Virtualization basically is a framework/methodology of dividing the different resources of a computer system into multiple execution environments. For a common man the term may sound confusing or intimidating at times. But what every user doesn’t realize is that in a very crude form we all have been using virtualization on our work stations. Take the example of partitioning the hard disk into multiple drives/sectors. Another easy example would be a technology that allows you to run a number of operating systems on a system, simultaneously. It’s nothing but virtualization at work. But of course it’s not that simple always.
Virtualization may make a single resource look like many or may make multiple resources look like a single resource. The good thing is that it ensures that every piece of hardware can be made to work to the best of its capabilities.
Virtualization at times is used synonymously with server virtualization as servers are the components where it has been used most extensively so far. Server virtualization has in fact become very wide spread. Though initially it was being applied on main frames only but of late it has entered the domain of SME’s also.
But virtualization is not something that can and should be confined to single component i.e. servers only. It can and is being used in different components like storage, desktop, applications, etc. Numerous studies have shown that best results of virtualization are obtained when server virtualization is coupled with storage virtualization. And this fact has gained a lot of currency in the market. The market is now flooded with solutions for not just server virtualization but also storage and desktop virtualization.
But if everyone is talking about virtualization and adopting it then there must be strong reasons behind it. And that’s precisely the case. Virtualization when applied to IT components offers vast variety of benefits to the CIO’s. To list a few, it results to:
· Lowered TCO
· Quick ROI
· Better utilization of existing resources
· Reduced number of servers
· Better storage management
· Increased DR/BC capabilities
· Improved power efficiency
The list can go on and on but the main point is that virtualization has offered a near panacea to many problems a CIO faces today. It offers the CIO a way out of the financial constraints and performance issues. And if we look closely it’s obvious that virtualization is not useful to the IT operations and services only but is a boon to the whole business line that at some level makes use of the IT services.
Written by: Rohit Mishra
Posts
