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Introduction to virtualization and how tos

• Full virtualization vs. paravirtualization: What are the key differences?

  Full virtualization and paravirtualization both enable hardware resource abstraction, but the two technologies differ when it comes to isolation levels. Continue Reading

• The history of virtualization and its mark on data center management

  Virtualization was a huge leap in data center technology with software such as hypervisors and virtual switches that expanded organizations' capabilities and redefined IT. Continue Reading

• Benefits of VMs include workload mobility and fast duplication

  VMs, whether created by Type 1 or Type 2 hypervisors, offer many benefits in a virtualization project. Potential disadvantages include performance and resource consumption. Continue Reading

• How do I find a VM host computer in a Microsoft or VMware environment?

  Virtualization offers many advantages by abstracting workloads from hardware, but you may still need to find the VM host computer. You can do so using these queries and commands. Continue Reading

• Prove you're an expert on the different hypervisor types

  Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors are different animals with specific use cases, advantages and disadvantages. How well do you know the technology? Take this quiz to find out. Continue Reading

• Expert advice for companies hesitant to implement virtualization

  Matthew Portnoy, author of Virtualization Essentials, 2nd Edition, answers our questions about virtualization basics and implementation best practices.Continue Reading

• How to buy a server virtualization management tool for your company

  Looking to buy a virtualization management tool? Expert Brien Posey details what criteria to consider so you choose the most effective product for your company.Continue Reading

• Do application containers on the same host compete for resources?

  How do containers improve efficiency or consolidation, and do containers on the same host compete with each other for resources?Continue Reading

• Server virtualization trends will de-emphasize hypervisor in 2016

  Now that the door has closed on 2015, our advisory board experts weigh in on server virtualization trends and offer predictions for what they expect in 2016.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Nano Server, VMware VSAN and others stand out in 2015

  From the container revolution to new solutions for common virtual machine problems, the server virtualization market continues to thrive. Join us as we look back at these top tips from 2015.Continue Reading

• Choosing storage back end for open source virtualization environments

  When setting up open source virtualization environments, users should consider the benefits of both VM files and physical devices for optimal storage back end.Continue Reading

• First step in a virtualization design: Understand the layers

  There are many design factors to consider when creating your virtual infrastructure that can help you build a robust deployment and prevent future problems.Continue Reading

• Hyper-convergence, vRealize among top terms of 2014

  2014 is coming to a close, but there were plenty of product and technology definitions that stood out this year, including 'vRealize,' 'containers' and more.Continue Reading

• How the Hyper-V architecture differs from VMware ESXi

  Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware ESXi are both Type 1 hypervisors, but they have key architectural differences you should know about.Continue Reading

• OVirt vs. RHEV: Are they interchangeable?

  If you wonder about the difference between RHEV 3.1 and oVirt 3.1, you're not alone. We asked an expert to clear up any oVirt vs. RHEV confusion.Continue Reading

• Proceed with caution: Multi-hypervisor management tools

  If you’re considering a heterogeneous virtualization shop, don’t count on multi-hypervisor management tools to solve all of your administration woes.Continue Reading

• Asking stupid questions can lead to server virtualization success

  Stupid questions are rarely stupid. In fact, asking stupid questions can challenge the status quo, leading to better results in the data center.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• Geek gifts gone wrong: What not to buy your loved ones

  Geeks confess the nerdy gifts that didn’t work out and offer a note of caution when it comes to buying for them, too. Hint: no more USB sticks.Continue Reading

• What to buy a geek for the holidays: The complete shopping guide

  IT pros are making their wish lists and checking them twice as the holiday shopping season heats up.Continue Reading

• Application virtualization FAQ

  Application virtualization can ease server virtualization management woes. But an admin must first understand how the technologies are complementary.Continue Reading

• Q&A: Cross-platform virtualization management

  More data centers are running multiple virtualization platforms, but with this approach, virtualization management can get complicated.Continue Reading

• Virtualization management tools: The compact cars of IT

  Most virtualization management tools look and feel the same these days, and IT pros are waiting to be wowed.Continue Reading

