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Business benefits of virtualisation |
What is virtualisation?
Enterprise servers are often operating significantly below their physical capacity. The operating speeds of current processor designs are such that they out perform the demands of operating systems and applications.
Virtualisation makes it possible to run multiple operating systems and applications on one server at the same time, thereby increasing the utilisation and flexibility of hardware. Capacity not actively being used by one virtual server is available for use by another, greatly reducing wasted CPU usage and excessive power consumption.
A correctly configured virtual environment
Storage (NAS/SAN) A key component is to have all virtual disks stored on a central storage unit. This frees the virtual host servers to act only as CPU power and RAM providers. Easy to replace, this ensures business continuity, even if a host breaks down.
Network When configuring a virtual ecosystem, it is essential to isolate the virtual disk read/write from the rest of your network. The virtual host servers must communicate directly and unrestricted with the storage unit. This is achieved by switching your network correctly. | | Host servers They are the providers of CPU power and RAM that carry the weight of the business servers. If one goes down, another picks up the slack until the faulty unit is replaced, allowing your business systems to run uninterrupted.
DR site Live virtual servers can often not be copied because of operating system access restrictions. Thus, the storage unit should supply you with a block level backup solution. This offers quick, on-site recovery and the starting point for copies to your disaster recovery site. |
Business benefits of virtualisation
Think green: Optimum CPU usage and power consumption are crucial in the expenditure of both hardware and electricity.
Server consolidation: Virtual machines are used to consolidate many physical servers into a more manageable number of servers.
Affordability: Virtualisation is no longer only for large corporations with mainframes. A few basic servers active in a cloud can already have significant results.
Availability/Disaster Recovery (DR): In the event of server failure, other nodes in the cloud will automatically pick up and balance the load. Virtualisation can also notably reduce the cost of a backup site.
Provisioning and scalability: Increasing your cloud's capacity is as simple as plugging in another node and switching it on. Existing hardware used in a cloud can often satisfy the demand.
Legacy support: Applications with operating system dependencies are becoming increasingly difficult to support as new hardware platforms shed support for older operating system. Virtualisation technology enables the continued use of these applications.
Development and testing: Server virtualisation technologies enable the rapid creation of "sandboxes" for development environments and test purposes.
 How to evaluate virtualisation options:
- Avoid vendor lock-in. If a vendor can’t support different server clients and OS technologies, it will become a pitfall sooner or later.
- Beware of hidden licensing issues and clauses.
- Evaluate a vendor's previous implementation cycles – anything longer than three months is too long.
- Flexibility is key. The technology should be scalable without the need for reinstallation or additional development.
- The solution offered should suit your business, and not the other way around. If necessary, insist on a proof of concept.
- Consult a trusted third party specialists to guide you in selecting the most appropriate solution and to assist with the implementation of the technology. A consulting specialist will also be able to help you distinguish fact from marketing speak.
Starship Systems service offering:
- Consulting on virtualisation and governance (King III subsection)
- All hardware and software are available from Starship Systems
- Software configuration on specified, previously procured hardware (HP, Dell, IBM)
- Appliance expansion by utilising the NEBULA Business Server store
- Support
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