Virtualization

5 Keys to Success

1. Implementation

Choose server hardware that has memory, storage, and networking capacity to support running multiple virtual instances of various applications.  Check that your storage is sized for the needs of the multiple virtual machines, while having the throughput and read/write capacity to support multiple concurrent host access requests.  Your storage platform should allow for easy growth when your virtual environment expands.

2. Management

Virtual environments require the same performance and resource utilization monitoring as physical hardware.  Choose an integrated solution that allows management of both physical and virtual assets.  This solution should be capable of automating common management chores, such as the deployment of a virtual machine or reallocating physical and virtual resources.  Additionally, the management solution must offer a way to monitor activities and resource utilization, send alerts when thesholds are crossed, and allow for manual or automated responses to take the required actions.

3. Application Performance

If you plan to virtualize large databases with high I/O requirements, select virtualization software that can handle large VM's and allows administrators to account for these potential conflicts plus integrated tools to monitor ongoing system performance, so they can meet an organization's desire performance levels.

4. Virtual Machine Sprawl

One of the great benefits of virtualization is that it lets IT departments quickly create a VM to test an application or help develop a new application.  Abandoned or unused VMs can pose a security risk and the proliferation of VMs can generate an inefficient use of IT resources.  Make sure your virtualization software allows you to monitor and expire unused virtual machines and return the resources to the pool for future use.

5. Security

Virtual servers are prone to the same attacks that plague physical servers.  If a virtualization management solution does not provide insight into the state of the various VMs, they may be forgotten or bypassed when critical application patches are released.  It Departments require a virtualization solution that helps manage the virtual resources so they may be monitored and patched in a timely manner in order to properly protect data.

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