January 20, 2015
Sometimes a computer server becomes crowded: too many programs are being run on it, too many users are trying to access it, and it slows down with the stress. Server virtualization splits one physical server into multiple online servers, completely separate from each other. This creates several virtual workspaces with the computing power and space to each run an individual operating system. For a company, virtual servers can reduce costs, increasing the amount of work that can be done from one physical computer location. Here are a few of the other benefits of virtual servers.
• Increase business agility. By having multiple servers available through a single physical computer, one can conceivably have up to 15 operating systems through only 3 CPUs. In addition, those virtual servers can be accessed from different physical locations, allowing a number of people to access the servers and edit any files that may be saved therein. This increases the number of people who can work on the same projects, saving time and money.
• Reduce number of servers and energy costs. When you can access multiple virtual servers from one physical location, there is no need to buy multiple computers. This lowers the cost of computer maintenance and computer accessories as well as lowering energy costs. Computers use tremendous energy and give off a lot of heat. By reducing the number of monitors and CPUs in your office, you cut down on energy needed to power the computers and keep the room cool.
• Live migration. When a computer needs to undergo maintenance, the server on that computer has to be shut down for a short period of time. Virtual servers can be moved to a different physical location via live migration, in which they are accessed from another computer without being shut down. This enables work to continue on that virtual server even while the physical server is temporarily out of commission.
• Increase system availability. The redundancy offered by multiple virtual servers allows a company to store important information multiple times in several locations. These locations are also protected even if a physical server goes down, and if any information is lost or corrupted, duplicate information can be opened on a different server.
To learn more about virtualization of servers, contact ITS today.
Thanks for reading,
Rob Connary, President - COO
