Posted on: 19th of April, 2021
By: Leadtec User
If you’re looking to update your current Datacentre/server arrangement then virtualising your physical servers might just be the option you’ve been looking for.
So, what is virtualisation? Usually, companies use physical server hardware to house their company’s data and systems. Furthermore, they usually have lots of different servers that do different jobs. For example, some physical servers might contain a company’s website data and another might hold company shared files. Virtualisation is just the same. But instead of having physical server hardware, the hardware layer is converted and recreated as a virtual machine. This means that a company can have the same number of servers but running off a quarter or less of the amount of hardware.
Below we have come up with 6 reasons why virtualisation of physical servers is a fantastic option for your business.
1. Improves Performance
Virtualising your machines allows for them to balance resources across multiple physical machines. With the correct preparation and implementation, virtualised machines will run efficiently as each resource is given the correct amount of bandwidth to deal with its request. Furthermore, this means that your team of employees will all receive an equal amount of performance no matter which selection of data they are trying to access. Whether its local server information or public facing data.
2. Increases Reliability
Depending on how many virtual machines you want to create will also have a direct correlation with the number of physical servers you will need. However, usually, you will need a minimum of three physical machines for a good amount of reliability. Furthermore, with that said, virtual machines can jump from physical hosts manually and automatically. So, if one physical machine was to fail the remaining physical servers will take on the job of supporting the virtual servers until the other server is back online. Meaning there is never downtime on accessing files and applications, which means the company can keep working with little to no disruption.
Meaning there is never downtime on accessing files and applications, which means the company can keep working with little to no disruption.
3. Reduces Costs
With less hardware to purchase you instantly cut the cost of running your systems. Hardware is usually one of the most expensive assets when it comes to IT systems in your business and data centre. But as you’re virtualising servers onto fewer physical servers you will reduce IT costs drastically. With a respectable server starting at £2900, why purchase 5 when they could all be running from one with the same or even better performance?
In addition, because you’re using fewer servers you’re also reducing electricity bills. Not just from powering the server but also keeping your hardware cool. Servers release extraordinary amounts of waste heat energy, which needs to be cooled to function correctly. But because most of your servers are virtual it means less energy needs to be used to run and cool your hardware.
4. Hardware Flexibility
Servers come in all shapes and sizes made by lots of different manufacturers. So, if you’re looking to migrate/upgrade your server to a different make or model, you can. Virtual servers can be run on many different vendor’s hardware (there are exceptions), which allows breathing room for all budgets and situations.
Although the final goal should be to standardise your virtual environment for greater performance and reliability.
5. Environmentally Friendly
As you’re reducing the number of servers that need to be used, you’ll not only be reducing costs but also help the environment by reducing CO2, packaging and scrap when the servers are retired. Reducing your companies carbon footprint helps tomorrow’s world become greener which benefits future generations.
6. Easy Backups
Virtual machines can be backed up and recovered quicker and easier than physical machines, helping to improve business continuity solutions. Furthermore, virtual machines replicated elsewhere in a different location giving near-instantaneous failover if required. This provides increased security and drastically removes the effects of physical hardware failure.
Experience The Benefits For Yourself
To conclude, virtualisation is fantastic for several different reasons. Whether you want to improve the performance of your Datacentre/server arrangement, or you want to do your bit to help the environment or even save yourself money on unneeded hardware. Virtualisation is for you.
If you haven’t already started to harness the power of virtualization, why not plan your next server purchase to include virtualisation to see what it can achieve for your business? Then eventually you could benefit from bringing all of your business data and applications together with a single and easy to manage virtualised environment.