Virtualization Strategies for the CIO
Email Alerts
-
The next generation of virtual servers
Virtualization is driving the choices that data center managers are making when it comes to hardware, software and systems management. Drill down into TechTarget's survey results to learn more about the latest data center trends. Also in this month's... E-Zine
-
Configuration management keeps control
The proliferation of virtual machines has dramatically expanded the concept of configuration management in today's data centers. Stephen J. Bigelow sizes up the latest configuration management tools for you in Volume 12 of Virtual Data Center. Also i... E-Zine
-
Developing a virtual machine placement plan
In Vol. 9 of Virtual Data Center, learn how to become more assertive with your virtual machine placement. Nelson Ruest and Danielle Ruest make the case that a good VM placement plan can increase the workload density of servers. Bridget Botelho compar... E-Zine
-
How much do you really know about Hyper-V 3.0 features?
The allure of new Hyper-V 3.0 features might have you itching to upgrade. Before you begin a potentially costly project, put your knowledge to the test. Quiz
-
Private cloud deployment made easy
To ensure a smooth private cloud deployment, it's vital that you learn the best practices and how to apply virtualization techniques in a new way. guide
-
Pop quiz: Virtual appliances
Virtual appliances are a popular way to deploy applications. So how much do you know about this vital virtualization technology? Quiz
-
The complete buyer's guide for virtual infrastructure tools
Searching for the right virtual infrastructure tools can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack, unless you're using our buyer's guide. Tutorial
-
Virtualization problems: When good deployments go bad
So you've rolled out virtualization and things are going smoothly. Think you're in the clear? Not so fast. Virtualization problems can strike at any time, and for many reasons. Guide
-
Command line basics for open source virtualization management
To effectively manage an open source virtualization environment, you must learn the command line basics. Commands and scripts can streamline your efforts. Learning Guide
-
A command line tutorial for server virtualization management
Do yourself a favor, and learn how to execute commands from a prompt. This command line tutorial will help you simplify and speed up certain aspect of your job. Learning Guide
-
Managing Hyper-V from the command line prompt
Administering a Hyper-V environment through the command line prompt saves time and reduces mistakes. These resources demonstrate how to run commands and cmdlets in Hyper-V. Learning Guide
-
Virtual machine migration FAQ: Live migration, P2V and more
Virtual machine migration offers many benefits, but it can be complicated. Luckily, several tools can help you migrate a virtual machine and address security concerns. FAQ
-
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4
In this section, we cover how to set up KVM VMs in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 environment -- including setting up KVM hosts, creating KVM VMs and managing VMs in RHEL 5.4. Learning Guide
- See More: Essential Knowledge on Virtual machine provisioning and configuration
-
Admins have mixed feelings toward new virtual storage techniques
As new virtual storage techniques and hypervisors with improved storage capabilities hit the market, reaction among admins has been mixed. Feature | 30 Oct 2012
-
Why virtualization admins and desktop hypervisors should be BFFs
For time-crunched server virtualization admins, desktop hypervisors offer an ideal environment for troubleshooting, configuring and distributing VMs. Column | 20 Aug 2012
-
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. Column | 02 Jul 2012
-
Quest vRanger, VKernel customers weigh in on potential Dell takeover
Quest’s virtualization management customers say there’s room for improvement by a larger-scale company, but aren’t sure whether Dell would be the best fit. News | 27 Jun 2012
-
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
-
VMware shops grapple with VM stall
Users report that ongoing VM stall in vSphere environments mainly arises from interoperability glitches with underlying infrastructure and finger-pointing among vendors. News | 02 Mar 2011
-
Closing the VM sprawl floodgates
VM sprawl is the result of irresponsible server provisioning, so you need to implement stringent resource-allocation policies. Column | 18 Nov 2010
-
Prepping for IT services? Virtualize and centralize resources
Before even considering IT as a Service, you have to lay some groundwork. Virtualizing everything and centralizing resources are key, but is your infrastructure ready? Article | 28 Oct 2010
-
Enterprises face integration hurdles to private clouds
Enterprises that want to offer IT as a Service face challenges that include virtualization stall, bleeding-edge infrastructure automation tools and thorny policy orchestration problems. Article | 28 Oct 2010
-
Users prefer third-party management tools over VMware management
While VMware tries to boil the ocean with its vCenter suite, IT managers often still turn to third parties for virtualization management. Article | 27 Aug 2010
- See More: News on Virtual machine provisioning and configuration
-
Mapping out an error-proof storage migration process
Identifying hardware needs and creating a logical plan can help you avoid common gaffes many administrators make during a storage migration. Tip
-
Configuring and provisioning production-ready SMB 3.0 storage
Yes, SMB 3.0 can go beyond test environments. But before you can take SMB 3.0 storage into production, there are a few things you need to tackle. Tip
-
Using LXC to create virtual containers in SUSE Enterprise Linux
Creating virtual containers with LXC may trump hypervisor-based virtualization -- especially if you want to run multiple instances of the same OS. Tip
-
Multi-hypervisor automation with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
The free Microsoft Deployment Toolkit automates OS deployments across multiple hypervisor platforms, saving IT pros countless hours and headaches. Tip
-
Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V soothes VM import process
The VM import process has always been a pain point for Hyper-V. But in Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V, Microsoft offers a remedy. Tip
-
Moving to the cloud: Tips for mature virtual data centers
Many IT shops have their sights on moving to the cloud. With a virtual infrastructure in place, you’re well on your way, after a few additions. Tip
-
Getting to know VHDX: The new Hyper-V virtual hard disk format
The VHDX format in Windows Server 2012 has the decisive edge over the legacy VHD format in almost every respect, including performance and capacity. Tip
-
Adding virtual hosts to the RHEV-M: Quick and easy
Before you get going with Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization, you need to add the virtual hosts to the RHEV-M console. A simple but important step. Tip
-
Hyper-V 3.0 virtual RAM: Massive memory allocation has its faults
Hyper-V 3.0 supports VMs with up to 1 TB of virtual RAM. But memory allocation is a delicate process, and deploying massive VMs can create problems. Tip
-
Streamlining multi-hypervisor management with ease
Multi-hypervisor management doesn’t have to be rocket science. With the right tools, it’s so easy, a caveman could do it. Tip
- See More: Tips on Virtual machine provisioning and configuration
-
Ask the expert: When to use thin provisioning
Thin provisioning is an important part of your data center. Our expert explains how it can add flexibility and storage space to an infrastructure. Answer
-
What will the future hold for multi-hypervisor management?