• Q&A: Network virtualization benefits and challenges

  An expert explains the technical process behind network virtualization and the difference between internal and external virtual networks.Continue Reading

• Virtualization technology licensing FAQ: Hyper-V, VMware licensing

  When you virtualize, don’t forget to follow the rules. Understand the virtualization technology licensing requirements for your platform and more.Continue Reading

• Choosing a virtualization hypervisor: Eight factors to consider

  Whether you choose a hosted or bare-metal hypervisor, consider performance, cost, reliability and more as you pick a virtualization hypervisor.Continue Reading

• Evaluating software with virtual appliances

  Evaluating software often involves lengthy, complicated POC deployments. But virtual appliances can make the process faster and more effective.Continue Reading

• Free virtualization: It’s free for a reason

  Free virtualization hypervisors can be tempting, but they often lack features, such as live migration and high availability, that really unlock the technology’s power.Continue Reading

• Network virtualization technology FAQ

  Network virtualization lets you break one physical network into many virtual networks or combine physical networks into one virtual network.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Server virtualization in health care IT

  Server virtualization can stop your data center from turning into an emergency room, but virtualization in health care IT brings unique challenges.Continue Reading

• Business application development in a virtual infrastructure

  Virtualization may increase your need for business application updates, but it can also make application development easier. First, decide whether to use third-party development.Continue Reading

• Server virtualization platform comparison: VMware vs. Microsoft

  VMware's server virtualization platform leads the market, but Microsoft Hyper-V is catching on. Use this server virtualization comparison to help decide which is right for you.Continue Reading

• Endpoint virtualization vs. server virtualization: Server requirements

  Endpoint virtualization is a new level of server virtualization, but there are some important differences in the two implementations and how end users interact with the server.Continue Reading

• Don't put cloud cart before virtualization horse

  It's easy to get caught up in virtualization and the cloud. But don't forget, there are companies that haven't virtualized at all.Continue Reading

• Virtualization hypervisor comparison: Type 1 vs. Type 2 hypervisors

  This virtualization hypervisor comparison takes a look at the Type 1 hypervisor, which enables hardware virtualization, and the Type 2 hypervisor, which runs atop existing OSes.Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel vs. iSCSI SANs: Who cares?

  Despite the fever pitch, the Fibre Channel vs. iSCSI SAN debate may not matter much for your IT shop -- especially since the performance differences between the two are negligible.Continue Reading

• New IT trends: Are they right for you?

  New and emerging technology always excites IT administrators. But don't let the allure of new IT trends distract you from your business goals.Continue Reading

• Is virtualization cloud computing?

  Most private cloud computing relies heavily on virtualization. But for successful private cloud computing, virtualization must work together with several technologies.Continue Reading

• Server colocation vs. segmentation for test and dev, production

  Some experts say server colocation is an easy way to save money. Others say it lets your testing and development environment drain resources from production applications.Continue Reading

• VMware vs. VirtualBox: Which is better for host-based virtualization?

  Which is better: VirtualBox or VMware Workstation? Workstation is tightly integrated with VMware's suite, but VirtualBox is open source. Two virtualization experts weigh in.Continue Reading

• Xen virtualization vs. KVM virtualization architecture

  Xen virtualization and KVM virtualization architecture differ. If you're considering open source virtualization, this section of our guide explores these virtualization technologies.Continue Reading

• ISCSI vs. NFS for virtualization shared storage

  Virtualization experts debate ISCSI vs. NFS for shared storage in a virtual environment.Continue Reading

• Face-off: Generic VMware vSwitch vs. Cisco Nexus 1000V

  When it comes to comparing Cisco Nexus 1000v with the VMware vSwitch, two experts can't seem to agree which of the two is superior. Read both their sides and form your own opinion!Continue Reading

• Choosing the best server virtualization hardware and storage protocols

  Choosing the right server virtualization hardware and storage protocol can reduce network virtualization infrastructure costs substantially.Continue Reading

