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 Every so often, a new technology comes along that addresses multiple problems, rather than a single one. Web browsers, for instance, offered a graphical interface to information, but they also simplified remote access and application development. Virtualization, too, has benefits for a variety of technology challenges.
On its face, virtualization is about doing more with less. It allows a fewer number of servers to do the job of many. Instead allocating multiple servers for multiple applications (such as file and print services, email, and Web applications), virtualization lets businesses partition system resources by creating multiple “virtual” servers on a single physical server. Each virtual server acts independently, so even if one fails, it doesn’t affect the others. Because it reduces the number of physical servers businesses need, virtualization reduces energy, hardware costs, administration costs and space requirements. At the same time, it also improves availability of both backup data and legacy applications.
Until recently, virtualization was primarily used by larger enterprises to operate their datacenters more efficiently. But the market for virtualization is growing. According to research from IDC, the virtualization services market will more than double from $5.5 billion in 2006 to $11.7 billion in 2011. This estimate anticipates that many businesses — even if they don’t have vast numbers of servers — can benefit from virtualization as well, in these key ways:
Because it reduces the number of physical servers businesses need, virtualization reduces energy, hardware costs, administration costs and space requirements. At the same time, it also improves availability of both backup data and legacy applications.
More effective server use
Just as larger enterprises benefit from server consolidation, so too can growing businesses under pressure to maximize their server investment. Companies that buy a dedicated server for every application may end up with dozens of servers, none utilizing its full capacity. By using virtualization, these same organizations can reduce the number of servers they need while ensuring their servers operate at the most efficient capacity.
Lower cost
Installing virtualization software means companies don’t have to purchase additional hardware each time they implement a new application. In turn, fewer servers means less money spent on power, cooling and even real estate. Deploying blade servers, which piggyback in a common chassis, saves even more space.
Improved availability
Changing market dynamics often result in a need to re-allocate resources. In a growing business, where agility is a competitive advantage, virtualization can simplify the process of implementing a new application because it can take advantage of existing hardware resources. At the same time, because companies can use virtualization software to create a virtual server for older operating systems, they can maintain availability of legacy applications that hold crucial data. Some organizations also use virtualization to create a testing environment, reducing the amount of time and energy expended to install, configure, test and debug applications.
Increased flexibility
As businesses grow, so do the needs of many of their applications. Virtualization technology allows virtual servers to move easily from one physical server to another. This helps ensure that server resources can be optimized to accommodate changes in application and user needs without disturbing the operation of the network.
Streamlined management
By decreasing the number of physical servers a company requires, virtualization also relieves the IT department from the burden of hardware management. Management of components such as fans, power supplies, motherboards, device drivers, and platform firmware is greatly reduced by server consolidation.
Simpler recovery
Growing businesses need the same level of disaster recovery and back-up capability as their enterprise counterparts, even though they may not have the same financial or human resources. Virtualization helps here as well. Virtual servers can allow back up and recovery to occur directly from a physical hardware device. This can eliminate the time consuming task of having IT staff sort through backup tapes and deal with other problems (such as not having a record of software licenses or not being able to locate original CDs of programs).
Sun virtualization for growing businesses
Sun offers a number of solutions — including ultra-scalable x64 servers supporting quad-core processors running industry-leading VMware virtualization software, or the market's most energy efficient CoolThreads servers that come with no-cost, built-in Logical Domains virtualization technology — that can help your business achieve the highest degree of server virtualization.
Learn more about Sun’s support for virtualization.
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