Virtualization Strategies for the CIO
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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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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
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Virtualization hardware: The complete guide
Virtualization hardware can make or break an infrastructure. The right hardware decreases costs, and improves resource allocation and server consolidation ratios. Tutorial
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Test your advanced server virtualization knowledge
Find out how much you know about advanced server virtualization by taking this short quiz. Quiz
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FAQ: Virtual applications pros and cons
Virtual applications reduce hardware costs and ease application deployment. But there's a lot to consider when you virtualize mission-critical applications. FAQ
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Hardware compatibility issues lead to virtualization problems
Even little things like using USB drives for backups can cause major virtualization problems. A VAR shares his story about overcoming hardware compatibility issues. Case Study
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Best of VMworld 2010 Awards: Hardware for virtualization
The Best of VMworld 2010 Awards recognized the best hardware for virtualization product on the VMworld 2010 floor. Slideshow
- 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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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
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New virtual data center design decisions with Hyper-V 3.0
IT pros are presented with new virtual data center design options, thanks to new feature in Hyper-V 3.0. So which architecture will you choose? Tip
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Boosting data center efficiency with converged infrastructure hardware
Converged infrastructure hardware can make an IT pro’s little easier. The robust management capabilities alone can boost data center efficiency. Tip
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PowerShell v3 in Hyper-V 3.0: New fun for command-line junkies
Deep in the weeds of the impending Hyper-V 3.0 release is PowerShell v3, which offers new management features for command-line junkies. Tip
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Death to white box servers: Why converged infrastructure is superior
Converged infrastructure can be a powerful weapon in your arsenal to quell the virtualization performance bottlenecks caused by white box servers. Tip
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Mitigating the risk of a second virtualization hypervisor installation
Introducing a second virtualization hypervisor into a data center can create management and capability issues. With proper planning and testing, you can overcome these challenges. Tip
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Should your IT shop consider multiple server virtualization platforms?
More and more IT shops are implementing multiple server virtualization platforms to increase interoperability and abstraction as well as lower costs. Tip
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Server virtualization predictions for 2012
It’s that time of the year. Our advisory board members offer their server virtualization predictions for 2012. (Hint: They mention cloud computing.) Tip
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Home labs for virtualization: Easier than ever to build
Having a home lab helps IT pros sharpen their virtualization skills. Now, more than ever, building a home lab is within reach. Tip
- See More: Tips on Server hardware and virtualization
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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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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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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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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
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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
-
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
-
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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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
-
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
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New virtual data center design decisions with Hyper-V 3.0
IT pros are presented with new virtual data center design options, thanks to new feature in Hyper-V 3.0. So which architecture will you choose? Tip
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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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Boosting data center efficiency with converged infrastructure hardware
Converged infrastructure hardware can make an IT pro’s little easier. The robust management capabilities alone can boost data center efficiency. 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.