• The best virtualization products of 2009

  Judges have selected the best virtualization products of 2009 in six categories: platforms, management, backup and storage, security, hardware, and desktop virtualization.Continue Reading

• Hypervisor technology: Out of the lab and into production

  Hypervisor technology poses technical challenges for any IT organization. Learn desirable levels of server consolidation while supporting application streaming to clients.Continue Reading

• Compare bare-metal hypervisors and hosted hypervisors

  Bare-metal hypervisors are the most commonly deployed hypervisor, installed directly onto the computing hardware. Learn what a hosted hypervisor, which runs within the OS, can do.Continue Reading

• VMware products and features: An overview

  Perplexed by the steady stream of VMware products? This overview dissects VMware features and product bundles and helps identify if VMware suits your virtualization environment.Continue Reading

• Virtual machine performance monitoring approaches and tools

  To gauge virtual machine performance or detect failure, decide whether to monitor from inside or outside a VM and then choose a monitoring tool that works with your hypervisor.Continue Reading

• Analyze server virtualization software pros and cons

  Which VM software is the best? This exceprt compares vendor-neutral overviews of server virtualization software solutions from an application and performance perspective.Continue Reading

• Xen vs. KVM Linux virtualization hypervisors

  Which side wins in the Xen vs. KVM Linux virtualization hypervisor debate? Two IT experts weigh-in with their Xen-KVM comparisons.Continue Reading

• Configuring nodes with open source cluster resource management tools

  Open source cluster resource management has cost-effective tools for building high-availability environments.Continue Reading

• Winning management buy-in for server virtualization projects

  Whether the impetus for server virtualization comes from the top down or the bottom up, winning management buy-in for virtual server technology is key to implementation success.Continue Reading

• Application virtualization with VMware ThinApp

  VMware's ThinApp technology can increase application compatibility in Windows environments. An expert explains the virtues of application virtualization and explains how to configure a virtual application with ThinApp.Continue Reading

• More OSes gain hypervisors, but most users choose OS-independent approach

  Virtualization users can choose bare-metal hypervisors from VMware or run virtual machines through an operating system with Microsoft's Hyper-V or Red Hat's KVM.Continue Reading

• VMware vs. Microsoft vs. Xen: An expert face-off

  Three experts weigh in on the merits and drawbacks of virtualization technologies Hyper-V, VMware and Citrix.Continue Reading

• VMware demos hypervisor; vendors outline roadmap at VMworld

  At VMworld, VMware reveals its acquisition of Dunes Technologies and an embedded hypervisor, Intel and AMD outline future virtualization technology priorities, such as security.Continue Reading

• VMworld 2007 news, product and video roundup

  Your home page for the best VMworld 2007 news coverage.Continue Reading

• Get low-cost virtualization with free VMware, Microsoft, Xen products

  Virtualization technology can be expensive. In this tip, Alessandro Perilli tells you how you can bring virtualization into your data center and avoid the hefty price tag.Continue Reading

• With virtualization, some users skip the P2V tools

  Not every physical-to-virtual migration is achieved using a P2V utility; some IT managers prefer to create virtual machines the old-fashioned way.Continue Reading

• Paravirtualization pros and cons

  Expert Bernard Golden takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of paravirtualization in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Virtual appliances: The risks and benefits

  As server virtualization continues to gain acceptance, vendors and customers feel more and more confident to use it for a variety of tasks and not just to support for legacy applications and server consolidation. One more recent use for server ...Continue Reading

• The myths of virtual machine consolidation

  As you jump onto the virtualization bandwagon, you'll hear a lot of varying claims about what virtualization can do. But is virtualization truly the greatest thing since sliced bread? Sure, it can be hugely helpful, but sometimes the hype might get ...Continue Reading

• Microsoft Virtual Server vs. Virtual PC

  Microsoft has two virtualization offerings -- Virtual Server 2005 and Virtual PC -- that are both great products at a great price (free). So which one is better? It depends what you want to do.Continue Reading