'Servers in cloud' is the way ahead
Desktop virtualization has a multiplier effect. Virtualization 3.0, is where software will be given as a service or a utility computing model.
By ET Bureau |
How do you differentiate between server virtualization and desktop virtualization?
Virtualization in an IT environment is essentially the isolation of one computing resource from another. It allows the user to separate different layers in the logic stack, and can enable greater flexibility and simplified change management. They no longer need to configure each element for them to all work together.
While desktop virtualization involves decoupling the different computing layers and storing some or all of them in a data centre, server virtualization creates a separate OS environment that is logically isolated from the host server. This allows greater density of resource usage.
Which enterprises should opt for both desktop and server virtualization?
Cost optimisation is an important requirement for most customers today. Customers want to achieve this through consolidation, resource optimisation, energy and space savings. Virtualization is one way of doing this, it���s a journey and not a point-in-time solution.
Customers need to have a strategy, partner with the right vendors, and look at virtualization solutions end-to-end with a strong single-console management solution for physical and virtual infrastructure. We believe most customers will go virtual to a certain extent over a period of time, as the returns are compelling.
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What percentage of enterprises have adopted for server and desktop virtualization globally? While only 4-5% of servers in the world are virtualized today. We firmly believe that this technology is here to stay. Analysts too have acknowledged the wide-scale requirement and opportunity that virtualization technology presents. In fact, Gartner recently termed virtualization as a ���revolutionary technology��� that will have the highest impact on IT infrastructure and operations till 2012.
Is there a market for desktop virtualization amongst regular internet users? How does it benefit them?
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is one of the many optimised desktop scenarios offered by Microsoft to help organizations optimise their IT infrastructure. This cost-effective offering provides enterprise IT with integrated management of physical, virtual and session-based desktops, centralisation of user data and improved application delivery.
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Virtual desktop infrastructure is best suited for contract and offshore workers, users who need access to corporate desktops and applications, and for users that work from home occasionally and whose primary desktop is covered by a corporate licence. What are the benefits for the IT manager? Are there business benefits as well?
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Virtualization is a technology that can help customers dramatically reduce their IT infrastructure costs and enables organisations to shave their IT costs through server consolidation, disaster recovery, re-hosting of legacy applications and software test and development.While the awareness levels on virtualization among SMBs is still at a nascent stage, going forward we do expect more SMB���s to embrace this technology. Additionally, virtualization is currently being acknowledged by the industry as the backbone of all green IT practices, enabling them to increase utilisation of resources and save costs.
What are the risks one should be aware of while opting for virtualization?
As most enterprises work across platforms and applications offered by different vendors, manageability of physical and virtual environments is a crucial element, which can be rather complex and difficult if not performed end-to-end.
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