Virtualization Strategies for the CIO
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The data center of the future
Transitioning to the virtual data center involves taking into account many trends that are just beginning to take off, such as cloud computing, IT consumerization and Big Data. In this expert e-zine, explore how you can take steps to embrace these ne... E-Zine
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Assessing server hardware refresh options
Server buyers should consider the implications of vendor roadmaps and consolidation and look to capacity planning and objective tools when updating data center hardware. In this IT handbook you will learn the importance of server roadmap, factors to ... E-Handbook
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Virtualization ups ante on server hardware choices
In our fifth issue of Virtual Data Center, Richard Jones explains how choices about whether to go with rackmount or blade servers should be dictated by four components of your environment: CPU, memory, storage and network bandwidth. Joe Clabby then e... E-Zine
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Drawing up an effective VMware vSphere design from scratch
Planning for a VMware infrastructure can be a daunting task, especially for a beginner. VSphere design expert Scott Lowe describes what to expect. Feature
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Three ways to boost server efficiency and avoid hypervisor contention
If your hypervisor isn't performing at its best, ask yourself these three questions to see if you should pay more attention to server efficiency. Feature
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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
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RHEV vs. vSphere: The virtualization platform wars
In the RHEV vs. vSphere debate, which platform has the edge? Quiz yourself on the latest developments in RHEV 3.1 and vSphere 5.1. Quiz
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Virtualization makes big data analytics possible for SMBs
Big data isn't just for large companies with fat wallets. A virtual Hadoop deployment lets budget-conscious SMBs benefit from big data analytics. Column
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Economic implications of Exchange virtualization
Cost savings are a great reason to virtualize Exchange. However, where those savings lie isn’t always obvious. Home in on these three areas during your virtualization project. guide
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High-availability guide: Using high-availability servers and systems
Deploying high-availability server and systems requires proper planning and the right software choices. This guide covers all that and more. Guide
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The data center’s hidden cost
Power consumption never stops in the data center, but few consider its real costs. Feature
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Virtualizing applications and virtual server migration best practices
Virtualizing applications is great for ROI. With virtual server migrations and virtual appliances, you can recoup your investment even faster. Tutorial
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Server virtualization technology options: A face-off directory
When it comes to server virtualization technology, you have lots of options: ISCSI or NFS? Xen or KVM? Experts debate these options and more. GUIDE
- See more Essential Knowledge on Server hardware and virtualization
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Embrace, don’t fear, new data center technology
New data center technology that disrupts the status quo can be unsettling. But embracing change makes yourself more marketable and can improve efficiency. Column | 31 Jul 2012
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Breaking down IT silos to increase data center efficiency
IT silos are relics from days of managing physical infrastructures. Smart IT shops will tear down these barriers to improve data center efficiency. Column | 12 Jun 2012
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IT trends: Where hardware innovation leads, software follows
Over time, certain IT trends emerge. And if you look closely, you’ll find that major advances in software usually follow hardware innovation. Column | 30 May 2012
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Virtualization hardware and data center design: Did the debate shift?
When it comes to virtualization hardware, converged infrastructure like NetApp FlexPod and VCE Vblock is taking the place of yesterday’s vertically scaled systems. Column | 30 Jan 2012
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Physical servers live on longer than IT pros predict
Hypervisors are more technically capable than ever of taking on new workloads, but logistical issues like legacy apps, budget and time constraints still stand in the way of server consolidation. News | 12 Oct 2011
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Navigating the converged infrastructure hype cycle
Does the reality of converged infrastructure products, such as the Vblock and FlexPod, live up to the hype? Our columnist shares his hands-on experiences. Column | 17 Feb 2011
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Virtualization should start with disaster recovery, says Ohio agency
How do you go from zero to 90% virtualized with 200 VMs in about six months? Plan ahead, according to one state agency, and start with disaster recovery. Article | 06 Dec 2010
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Vblock sales still slow despite increased interest
Data center customers like the idea of Vblocks, but most still buy servers, storage and virtualization from their preferred vendors. News | 23 Nov 2010
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Oracle Open World updates: Virtualization news in brief
Oracle pre-installs Oracle VM Server on Sparc; and other news in brief. Article | 24 Sep 2010
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Virtualization pros eye low-cost HP server for home labs
For virtualization professionals, HP's new MicroServer may be the ideal low-cost hardware for home labs. But will the entry-level server entice its target: small businesses? Article | 10 Sep 2010
- See more News on Server hardware and virtualization
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Virtualizing legacy servers without pulling out your hair
