Virtualization has opened a world of
opportunity for businesses seeking a more flexible business computing system,
rather than a disparate and occasionally wasteful collection of computing
components. For this week’s tip, we’ll walk through the process of adopting
virtualization and what that will entail for your business.
What
Does Virtualization Even Mean?
To understand how virtualization can help a
business, it would help to truly understand what this process is and what its
purpose is.
In a traditional server architecture, one
operating system would be installed on each server, and as such, the software
on that machine would be pretty closely linked to the hardware itself.
Alternatively, when virtualization is deployed, the operating system (or
storage solution, application, etc.) is instead abstracted away from the server
and relies on an emulated copy hosted in a layer of software, called the
hypervisor.
What’s
So Great About That?
Well, before virtualization came about, the
direct relationship between a system’s hardware and software was problematic in
certain situations. For instance, configuring software was a challenge, as was
trying to move software to a different hardware solution (like one would have
to do when restoring data from a backup). Virtualization made it practicable to
scale a solution based on current need, with little noticeable effect on the
performance of the solution.
What
Kinds of Virtualization Are There?
Network Virtualization - This variety of virtualization simplifies a network by “breaking” it up into smaller, more easily-managed pieces (called “channels”) and assigning these channels and their resources where they are needed at that point in time.
Server
Virtualization - As discussed above, this kind of
virtualization is used to make a server more useable, as well as generally
simpler for a user to understand. As a whole, this offers an improved resource
for the user, with the ability to increase the server’s capacity in the future.
Desktop
Virtualization - Desktop virtualization is effectively
the ability to create a simulated desktop that is hosted in a server, rather
than acquiring the device necessary to host an entirely new desktop
environment. This makes this new “workstation” accessible, securely, in a much
more portable manner.
Storage
Virtualization - Storage area networks have storage
virtualization to thank for their existence, as this kind of virtualization is
commonly found within them. This variety pools the storage capabilities from
multiple physical solutions into a unified, managed, “single” virtualized
space.
Data
Virtualization - By abstracting things like location,
format, and performance from a data set, this data set is able to be assigned
broader access.
Application
Virtualization -
By removing an application from the operating system through abstraction,
the use of the application is no longer dependent on its compatibility with the
operating system of the device in question.
If you’re interested in exploring how your company can leverage virtualization further, reach out to the pros at Emerge by calling 859-746-1030