This document discusses virtualization, defining it as using software to create virtual versions of computer resources like servers, storage, and operating systems. It provides advantages like increased efficiency through reduced hardware and real estate costs, portability of virtual machines, high availability of resources, and improved manageability through faster deployment. Potential downsides mentioned are increased management needs from rapid provisioning leading to more servers, and possible performance issues with storage, CPU, or security if not configured correctly.

1. Virtualization
What is it?
What is it good for?
What is it not so good for?

2. Server

A physical computer, usually with hardware
designed for high performance and availability.
Web Server
Email Server
Database Server

3. Operating System
Software platform upon which applications “run”
and which enables and controls access to
hardware.
Examples

Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8)

OS X

Linux

CP/M

4. Memory
CPU
Networking
Storage
Traditional Server
(Logical Representation)

5. Service
A program that allows clients (users or other
services) to do work.

Apache – serves web pages to clients

MySQL – stores data and answers queries

Sendmail – receives and delivers email

6. Virtualization Layer
(hypervisor)

Software that runs between physical server
(host) and virtual machines (guests).

7. Virtual Machine
(Virtual Server)
A computer (CPU, memory, networking, storage)
created and running entirely in software.

9. SAN
(Storage Area Network)
A pile of big, fast hard drives and a system to
share them across a very fast network.

11. Why Virtualize?

Efficiency – reduced costs
Hardware (servers, network infrastructure, storage, etc.)
Real estate (rack space)
Power and cooling

12. Typical Server Workload

13. Why Virtualize?

Efficiency – reduced costs

Portability

14. Why Virtualize?

Efficiency – reduced costs

Portability

Availability

16. Why Virtualize?

Efficiency – reduced costs

Portability

Availability

Manageability
Faster deployment

17. What dark side?

18. 
Server “sprawl”

Performance issues
Storage
CPU

Security