Challenges of server virtualization

How to calculate proper Windows Server 2012 virtualization licensing

Licensing virtual servers can get confusing and expensive. Brien Posey shares the ins and outs of server licensing with a Windows Server 2012 example.Tip

Is a fully virtualized infrastructure a good idea for your business?

Years ago, experts asked whether a fully virtualized infrastructure was even possible. That debate is settled, but is 100% virtualization a good idea?Tip

Standing out from the IT admin crowd

How can you market your skills as an IT admin? Take a look at the latest virtualization certifications and other ways to compete with your peers.Guide

It's a growing trend, but are multiple hypervisors the right answer?

More large organizations are turning to multiple hypervisors to improve performance or reduce costs, but is now the time to jump on the bandwagon?Advisory Board

Examining heterogeneous data center management methods

A heterogeneous data center often boosts ROI, but it also increases confusion. Clear the air by testing your knowledge of multi-hypervisor strategy.Quiz

How to make the most of hardware service contracts

Software licensing and support, virtualization and the cloud

Top five scenarios to avoid for a successful virtualization deployment

For all the benefits a virtualization deployment brings, it can bring just as much grief. Avoid these five scenarios to ensure success.Photo Story

Virtualizing mission-critical applications

Software licensing challenges: How virtualization obscures CPU usage

Preventing denial-of-service attacks on virtualized Exchange servers

Denial-of-service attacks pose a serious security threat to virtualized Exchange servers. Discover what you can do to mitigate potential intrusions.Tip

Keeping up with virtualization and mobile technology security

As virtualization extends its reach, IT needs to focus its efforts on maintaining a resilient data center and mobile technology security.Feature

Focus on hypervisor security to keep your virtual data center safe

A security breach on a single VM can mean a widespread outage, making effective hypervisor security a requirement for every virtual data center.Tip

Editors pick best virtualization techniques and management strategies

Take a look at our list of the best tips of 2012 for virtualization techniques, new technologies and virtual infrastructure management strategies.Feature

Putting off patching

How to patch a virtual environment

Virtual security: New attack vectors, new ballgame

Patch management best practices for virtual hosts

Virtualization security: How vulnerable is your hypervisor?

What are your biggest virtualization challenges?

Virtualization challenges are inherent to any deployment. If licensing, capacity planning and vendor bashing really grinds your gears, you’re not alone.Answer

What are the best backup methods and tools for my VMs?

Choosing the wrong VM backup methods and tools could cause major problems in your infrastructure. Avoid the headaches by remembering the basics.Answer

Infrastructure provisioning challenges: Linking physical and virtual

Infrastructure provisioning tools often fail to bridge the management gap between physical and virtual. Is vendor standardization the answer?Feature

Keeping up with virtualization and mobile technology security

As virtualization extends its reach, IT needs to focus its efforts on maintaining a resilient data center and mobile technology security.Feature

Big data projects require big changes in hardware and software

Terminal services take on VDI

Tactics for more reliable IT

Get up to speed on some important tactics to improve reliability and ease overhead across all levels of the enterprise.Opinion

How to plan for desktop virtualization

Top five scenarios to avoid for a successful virtualization deployment

For all the benefits a virtualization deployment brings, it can bring just as much grief. Avoid these five scenarios to ensure success.Photo Story

Virtualization problems: When good deployments go bad

Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V storage: How Microsoft can fix the issues

Despite improvements, the Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V storage architecture still has holes. One expert details how Microsoft can fix the issues.Tip

Five virtualization sprawl warning signs

Virtual infrastructure management challenges: VM sprawl and security

Multi-hypervisor automation with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

The free Microsoft Deployment Toolkit automates OS deployments across multiple hypervisor platforms, saving IT pros countless hours and headaches.Tip

The future of virtualization: Areas for growth and concern

On the surface, the future of virtualization is bright. But, as more workloads are virtualized, new and complex infrastructure problems arise.Column | 25 Jul 2012

What are your biggest virtualization challenges?

Virtualization challenges are inherent to any deployment. If licensing, capacity planning and vendor bashing really grinds your gears, you’re not alone.Answer

Virtual data center decisions: Should you go 100% virtual?

Our advisory board members offer their opinions on going 100% virtual, a pressing virtual data center decision now that hypervisors are more powerful.Answer

Defining an ideal virtual server consolidation ratio

Finding the best virtual server consolidation ratio is difficult, and larger, virtualization-friendly servers do not necessarily ease the process.Tip

The best ways to control virtual machine sprawl

After virtual machine sprawl takes hold, all hope isn’t lost. There are ways to reclaim your environment and prevent VM sprawl from appearing again.Tip

Mommy, where does VM sprawl come from?

VM sprawl creeps up on a data center. Before you can tackle the issue, it helps to understand how VM sprawl occurs and what it can do to an IT shop.Tip

Automation tools for virtualization provisioning: Weighing the options

When choosing automation tools for your virtualization provisioning, carefully weigh all options to ensure that you get the most bang for your buck.Tip