Data center virtualization – different solutions for different types of data centers
Virtualization is the latest technology that is revolutionizing IT, data centers and almost all computing operations. The wide range of virtualization solutions has created new opportunities for efficient IT operations that any company can access and afford. When it comes to data center virtualization, there are many services and procedures available to streamline some or all parts of data center management.
Almost any IT component or procedure can be made virtual. Data storage itself can be optimized using a virtual drive. Networks can be configured and managed with virtual partitions and connections to streamline communications and cabling. Applications and software can be distributed from a central server to end-user terminals. Even hardware can be made virtual by allocating centralized processing power on demand. Operating systems themselves can be made virtual, turning access terminals into full-fledged computers.
Virtualization and data storage
Optimizing data storage with virtualization solutions falls into two main methods. First, block virtualization allows distributed storage networks to appear as a single physical device. In this regard, data center virtualization will consist of information that is mapped to remote disks instead of local hard disks. This scheme creates individual virtual hard disks for each user that reside on a network drive but look and function like a typical hard disk. Data is then connected to a central source instead of various local disks, increasing data storage efficiency without sacrificing availability.
File virtualization solutions aim to provide flexibility for both users and networks. Typically, workers manipulate files directly, navigating to a specific drive to open, move, or rename files. Making this process virtual is done by users having access to a pointer to the required files. This results in the same functionality as before, but offers the ability to manage files on a device, move them, perform device maintenance or migrate to a new system, and you only need to update a global directory. These changes can occur behind the scenes without the need for each user to update the mapping on their devices.
Flexible virtual networks
Connecting networks of data centers that can easily handle new users while being reliable can be achieved through network virtualization. Each network can be divided into separate smaller networks, allowing a single Ethernet port to handle multiple virtual connections. These connections can be more easily managed to service hardware and transfer loads when a network device fails. This dynamic and robust setup helps ensure stable data center networks.
Virtual software and applications
Much of the cost savings for virtualization solutions can come from using virtualization software. A central server hosts all the necessary software and applications and then distributes them to the terminals when they are needed. Each user’s terminal provides the processing power and memory, but the installed files remain on the host computer. In this way, expensive, redundant application installations can be avoided and the increase in the number of terminals that need to run an application becomes turnkey.
Turning hardware into virtual
On the other hand, virtualization solutions can also take the form of virtual hardware. Instead of having each terminal as a full-fledged computer, complete with processor and memory, terminals can consist of a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. The required CPU power is set by an efficient, high-powered computer or server as needed. Each operation in the data center will be dynamically allocated CPU power, ensuring that computing resources are used efficiently without waste.
OS
Combining hardware, software, and operating system virtualization can create complete virtualization solutions. Data center access terminals, rather than being a complete computer, could instead be a set of input devices with all the necessary components distributed by a central, high-performance central server. Each terminal would use only the resources it needs without having to have special hardware and software, which are often redundant.
Operating system virtualization follows the same idea as remote application hosting. Instead of providing a software package, the operating system itself is provided to the end user. Each operating system is a standalone version of common operating systems.
Ultimately, full virtualization services can radically transform data centers. By eliminating hardware requirements and the associated capital investment and lead time, entire systems can be dynamically scaled to meet specific needs. IT implementation can be used to work efficiently without wasting resources. Overall, data center virtualization solutions make cost-effective, cutting-edge technology more readily available to businesses of any size in any industry.
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