Moving a legacy server to a virtual environment provides the same benefits as virtualizing new servers, though the process is considerably trickier. Tip
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Five tips for building a VMware virtual infrastructure
Building a virtual infrastructure starts with good design and careful planning. These five tips will get you started with a VMware infrastructure. Tip
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Want per-VM reports and statistics? Turn to hypervisor-aware storage
Virtualization admins will have less of an opportunity to blame storage for unidentifiable problems thanks to the advent of hypervisor-aware storage. Tip
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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
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Optimal BIOS settings for server virtualization
The ideal mix of performance and reliability starts with learning which server BIOS settings you should configure for a virtualized system. Tip
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How oVirt 3.1 enables free enterprise-level virtualization
If a free, enterprise-level virtualization deployment sounds like it's too good to be true, take a closer look at oVirt 3.1. Tip
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Understanding the many facets of infrastructure convergence
Today, vendors are pushing all types of infrastructure convergence. Find out how each can make a difference in your environment. Tip
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How the software-defined data center changes the virtualization game
By removing the traditional constraints of physical hardware, the software-defined data center offers flexibility. Tip
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Virtualization power management: How to save money and the Earth
Virtualization power management is yet another way a hypervisor can help cut costs to achieve maximum ROI, with the added bonus of saving the Earth. Tip
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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
- See more Tips on Server hardware and virtualization
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How and where should we add a second hypervisor?
Multi-hypervisor environments are becoming more common, but IT shops usually stick with one hypervisor for production. Answer
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When is it time to consider a multi-hypervisor environment?
Is it time to add a second hypervisor? Licensing, vendor lock-in and technology updates can all play a part in the multi-hypervisor decision. Answer
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What are the challenges of multi-hypervisor management in the data center?
Adding a second hypervisor means adding complexity into the IT environment. Know the challenges before you deploy. Answer
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How much do server configurations affect hypervisor performance?
Software plays an important role in virtual infrastructure performance, but can you optimize performance by tweaking server configurations? ATE
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Which new server virtualization technology are you most thankful for?
As server virtualization technology matures, new features open up different possibilities. Our experts explain what new features they’re thankful for. Answer
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Dual-core quad-processor systems, or quad-core dual-processor systems?
We are looking at hardware for our new ESX farm and are wondering if we should go dual-core quad-processor systems, or quad-core dual-processor systems. Essentially we will have the same number of cores in either case, but the dual-processor servers ... Ask the Expert
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Pros and cons of using VHDs (virtual hard disks) versus mapping to physical disks
Deciding between using VHDs or mapping to physical disks? Expert Anil Desai explores the pros and cons of each in this expert response. Ask the Expert
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Newbie VMware questions
No question is too "beginner" for our experts. In this answer, Anil Desai helps a reader learn some basics about using VMware and virtualization. Ask the Expert
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How can I tell if my machines have these new chips?
Wondering if your hardware is virtualization enabled? Expert Bernard Golden tells you what to look for in this expert response. Ask the Expert
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What are multi-core processors?
Wondering what multi-core processors actually are? Bernard Golden shares his knowledge on the subject in this expert response. Ask the Expert
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server hardware degradation
Server hardware degradation is the gradual breakdown of the physical parts of a server. Definition
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host virtual machine (host VM)
A host virtual machine is the server component of a virtual machine (VM), the underlying hardware that provides computing resources to support a particular guest virtual machine (guest VM). Definition
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server virtualization
Server virtualization is the masking of server resources, including the number and identity of individual physical servers, processors, and operating systems, from server users. Definition
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virtual drive (virtual disk or RAM drive)
What is a virtual disk? A virtual disk (also known as a virtual drive or a RAM drive) is a file that represents as a physical disk drive to a guest operating system. Definition
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SPARC (Scalable Processor Architecture)
SPARC (Scalable Processor Architecture) is a 32- and 64-bit microprocessor architecture from Sun Microsystems that is based on reduced instruction set computing (RISC). Definition
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PowerPC
PowerPC is a microprocessor architecture that was developed jointly by Apple, IBM, and Motorola. Definition
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AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
AMD is the second largest maker of personal computer microprocessors after Intel. Definition
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How many virtual hosts should you put in a cluster?
