company is getting the most of out their hardware. There’s no reason to buy ten physical servers and operate them all at half capacity, when five physical servers running ten virtual servers will perform the same task for half the hardware cost.

Crash Recovery

Virtualization can also help maintain uptime in the event of a crash. Depending on the options, VMware virtualization software with VMotion can move a virtual server from one physical server to another server, with little to no interruption in user experience. If one physical server encounters hardware issues, VMotion can simply move the virtual server to another physical machine, allowing the server to stay active while the ailing physical server is being repaired. Because of the way the data is stored, it is also sometimes faster to bring a virtual server back up from a crash than a physical one.

The benefits to virtualization are numerous, and aside from a little more complexity in the implementation, they greatly outweigh the drawbacks. VMware is just one solution, and the one we like best here at Alliance Technologies, but it’s not the only server virtualization option. No matter what you software you choose, server virtualization is the future of computing. It’s virtually impossible to think otherwise.