Why Virtualization? Because It Makes Business Sense

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• November 2008 Issue
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From the Nov. 2008 Issue

Virtual machine technologies enable one physical workstation or server to run multiple operating systems and related applications at the same time. Think of a virtual machine as a software machine running within a physical hardware machine. A virtual machine uses virtualization software and selected hardware devices to create an emulated operating environment. This all sounds pretty geeky, so is it worth considering or worth the effort? Software publishers have made the choice less expensive and more reliable in 2008.

[Be sure to also check out "Implementing Virtualization"]

For servers, EMC’s VMware reduced the single-server version price from $495 to free. We’re sure they are trying to sell the more expensive versions of the product, but many of you won’t need this. Hyper-V is included in three versions of the new Windows Server 2008, and the incremental cost is small. For desktops, VMware’s Workstation authoring tool is $189. Microsoft’s Virtual PC 2007 is a free download. Both of these tools allow us to create a virtual desktop that runs and acts like a regular personal computer. Logically, you could consider that there are five types of things you can virtualize. You may choose to do one, two or all five.

USE VIRTUALIZATION:

On desktops to overcome incompatibilities between an OS and legacy applications or hardware, such as those experienced with Windows Vista. For example, most publishers have concluded that they will not update older software to run under Vista. Older versions of tax software or QuickBooks can be placed in a desktop virtual machine, allowing us to process older years when a client comes to us and hasn’t filed a tax return in five years.
On servers to reduce the number of physical servers to improve utilization, performance and reliability while reducing IT costs. For example, Exchange and Microsoft SQL servers can run on a single physical server. Since most publishers want dedicated servers for their applications, we can isolate that server as a virtual machine.

To replace or augment terminal servers implementing Virtual Desktop Interface technology, allowing desktop images to run on centralized servers or on desktops and laptops while reducing desktop maintenance and improving remote access. Xen and VMware have this feature available today. Microsoft will have this capability next year. If you’d like to have a laptop or desktop image that is stored on the server, this can be completely duplicated to your laptop and used offline while traveling. When you return to the office, your changes are automatically duplicated back to the server image. You get all of the advantages of terminal services control, plus the advantage of local speed.

For storage to consolidate server disks for better performance, easier backup, and greater reliability through Storage Area Networks (SANs) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. Instead of having multiple servers backed up through a very complex back routine, a SAN or NAS provides one place for all data, which can be backed up easily. New generation appliances back up these files as they are changed, virtually eliminating the possibility of lost work or lost data.

To package applications with an OS and all utilities to make them easier to install, deploy and update. Instead of needing to install an application, picture that a single file can be copied to your system that is preconfigured, ready to run, and will not be affected by any other updates. Further, these applications run faster because there is less system overhead.