VMware supports 32 virtual hosts in a cluster, and Hyper-V supports 16. But it's not always smart to reach these virtual server cluster sizing limits. Video
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New VMware product review
Miss the recent news about VMware vSphere 5, View 4.6 and vCloud Connector? This podcast has all the details on these new VMware products. Podcast
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Virtualization security and compliance Q&A with HyTrust CEO Eric Chiu
Virtualization security and compliance are becoming major issues. HyTrust CEO Eric Chiu discusses these trends in this edition of This Week in Virtualization. Podcast
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XenApp, XenDesktop drive XenServer growth
Citrix XenServer is the fastest-growing hypervisor on the market, thanks to the popularity of XenApp and XenDesktop. But that's not the only reason for XenServer's recent momentum. Podcast
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Oracle VM machine coming to appliance market
The Oracle VM machine will bundle Oracle VM and management software on a server with networking and storage hardware. But will it help Oracle compete in the virtualization market? Podcast
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EMC conference recap: EMC World 2010
EMC World 2010 featured lots of virtualization news from EMC. This EMC conference recap has all the details on EMC's virtualization networking and storage strategies. Podcast
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Cisco UCS: What's its audience?
By combining virtualization, hardware and management, he Cisco UCS holds promise. But it has struggled to find its niche so far. Podcast
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Intel, AMD multicore chips pose VMware licensing challenges
New Intel and AMD multicore chips could force users into expensive VMware licensing upgrades. We discuss the pros and cons of these multicore chips. Podcast
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Sun acquisition brings more Oracle virtualization options
Now that the Sun acquisition is complete, the Oracle virtualization roadmap is taking shape. The focus will be on integrated management and converged hardware and software. Podcast
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VMware cloud focus after Zimbra acquisition
The VMware-Zimbra acquisition raised some eyebrows, but the two companies have a strategy for using Zimbra's email and collaboration software to further the VMware cloud push. Podcast
- See more Multimedia on Server hardware and virtualization
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Virtualizing legacy servers without pulling out your hair
Moving a legacy server to a virtual environment provides the same benefits as virtualizing new servers, though the process is considerably trickier. Tip
-
Drawing up an effective VMware vSphere design from scratch
Planning for a VMware infrastructure can be a daunting task, especially for a beginner. VSphere design expert Scott Lowe describes what to expect. Feature
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Five tips for building a VMware virtual infrastructure
Building a virtual infrastructure starts with good design and careful planning. These five tips will get you started with a VMware infrastructure. Tip
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server hardware degradation
Server hardware degradation is the gradual breakdown of the physical parts of a server. Definition
-
Three ways to boost server efficiency and avoid hypervisor contention
If your hypervisor isn't performing at its best, ask yourself these three questions to see if you should pay more attention to server efficiency. Feature
-
How and where should we add a second hypervisor?
Multi-hypervisor environments are becoming more common, but IT shops usually stick with one hypervisor for production. Answer
-
When is it time to consider a multi-hypervisor environment?
Is it time to add a second hypervisor? Licensing, vendor lock-in and technology updates can all play a part in the multi-hypervisor decision. Answer
-
What are the challenges of multi-hypervisor management in the data center?
Adding a second hypervisor means adding complexity into the IT environment. Know the challenges before you deploy. Answer
-
Want per-VM reports and statistics? Turn to hypervisor-aware storage
Virtualization admins will have less of an opportunity to blame storage for unidentifiable problems thanks to the advent of hypervisor-aware storage. Tip
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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
- See more All on Server hardware and virtualization
About Server hardware and virtualization
Once you decide to take on a server consolidation project using virtualization, you face a host of data center virtualization infrastructure challenges, including server hardware choices, network optimization, the right processors and memory capacity. You should consider which server would be the best virtualization platform for your environment -- blade servers, rackmount servers, legacy mainframe system or cloud computing platforms -- in terms of the virtualized workloads you will deploy, your data center footprint, and data center power and cooling requirements. You also want an adequate number of networking interface card (NIC) slots and host bus adapters (HBAs) and you need to choose the best networking options for virtual machine traffic, including PCI express, InfiniBand, Ethernet, of Fibre Channel. Choosing the right CPUs and server memory capacity for virtualization is also necessary. This section on server hardware choices for data center virtualization helps you weigh server hardware options and features in terms of cost, performance, reliability, support, interoperability and other factors to optimize server performance and server efficiency. You will learn which server hardware products and features are best suited for production environments, test and development, disaster recovery, high performance computing, and cloud computing, and how to optimize memory, CPU, networking, server configuration and management and virtualization hardware support.