Server virtualization and the use of virtual machines is profoundly changing data center dynamics.
Most organizations are struggling with the cost and complexity of hosting multiple physical servers
in their data centers. The expansion of the data center, a result of both scale-out server
architectures and traditional "one application, one server" sprawl, has created problems in
housing, powering, and cooling large numbers of underutilized servers. In addition, IT
organizations continue to deal with the traditional cost and operational challenges of matching
server resources to organizational needs that seem fickle and ever changing.
Virtual machines can significantly mitigate many of these challenges by enabling multiple
application and operating system environments to be hosted on a single physical server while
maintaining complete isolation between the guest operating systems and their respective
applications. Hence, server virtualization facilitates server consolidation by enabling organizations
to exchange a number of underutilized servers for a single highly utilized server running multiple
virtual machines.
By consolidating multiple physical servers, organizations can gain several benefits:
+ Underutilized servers can be retired or redeployed.
+ Rack space can be reclaimed.
+ Power and cooling loads can be reduced.
+ New virtual servers can be rapidly deployed.
+ CapEx (higher utilization means fewer servers need to be purchased) and OpEx (few servers
means a simpler environment and lower maintenance costs) can be reduced.
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