Multi-hypervisor management sounds great, but the tools lack critical features. Our advisory board members discuss this market’s future and potential. Answer
-
What’s your most terrifying virtualization management story?
We asked our advisory board to share their most terrifying virtualization management tales. Their stories may scare you … into another career. Answer
-
Automating VHD recognition in Microsoft Virtual Server 2005
A reader asks why his guest OS does not recognize a new VHD on his network, and whether or not there's a script that can force the guest OS to recognize the VHD automatically. Ask the Expert
-
Virtual machine hosts as domain controllers?
Should a host server be used as a domain controller? Ron Oglesby offers his thoughts in this expert response. Ask the Expert
-
Help with the VI3 SDK
Learn how to shut down and power on guest virtual machines outside of VirtualCenter with the VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3) SDK. Ask the Expert
-
Managing multiple virtualization solutions
Trying to manage multiple virtualization solutions concurrently? Expert Anil Desai suggests some tools that will help in this expert response. Ask the Expert
-
Virtual Server configurations
Not sure how to set up you Microsoft Virtual Server virtual machines for the best use? Get Serdar Yegulalp's advice in this expert response. Ask the Expert
-
VMware memory overcommit
Memory overcommit is the memory allocation feature for Vmware. Definition
-
virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is the practice of hosting a desktop operating system within a virtual machine (VM) running on a centralized server. Definition
-
VSMP (virtual symmetric multiprocessing)
VSMP (virtual symmetric multiprocessing) is a method of SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) in which two or more virtual processors are mapped inside a single virtual machine or partition... (Continued) Definition
-
Ask the expert: When to use thin provisioning
Thin provisioning is an important part of your data center. Our expert explains how it can add flexibility and storage space to an infrastructure. Answer
-
Admins have mixed feelings toward new virtual storage techniques
As new virtual storage techniques and hypervisors with improved storage capabilities hit the market, reaction among admins has been mixed. Feature
-
Mapping out an error-proof storage migration process
Identifying hardware needs and creating a logical plan can help you avoid common gaffes many administrators make during a storage migration. Tip
-
How much do you really know about Hyper-V 3.0 features?
The allure of new Hyper-V 3.0 features might have you itching to upgrade. Before you begin a potentially costly project, put your knowledge to the test. Quiz
-
Configuring and provisioning production-ready SMB 3.0 storage
Yes, SMB 3.0 can go beyond test environments. But before you can take SMB 3.0 storage into production, there are a few things you need to tackle. Tip
-
Using LXC to create virtual containers in SUSE Enterprise Linux
Creating virtual containers with LXC may trump hypervisor-based virtualization -- especially if you want to run multiple instances of the same OS. Tip
-
Why virtualization admins and desktop hypervisors should be BFFs
For time-crunched server virtualization admins, desktop hypervisors offer an ideal environment for troubleshooting, configuring and distributing VMs. Column
-
Multi-hypervisor automation with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
The free Microsoft Deployment Toolkit automates OS deployments across multiple hypervisor platforms, saving IT pros countless hours and headaches. Tip
-
Private cloud deployment made easy
To ensure a smooth private cloud deployment, it's vital that you learn the best practices and how to apply virtualization techniques in a new way. guide
-
Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V soothes VM import process
The VM import process has always been a pain point for Hyper-V. But in Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V, Microsoft offers a remedy. Tip
- See More: All on Virtual machine provisioning and configuration
About Virtual machine provisioning and configuration
As a server virtualization administrator, one of your chief goals is finding ways to ease the administrative and management burdens of your virtualized server environment. How you provision virtual servers and configure virtual machines (VMs) is a critical piece of streamlining those management challenges, especially as your virtualized environment grows. In this section, we offer advice, case studies and step-by-step tutorials on efficient, rapid provisioning and configuration software for VMs; automated tools to provision, configure, and load-balance virtual machines; using PowerShell scripts to power on VMs, how to use templates to provision and manage VMs; and we coach you on how to compare provisioning and configuration tools from various virtualization providers.