1. Virtualization Benefits?

Server Consolidation

Most servers are only utilizing 5 to 15% of their CPU capacity and in most cases only run one application. Using virtualization software, physical servers can be replaced by virtual servers.

Business Continuity

Within a “virtualized” data center, virtual servers can be configured to automatically move from one physical server to a different server in the event of a physical server failure. Before virtualization, the failed physical server would have to be repaired before the server was brought back online; taking hours and in some cases days to come back on-line. With virtualization software, the restore process takes minutes.

Capacity Management

Virtualized data centers can be configured with policies to automatically move virtual servers from one physical server to a different physical server when a capacity threshold is reached (such as CPU or network utilization).

Test and Development

In traditional software test and development groups, engineers take hours to create development and test servers from scratch, loading several OS versions and applications on different physical servers. With server virtualization, test and development servers and applications can be cloned and created in minutes. Several different OS and application revisions can be tested using several virtual servers residing on the same physical server. The resulting benefits include: reducing the number of servers needed and maximizing testing time.

Disaster Recovery

The most stressful and worrisome task for IT Operations Managers is implementing a disaster recovery plan. Using traditional methods, disaster recovery is costly, and at best partially effective. Using virtualization’s live recovery option the data is never lost and the virtual servers will be automatically started on another physical server. With the ability to clone any virtual server, the server can easily be stored offsite; and in the case of a site disaster, the data center can be re-created.

Environmentally Friendly

If you care about global warming, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and being energy conscious, then virtualization is a key technology. Most server virtualization projects reduce space, power and heating/AC costs by over 50%.