As we enter the second decade of x86 server Virtualization Vicom itself has been helping customers implement and use VMware server Virtualization since 2002—organizations face a myriad of choices and wonder, what's next? Gone are the days where people are considering if they should virtualize (it just makes sense) as today people are looking towards how they can virtualize better. How can more efficiencies be found within my specific Virtualization environment? What other workloads can be virtualized? What other areas of the organization can benefit from the Virtualization environment already in place? The question isn't why to virtualize (we are way past that), but how to do it to better create advantages through its use. Here are some thoughts around what's next for x86 Virtualization. Many organizations are already embracing or starting to look at these to some degree. Organizations are looking for more than just plain Ol' Consolidation
Most people have embraced x86 virtualization with the same zeal and enthusiasm that they did when physical server consolidation was the in thing 8-10 years ago. The idea was to consolidate physical servers down from many to fewer, more powerful, physical servers. It made life easier for everyone with less stuff to manage, less space to take up, and less power to be used. We all did it and then x86 Virtualization came around and we did it all again: consolidate the consolidated physical environment down to fewer virtualized servers with the mantra that if you bought to server you might as well take advantage of the whole thing. We've all been there and done that. And because we've all consolidated our x86 server environments at least somewhat, there is not much further need, or business justification, to continue to do so.
What people are looking towards next is how to manage the virtualized environment already in place more effectively. Management (new or more comprehensive) is what's next when it comes to x86 virtualization. Organizations want and need to know how efficient they are (without speculation) and end users/customers utilizing the Virtualization environment. They need to know from the server, network and storage level, and most importantly, to how specific applications are being served up and used. They also want to be able to manage their physical and virtual environment within the same set of management tools, all within the same pane of glass.
Protecting High Value Applications
You will also continue to see more of a trend of virtualizing high value applications, including ERP systems, databases, and email--this is not new, but you'll see more of it. And they will virtualize up these apps not just for the sake of virtualizing them, but so these apps can be more agile in terms of moving, duplication or protecting workloads, such as for DR purposes.
This is what will be much more adopted this year from organizations. Plain old consolidation? Again, been there, done that. What's next is introducing and embracing management tools that give insight and transparency that can make the Virtualization environment a tool of value at all levels within the organization. And the value in these tools is not the software too itself, but in understanding how these tools bring value specifically the Virtualization environment and the organization overall. Look for firms that can help you understand how these management tools can make sense for you and your specific environment.
More to come…
Andy
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