Need to Replace a Failing or old Server |
If you need to replace an old physical server virtualization makes the process so much more cost effective. You buy a new server, install the virtualization software on it, then preform a Physical to Virtual (P to V) conversion. This conversion turns the old physical server into a new virtual server on the new physical server you purchased. The old server can then be retired or reused. |
Decrease in New Server Costs |
A typical physical server or "host" can run 8 -15 virtual servers at the same time. This cuts down on the number of physical servers that need to be purchased and minimizes the number of maintenance contracts and IT support required. Future servers would be virtualized on virtualization platform.
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Decrease in Data Center costs by
“Going Green” |
By reducing the number of physical servers the environmental benefits are obvious. Fewer servers means less electricity to support them, less cooling costs and a smaller footprint. Less UPS battery backup is needed as well. |
Decrease in IT Support Costs |
With less physical servers to manage IT support will be simplified and ultimately costs reduced. Updates can be pushed to all servers at once. You can take a snapshot of a virtual server, perform an upgrade and if there are issues just rollback to the original snapshot. |
High Availability
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There are multiple redundancy features to ensure the highest possible server uptime. In a two (or more) server configuration, if a physical server fails for any reason the “virtual” servers can be brought online on a different physical server. Virtual networking functions also have redundancy features. |
Maximize Server Utilization |
According to studies the average physical server uses only about 10 percent of its hardware resources. By “virtualizing” and having multiple virtual servers
(8-15) running on a physical server you can maximize your server investment.
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Virtual Servers are not tied to Physical Hardware
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If a disaster were to occur the virtual servers can be restored to any type of server hardware. For example a single physical server could be stored at an offsite location and in the event of a disaster the virtual servers could be restored and brought online much sooner than the traditional one for one server recovery process. |
Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS)
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This feature of VMware will dynamically allocate resources (CPU and memory) to the servers that need it. If a certain server needs more resources, those resources will be automatically allocated from another under utilized server. |
Test Environment for new Severs and Upgrades
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Virtualization allows new servers to be built and tested without the need for additional server hardware. For any operating system or application upgrades snapshots can be taken of existing virtual servers before the upgrade. |
