The Benefits of Virtualization
At the simplest level, virtualization is a way to organize computing capacity. It addresses situations such as servers that run at a small fraction of their capacity, wasting power and resources. It helps handle the issue of physical desktop PCs and the resources that they consume in repairing and maintaining them, as well as the issues that arise when they fail or become infected by viruses. For users who travel, there are benefits as well since they are no longer chained to their desktop hardware.
Virtualization Done Right
Setting up a virtualized environment may be possible with existing IT-hardware. A compatible server can run the software, and desktop PCs can be used as terminals. Over time, specialized systems, storage, and networking will make greater capacity, speed, and reliability possible. Since computing changes over time, areas to watch are storage bottlenecks, network congestion, and keeping software properly licensed.
The three key areas to watch at first are: allocating disk space so that operating system and virtualized image files are not affected by other data-intensive operations, keeping plenty of memory available, and using multiprocessor systems for effective resource sharing and process migration. A good second step after setting up a virtualized environment is providing an identical machine which can share the load and provide backup resources. Most software provides many features to support higher reliability operations.
Managing a Virtualized System
It can take some serious training to be able to manage this new computing style. Management software, which is now available, is a great way to keep an eye on servers, provision for new users, and signal potential problems. This keeps system managers in small and medium businesses from having to learn the layers and intricacies that the virtualized world contains, and allows them to focus on making its benefits available to users and on production servers.
Looking to The Future
Virtual PCs are being used for specific purposes, even on mobile devices and tablets. Call centers can use thousands of them for their phone personnel, and road warriors can connect to their virtualized system from remote locations around the world. Newer system features include blending resources to include some cloud (3rd party utility) capacity, and using these strategies in-house to provide more versatile environments as technology changes so quickly.
With greater flexibility, companies aren’t forced into major lease/purchase decisions, strategy meetings that are based on technology fast becoming obsolete, and other major technology frustrations. Best of all, virtual environments are designed to be compatible with existing hardware and software, meaning companies aren’t forced to find a replacement for legacy software and systems. The new technology, this time, is not only convenient but also cost effective for almost any business.
