Virtual­ization

Effective IT-resource utilization

In a modern IT infrastructure virtualization of network components such as servers, storage media and even complete operation systems and application plays an important role. Virtualization describes processes in which a simulated level is added to the productive operating environment. Resources such as disks, applications, libraries and databases that are used in a company are no longer provided on an own physical server. Instead, an environment is simulated that offers more possibilities and advantages than separate isolated solutions on dedicated servers.

Advantages of virtualization

A main advantage of virtualization is the option of outsourcing IT-components into the cloud. There are many scenarios in which transferring data storage, computing capacity and virtualized processes to the cloud brings clear benefits for companies.

• Optimal utilization
  The consolidation of hardware resources and the integration and virtualization of several computers into one virtual machine quickly pays off, as hardware components are optimally utilized. Unused computing capacity is reduced to a minimum, which meets the needs of an environmentally friendly green-IT-concept.
  
  
• Reduction of purchase and operating costs
  Purchase and operating costs are clearly reduced, as fewer physical devices are needed.
  
  
• Easy expansion of storage space
  In addition, virtual servers are much easier to expand. Whereas an IT administrator used to have to install hard disk drives in a server in order to increase storage space, today users can easily book additional storage space with the cloud provider.
  
  
• Better control
  Furthermore, a virtual system promises better overall monitoring.Different disk systems are combined in one virtual storage medium, allowing IT departments to deploy simplified access control mechanisms. Failures are detected much faster and can be repaired in just a few steps, since hardware rarely has to be replaced.

Implementation of enterprise file-services and software applications

Even though the virtualization of network components is currently the center of attention in the course of digital transformation, virtualization has not only been used in the IT departments of large companies and cloud service providers for many years but has also long since reached the end user.

For example, it has long been possible to integrate virtual drives in the Windows operating system that are located on Enterprise File Services such as DRACOON.

With the help of VMware or VirtualBox whole operating system and server environments can be set up within a few minutes – for this purpose merely a preconfigured image with the operating system of your choice is integrated and is available immediately after startup.