Knowledge Base

If you have no experience with virtualisation, it can be hard to understand what it is and how it can benefit you. Because technology keeps changing, it is worth keeping up with developments such as server virtualisation so your business can benefit from them.

The idea of a virtual server is not new, but it has only recently become widespread for business and personal use. Virtual servers solve old technical problems and save people time, money and energy so they can run their work more efficiently.

What is a virtual server?

The term virtual server usually refers to a server located in an off-site data centre whose resources are shared by several users, each with control over their own part. It means turning one physical server into several virtual machines, each able to run its own operating system.

It is a way to make full use of a server’s processing power and to let several users share the cost of the equipment. Before virtualisation, servers used only part of their processing capacity, and computer networks could grow large and complex.

Virtual servers use power more efficiently and can raise a server’s utilisation from a typical 15 percent to as much as 80 percent.

What are the advantages of server virtualisation?

Once you understand what a virtual server is, you can start to think about how it could be useful to you. The main reason most people start using virtual servers is to save money.

With virtualisation there is less costly equipment, and users do not have to spend money managing hardware. Many people choose virtual servers as a way of using green technology: virtual servers use less energy, which is better for the environment and can also save money.

Virtual servers are used for many applications, from remote file access to web design and development. Because many software vendors pre-install their products on virtual machines, moving to virtualisation can simplify tasks such as installing software.

Implementing virtualisation

To benefit from virtual servers you need to work out your current workload and what kind of virtualisation you will need.

There are three main forms of virtualisation:

• Operating system virtualisation
• Hardware emulation
• Paravirtualisation

Operating system virtualisation means there are independent instances of the underlying operating system, while hardware emulation lets several operating systems be installed on one computer. Paravirtualisation coordinates access to the underlying hardware from several operating systems. Once you have chosen the right type of virtualisation, you will need to move your existing servers to the new environment.

You can do this manually or use migration products to help move your systems. The benefits of virtual servers can be attractive, but to find a solution you need to understand how virtualisation works and research the subject as well as your own network’s architecture.

There are some situations where virtual servers may not be a good choice, depending on your workload and system structure. With some research and expert insight you can decide whether a form of virtualisation will have a positive effect on your business.