Virtualization Solutions for Data Centers

Virtualization solutions have entered the business climate with an array of technology implementations for improved efficiency and cost effectiveness for data centers. In general terms, virtualization is the process by which IT systems and functions are removed from being directly tethered to physical computing resources. The paradigm is focused on improving technology efficiency and lowering costs through eliminating redundant resources and only utilizing the most economical implementation. Essentially, resources are centralized and then accessed remotely on a subscription or per-use basis by many clients, rather than each customer being tethered to their own in-house set-up.

Data center virtualization can take many forms. Consonus offers the entire range of data center virtualization solutions. In this article, we will review the following five particular aspects: operating systems, hardware, and applications, networks, and data storage.

Operating System Virtualization

This is the most commonly thought of application of virtual resources. Typically, every computer has its own copy of an operating system, such as Microsoft Windows or RedHat Enterprise Linux. Today’s latest method instead makes the OS virtual by having terminals that can access one copy of an OS from a central source. Each instance of the operating system is completely distinct and separate; in this way, one computer can provide the computing applications to a multitude of terminals.

When it comes to data center virtualization, Consonus offers the ability to reduce the number of physical machines and hardware within data centers. However, there is no loss in the underlying applications or their capabilities, just a cost savings on hardware, office space, and energy.

Virtual Hardware

As a corollary to simulating operating systems, hardware can also become virtual. Many computer resources go unutilized during the course of a workday. Imagine the amount of processor power that sits idle in every office computer when it is not under heavy use. Instead of having an inefficient use of all of these individual machines, hardware can be virtualized.

In such a scheme, every application that would require hardware resources would be allocated a portion of a large, central and powerful computer processing unit. The operating resources used by data centers would by dynamically allocated where they are needed and will not sit idle where they are not needed.

Creating Virtual Applications

Another aspect of virtualization solutions focuses on applications and programs themselves. A local machine can provide the required processing power and memory to run a program, but the actual software is only installed on a central server. This cuts down on the redundant installations of common software onto each and every machine within data centers. This type of virtual application is also seen in web browser based applications.

Virtual Networks

Even networks can be broken into individual virtual pieces through a central source. In this instance, a single Ethernet port can support multiple virtual connections for many different IP addresses. Complicated networks running through data centers, terminals, and personal computers can be greatly simplified and condensed. Virtual networks are ultimately more flexible and are easier to add or remove connections from.

Data Storage Virtualization Solutions

When it comes to making data storage itself virtual, there are two methods: block and file virtualization. Block virtualization would resemble distributed storage networks that appear to be single physical devices. Data can be mapped to a type of network drive rather than a local hard drive without any loss in accessibility, effectively creating virtual hard drive copies that are all bundled together. This changes the typical storage paradigm by pairing data with central drives rather than local drives.

File virtualization is the version that most users will interact with on a daily basis. File locations are mapped to a global network rather than a single device. For example, when accessing data on a user’s personal drive, the file actually resides on a remote server. What the user is accessing is a pointer to the data. The main benefit here is that the data can change locations behind the scenes without the user ever having to change shortcuts or rearrange folders. Only the mapped pointer itself is altered to reflect the change and not every individual user’s drives.

Consonus offers data center virtualization solutions to fulfill any business need. Clients can reduce the amount of hardware necessary, condense redundant application installations, share operating systems among terminals, and optimize data storage and accessibility. Overall, virtualization aims to utilize computing resources and information technology efficiently. Reducing costs and barriers to entry for small business and large companies alike is what drives virtualization technology forward.