Taking charge of VM allocation, troubleshooting methods

Introduction

Virtualization admins are responsible for ensuring data center operations are running smoothly, but as with most jobs in IT, that's easier said than done. Virtual infrastructures are made up of many moving parts -- virtual machines, applications, workloads and so on -- and even a small problem left unresolved can lead to downtime or system failure.

Admins need to make sure their hardware resources can support the virtual machines (VMs) they need to run, and that their environments can scale as workloads increase. As more organizations consider virtualizing mission-critical workloads, and the IT industry shifts toward a software-defined future, getting the highest VM performance is becoming even more important.

As such, effective data center management needs to include capacity planning, VM allocation, troubleshooting methods and the right monitoring tools. This essential guide will cover the basics, as well as more advanced tips for admins to optimize server and VM performance.

1Plan-

Master capacity planning and VM allocation

Capacity planning and VM allocation aren't one-and-done things when it comes to overseeing data center operations. To effectively manage an environment, virtualization admins need to be aware of the VMs they have in their infrastructures, what resources their current workloads require and how that might change over time. Luckily, there are a number of proven strategies admins can implement to help in these efforts.

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Evaluate what you have for capacity planning purposes

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Expert tips on capacity planning for virtualization

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Why achieving optimal VM allocation is important

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2Manage-

Choose proper management tools

As virtualization infrastructures grow in size and complexity, they're becoming more difficult to manage. Although there are tools that can help virtualization admins better manage their VMs and workloads, selecting the best tool can be a challenge. Even after doing careful research and choosing a management tool, admins need to plan for implementation. Make sure you're laying the proper groundwork to take full advantage of these tools.

3Problem solve-

Troubleshoot common virtual infrastructure problems

Finding an issue in the data center is one thing, but solving the problem is another matter entirely. Unfortunately, both tasks can be challenging and time-consuming, as performance issues can be caused by any number of things, including overprovisioning and VM sprawl. By implementing best practices and taking advantage of certain tools, virtualization admins can minimize downtime and get data center operations back to normal.

4Key terms-

Learn key VM allocation and troubleshooting terms

An essential part of allocating VM resources and troubleshooting performance problems is knowing the related terminology. Read on to familiarize yourself with some important terms.