Save Space by Improving Server Virtualization Rates
Typical to most server virtualization projects, the purpose is gaining overall computer utilization via reducing physical server count. It is common for new and more powerful servers to be deployed as virtual hosts. Then, a comparatively small number of very safe workloads are virtualized. The result is that while server count is typically reduced, the computer utilization is not, since these new servers have significantly more power than the ones they replaced. While the capacity for more servers to join the cluster now exists, a new requirement is careful planning, since the next generation of workloads are more mission-critical.
With each additional physical server converted to virtual server, the savings begin to increase significantly. Cooling and power necessary is reduced, with the hard reduction in number of servers. Consequently, more servers can be managed by the current number of admins. Ensuring safe and predictable migrations remains the challenge.
To measure the current, stand-alone server environment, tools such as those from Tek-Tools can be utilized. At that point, the analysis can be compared and contrasted with the virtual environment to determine which systems can be prioritized and are best suited for virtualization. In fact, simulations can be run to predict the impact of adding a workload to the virtual environment.
Doing more in less space in server virtualization can lead to the powering down and disposal of servers. In turn, virtualization can enable a reduction of physical servers needed, and the capacity and power required for their usage. The more an organization leans on server vitualization, the greater the space savings becomes. Using tools that can accurately predict the result of this increased density and then continuously monitoring the environment for greater virtualization can be done safely.
These types of tools allow for greater virtual machine densities per virtual host while maintaining the right sense of balance for virtual machine migrations and disaster recovery.
The virtual environment can also be a potential storage waster. Often, virtual machines are created with templates. While templates are a valuable aspect of server virtualization, and enable rapid deployment of new servers, one should use caution. Allocated storage for these templates are usually set to a default number. Most administrators of virtual environments set a “safe” default size, in which a particular machine does not appear to waste much space. As rapid growth is typical in virtual environments, these environments never stay at just a handful of virtual machines. The result is cumulative waste, as each virtual machine with default size can lead to TBs of wasted disk space.
Recognizing the problem template deployment can cause, and identifying and optimally adjusting the virtual machines can ensure excellent space savings and all other benefits of reduced storage allocation.
Virtualization made safe and easy
Greater space utilization, either for the computer environment or the storage environment, leads to cost reduction from delayed purchases but also reductions in floor space, power and cooling. Almost instantaneous ROI is realistic with a proper data center management tool, as the typical cost of data center floor tile runs at approximately $10,000 per month.
