The Benefits of Virtual Servers

By Thomas G. Stephens, Jr., CPA, CITP

 

The previous two installments in this series provided an overview of virtual computers and how to create your first virtual PC. And while virtual computers at the desktop and laptop level provide tremendous benefits to end users and technology managers alike, for many organizations the real benefits of virtualization begin to accrue when servers are virtualized.

 

In the final installment of this series, we explore the benefits of virtualized servers and how your organization can put this proven concept to use immediately to achieve a greater return on your investment in information technology assets.

 

What Are Virtual Servers?

 

Like virtual computers, a virtual server is simply a server that is independent of a physical device. In this case, independence is achieved by separating the virtual device from a physical server. Virtual servers are created by installing software such as Virtual Server, Hyper-V (both from Microsoft), Server, or ESXi (both from VMWare) onto existing servers and using these software tools to create emulated server environments. Once the emulated server environment has been created, the appropriate server operating system – Windows Server 2008, for example – is installed into the emulated environment and then the virtual server is treated as if it were a traditional, physical server.

Thus, server-based applications are loaded and run from a virtual server and data files are accessed from a virtual server just as if these applications and files were hosted on a traditional server.

 

The Benefits Of Using Virtual Servers

The most obvious benefit of using virtual servers is that they do not require additional investments in hardware. Many studies point to the fact that physical servers are often grossly underused, often sitting idle 80% to 90% of the time. In a virtual server environment, multiple virtual servers can easily be consolidated onto one physical server, thereby increasing the use of an existing asset and increasing the return on that investment in the process.

Because fewer physical servers are required in a virtual server environment, additional benefits accrue due to the fact that less power, cooling, and floor space is required to deploy the servers. Back-ups can also be faster and more efficient as fewer physical servers will require back-up in a virtual environment.

Managing fewer physical devices can lead to improved efficiencies as there are fewer opportunities for error and breakdown. Moreover, in a virtual environment, virtual servers can be adjusted and redeployed from one physical device to another, in real-time without end-users ever being aware of the shift. This not only allows technology managers to dynamically shift server loads from one physical computer to another, but also facilitates taking a physical server off line for maintenance.

Virtual servers are also ideal tools for testing new applications or technology strategies. Keeping in mind that any change made to the virtual server does not impact the host computer on which it resides, when the test or trial is completed, the virtual server can be simply removed from the host without fear of compromising any of the host’s settings.

Finally, in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophe, a virtual server can be redeployed very rapidly on another physical server. Assuming a back-up of the virtual server exists, simply restoring the backup to another physical server equipped with the appropriate virtualization software is all that is required to redeploy the virtual server. This means the amount of time required to recover from a disaster can be drastically reduced.

 

 

Comparing a Physical Server Environment to a Virtual Server Environment

Comparing a Physical Server Environment to a Virtual Server Environment

 

 

How to Migrate To Virtual Servers

At the risk of over-simplification, the migration from a physical server environment to a virtual server environment can be as straightforward as a three-step process of:

1. Obtaining and installing appropriate virtualization software onto a host computer.

2. Creating one or more virtual servers on the host with the appropriate server operating system installed.

3. Installing server-based applications and data files onto the virtual server(s).

 

Of course, for many organizations, the process is likely to be a bit more involved. Key planning considerations, such as those detailed below, must be addressed prior to migrating to a virtual server environment:

● Which virtualization software is appropriate for the organization?

● How many virtual servers are required to efficiently process the organization’s data?

● Is extra memory or hard disk space necessary or is it time to acquire new server hardware altogether?

● Are the existing physical servers capable of hosting one or more virtual servers with adequate speed?

● What mechanisms will be used to backup the virtual servers?

● Can the floor space saved in a virtually environment be redeployed for better use in the organization?

● Should modifications be made to existing power supplies and cooling systems based on the reduced demand resulting from the move to a virtual environment?

 

Despite the planning considerations listed above, the process of migrating an existing physical server environment to a virtual environment is one that should not be a daunting challenge for any organization. Further, it is not necessary to migrate to a completely virtual environment overnight. Rather, the process can easily be staged over a period of time, perhaps beginning with some of the least risky applications and data and, over time, working up to migrating mission-critical line-of-business applications to a virtual environment as additional comfort and knowledge of virtual systems is gained.

Throughout this three-part series, we have focused on the practical benefits of virtualized computing and virtual servers certainly provide numerous, tangible benefits to organizations of all sizes. Instead of continuing to invest in physical servers – many of which are grossly underused – virtual servers allow organizations to leverage their investment in information technology assets by increasing the utilization of their physical servers. Also, virtual servers offer improved load-balancing, maintenance, and management capabilities as compared to their traditional, physical counterparts. Coupled with virtual workstations, virtual servers provide organizations of all sizes with tremendous opportunities to increase organizational efficiencies for incremental investments of, in some cases, virtually zero.

With that in mind, isn’t it time you looked into virtualizing your servers as well as your workstations?

 

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Microsoft.