Server virtualisation
Server virtualisation is a technology that allows the running of
multiple independent virtual operating systems on the one physical
hardware platform. The key benefits this has over traditional
single-server single-platform model are reduced hardware costs,
greater utilisation of hardware resources and lower power and
cooling requirements, which makes it better for the
environment.
The key technology used within most server virtualisation
products is the hypervisor, which is software that sits between the
physical hardware (such as an HP or IBM server) and the operating
system (such as Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Red Hat Linux
Server). The hypervisor presents the hardware to each (virtual)
guest operating system and controls resource access to allow
multiple guests to run on each physical host. By way of comparison,
in a traditional single-server single-platform model the operating
system sits directly on top of the hardware.
Features and benefits
A typical server may operate at say 30% utilisation, which means
that 70% of its available resources are unused. Server
virtualisation improves utilisation by allowing additional virtual
servers to be run on the one physical host, thereby using
previously untapped but available resources.
Since it's possible to run more than one server on each physical
host, we can reduce the number of servers deployed, which means
lower power consumption (reduced hardware power requirements as
well as cooling requirements), reduced emissions due to lower
manufacturing need, and reduced disposal problems at the end of the
lifecycle. And it means less money spent on hardware and hardware
warranties.
How we deliver
Kiandra is a certified VMware Enterprise Partner and can help
design, implement and maintain a server virtualisation solution
specific to your needs. Server virtualisation products such as
VMware Virtual Infrastructure and the Hyper-V technologies found in
the Microsoft Server 2008 products mean you can do more with less
and reduce your impact on the environment.
Experience and certifications
Kiandra's staff are VMware certified - which means we have both
the skills and the experience to design, implement, maintain and
support your virtualised environment. Many of our clients implement
our virtualised solutions, and we practice what we preach -
Kiandra's core and test infrastructures utilise VMware ESX Server
running on HP and Dell servers. Four hardware hosts run an
impressive 29 virtual guest servers including Microsoft and Linux
operating systems and these provide the backend for all core and
testing/development platforms.