Virtualisation
Virtualisation is an abstraction layer that decouples the physical hardware from the operating system to deliver greater IT resource utilisation and flexibility. It allows multiple virtual machines, with heterogeneous operating systems to run in isolation, side-by-side on the same physical machine. Each virtual machine has its own set of virtual hardware (e.g., RAM, CPU, NIC, etc.) upon which an operating system and applications are loaded. The operating system sees a consistent, normalised set of hardware regardless of the actual physical hardware components.
Common Customer Problems:
- Server Sprawl
An ever growing number of X86 servers contributing to an increase in data centre power and cooling costs. - Increasing Server Management Costs
More servers need additional personnel to manage and maintain. - Long Provisioning Time
Delays on vital new servers being delivered and commissioned. - Underutilised Resources
Running single operating systems with single applications on a modern server can result in just 5 - 10% utilisation of CPU and memory resources.
How a virtual environment can help:
- Contain server sprawl by running software applications in virtual machines on fewer enterprise-class servers.
- Capabilities allow IT organisations to organise, monitor, and configure the entire IT environment through a single interface resulting in lower operating costs.
- Simplify the provisioning of new virtual machines with wizard-driven processes and templates that enable instant deployment.
- Increase hardware utilisation and reduce hardware requirements with server consolidation ratios commonly exceeding ten virtual machines per physical processor.
Introduction to VMware
VMware was founded in 1998 to bring virtual machine technology to industry-standard computers. The launch of VMware Server in early 2006 saw the first free commercially available virtualisation products for new users. In June 2006 VMware Infrastructure 3 was introduced, the industry's first complete infrastructure virtualisation suite to deliver comprehensive virtualisation, management, resource optimization, application availability and operational automation capabilities in an integrated offering.
More than 4 million users and over 20,000 corporate customers use VMware software, including 99 of the Fortune 100 companies. Deploying VMware software to meet complex business challenges such as resource utilisation and availability, customers have realised significant benefits, including lower total cost of ownership, higher return on investment and improved service levels to their customers.
How ISC can help
ISC partner with the leading IT manufacturers and virtualisation is no exception. As a VMware VIP Enterprise partner we have access to the complete product portfolio and have ensured our internal sales team, technical consultants and support staff are trained to the highest levels.
Technical Capacity Planning
Moving to a virtual environment can be a daunting task for any company:
- Not sure your application will perform?
- Unsure of what physical to virtual consolidation ratio you can expect?
- Confused about the hardware specification you will need for the virtualised environment?
ISC and VMware offer a service which will interrogate your current physical server and gather an inventory of your servers, their workloads and utilisation.
We will then identify opportunities for consolidation, model consolidation scenarios and conduct a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis of up to 200 servers.
Next Steps...
Contact ISC today to arrange for one of the following:
- Additional information
- Telephone appointment
- Free of charge review by one of the experienced VMware team members
- Technical capacity planning exercise
