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.
Server virtualisation 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 server virtualisation at Kiandra
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.
Server virtualisation 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.