How Server Virtualization Works

In most cases, servers are immensely powerful systems that run all or most of a businesses’ software, but when you need to run lots of different applications, sometimes one machine is not sufficient. Some software functions better in a Linux environment than the Windows version or the equivalent package for your preferred operating system just doesn’t perform as you need because it lacks the full set of features. So, should you shell out for a complete new server or use virtualization software to enable the use of the best software packages for the job regardless of the base operating system?

Is Virtualization The Sensible Option

It’s because server virtualization software like VMware allows your main server to run multiple operating systems, there is no need to run two sets of hardware and incur extra expense providing the server used is capable of handling the applications you intend to use. Yes, your system will share resources over more than one operation system, but that should make no tangible difference to your users because virtualization software and the operating systems they run rarely place any strain on your processors or memory.

Most server manufacturers will offer pre-bundled virtualization packages because in reality, they hardly expect customers to purchase standalone hardware to use each piece of software. As an example, a systems admin using Dell server virtualization technology would receive a package from the manufacturer designed with a suitable virtualization product in mind.

How Resources are Shared Among Virtual Machines

Businesses suffer with much less redundancy when hardware resources are shared out among multiple operating systems through virtualization. Virtualization software ensures each operating system on a virtual machine only uses the resources assigned to it and leaves the remaining resources for the host machine. This means there is never a problem where one virtual machine can overload the server and affect other areas operation that may be critical to your business although, there are many levels of control, which you can apportion to the virtual machine. There’s a simple explanation of the different levels here, but for more detailed information Tech Target has a lots of resources.

The Operational Differences

From a user’s point of view, there will be no difference if they are accessing software or data thanks to virtualization software as the there are no indications that anything is different from the operating system they expect to use. Many servers run using Linux software, but most employees in offices throughout the UK and the rest of the world are familiar with office applications running on Windows platforms, but that is precisely why Virtualization is so practical.

Being part of the Dell team, I know we have a great range of virtualization options on offer. Visit the site and browse the solutions on offer.