4 More Reasons To Implement Server Virtualization

In a previous article we took a look at server virtualization and explained that it is a specialized type of software that runs on a host server computer thus enabling the system to partition and host multiple operating systems. The previous benefits discussed were:

• Cost savings
• Energy savings
• Space savings
• Higher System Availability
• Ability to leverage unused computing capacity and space

This article will touch upon an additional four benefits of server virtualization, specifically:

• Easy testing platform
• Multiple OS's on same box
• Hardware independence. Each instance uses its own.dlls
• Portability

When companies are planning to roll out a new operating system, security patch, new application, or an application patch to an already-existing system, it needs to be fully tested before going live. Virtualization makes this quite easy to do. Instead of having to allocate several different physical servers to do the aforementioned tasks, you can simply configure multiple virtual servers. When satisfied with your testing you can simple delete the virtual server and have the space ready for the next project.

Although it is possible to run multiple operating systems on one physical server, they can't be running simultaneously. Virtualization makes this possible. In fact, you can run multiple operating systems from different vendors such as Linux, Windows, and Mac OS all on the same physical server. You can imagine the cost savings by using this technology.

When configuring multiple physical servers you need to take the different hardware configurations into account. Simply put, each operating system has its own specifications as to which hardware it can work with and run on. This is basically a non-issue with server virtualization. The host server takes care of all the hardware issues. Just create a new virtual machine and install the operating system. Moreover, each operating system uses its own linking libraries (code and data that multiple programs use) so they are not in competition with each other. This also removes potential security issues.

Finally, virtual applications can be thought of as portable. A virtual server is basically seen as a gigantic data file by a host operating system. It can be copied across the network like any other file. This can be most beneficial in disaster scenarios. When you have a recent backup copy of a virtual machine, all you need do to bring it back online is restore, or copy, the file to another virtual host server. Start it up and you are basically good-to-go. Additionally, you can have a hot-standby virtual machine that is running in parallel with another virtual machine. When this virtual standby computer does not detect a heartbeat from the other, it places itself online and thus downtime is virtually non-existent.

This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list of all the benefits of server virtualization; however, you can see from reading this article and the previous one that this technology is definitely cost-saving and incredibly beneficial to organizations of all sizes. Why not take a closer look at virtualization for your company?

By: Eric Andersson

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Eric Alan Anderson is a Systems & Support Administrator for a mid-sized BioPharma Company. He has over ten years in the Information Technology field. He is involved with many sites and his latest takes a look at trojan removal software and USB virus removal.