What is virtualisation, and how does it save time and money?
Between electricity, floor space, management overhead and the need to stay flexible, virtualisation is worth serious consideration. It is not only for big business, small and medium enterprises benefit just as much.
If you have more than three servers, virtualisation will save you time, money and management effort while giving you room to grow and change.
How it works
Server computers
Servers host the files and applications your network runs on, so they need to be powerful. Administrators usually dedicate each server to a specific application or task, because many tasks do not play well together and one application per server makes problems easier to track down.
The catch is that most servers use only a small fraction of their processing capacity. As the network grows, the server room fills with machines drawing power, generating heat and demanding more cooling, which all costs money to run.
Server virtualisation
Server virtualisation addresses both problems at once. Using purpose-built software, one physical server is converted into multiple virtual machines, each behaving like a unique physical device running its own operating system.
It has only been feasible and cost effective for a few years, which is why it has become such a talking point in IT. It cuts running costs and saves space.
Virtual hardware
Until recently the only way to create a virtual server was software that tricked a CPU into providing processing power for multiple virtual machines.
Today Intel and AMD build that capability into their processors. The hardware does not create the virtual servers on its own, engineers still need the right software to enable them.
What are the advantages?
The largest cost is the initial hardware purchase, but broken down to a per-server figure it is far more cost effective over time.
Move resources on demand
Say server one has 32GB of memory it does not need and server two is struggling on 4GB. A few configuration changes reallocate the resources between them. No screwdriver, no technician on site, no downtime.
Portability when it matters
A virtual server is essentially one large file, so it moves between hardware devices easily. If hardware fails and your data is safe, it can be mounted onto a new device and the business brought back up quickly.
Desktop virtualisation
Virtualisation is not just for servers. Desktops can be virtualised too, and Sterling IT has solutions to suit whatever number of machines your business runs, including smaller fleets.
It suits environments where each machine does not need heavy local resources, such as classrooms and training rooms, rather than CAD or 3D design work.
Save money, save time, improve performance.
Contact one of our friendly consultants to discuss how virtualisation could work in your environment.
