Virtualization is the most promising solution to the rising costs of technology, hardware, and infrastructure. But if you aren’t sure exactly what virtualization is, you aren’t alone. There are as many definitions of “virtualization” as there are technology sites on the Internet. In this blog post, we demystify server virtualization and tell you exactly why you need it.
What is virtualization?
Simply put, virtualization is the removal of a process from its physical operating environment. While it is possible to virtualize one or many components of an infrastructure – e.g. Application, Storage, or Network Virtualization – this post focuses on the benefits of Server Virtualization.
How does virtualization work?
Server virtualization is made up of two parts:
Consolidation: When virtualized, one physical server can run multiple virtual machines (VMs), which are also servers. For example, virtualization could turn a single physical server into 10 independent, virtual servers that all reside on the same physical box.
Segregation: Virtualization isolates each virtual server from all the others, even though they are consolidated on the same physical server. That means that if one server fails, it won’t impact the rest of your company’s operations. Segregation also makes maintaining and protecting a virtual environment easier.
Why should you virtualize your environment?
Despite how inexpensive hardware and technology have become, companies require increasingly more of it to support business operations. The best way to stem these escalating costs is through virtualization, which offers these important benefits:
- Short-term cost reductions: fewer, less expensive hardware purchases
- Long-term cost reductions: power and cooling expenses
- Reclaim physical space
- Optimize infrastructure alignment
- Quickly scale the virtual environment to align with business requirements
- Create isolated development, testing, and production environments without tripling hardware costs
- Stabilize business operations to improve production
What’s the bottom line?
Virtualization helps reduce short and long-term expenses, and at the same time improves production and business operations. In other words, virtualization both saves money and makes money, which makes it a smart option for any business.
For a practical example of the benefits of a virtualized environment, check out INDA’s Infrastructure Virtualization Success Story.
To learn more about the impact of virtualization, download our white paper:
About the Author
Jake Kent
Jake Kent is an Entrepreneur and Business Owner who specializes in Information Technology. Jake has founded eight companies in the IT Consulting and Delivery, Investment Real Estate, and Community Banking industries. Jake brings vision, leadership and a strong work ethic to the CEO role. He leads by example, possessing remarkable skills, experience and expertise across business strategy, operations, financial management and sales and marketing.Read More…
