Server Virtualization: Benefits and Advantages

In case you are a system administrator in an organization where employees work separately from the same server, the cheapest and most convenient way of managing this is through the creation of private servers. This process is known as server virtualization.

What Is Server Virtualization?

Server virtualization can be described as the process of taking physical servers through the help of virtualization software and partitioning it into several virtual parts. Each copy of the virtual server is then able to operate on a different operating system.

Virtualization technology has been around for some time now. It has greatly revolutionized the world of server computing in different ways including applications, data storage, cloud computing, and desktop virtualization.

Many companies love the idea of server virtualization because of its efficiency and ability to cut costs. When a single server is virtually divided into several parts, the company doesn’t need to invest in other servers within the same organization.

According to Joe Oesterling, Chief Technology Officer at Liquid Web, “the entire hosting infrastructure is taken care of, including hardware and the cloud platform itself so you can focus on your VMs and applications.”

Besides, server virtualization is perfect for companies that are moving away from the brick-and-mortar model of operation. This is because they can connect several users virtually using just one server. Most organizations prefer VMware hosted on Liquid Web for seamless operations.

Types of Server Virtualization

There are basically three types of server virtualization. They include the following:

• Virtual machine model: This type of server virtualization operates on a guest or host paradigm. The model uses a certain kind of software known as a hypervisor. It allows system administrators to create accounts with different operating systems.
• Paravirtual machine (PVM): It is almost the same as the virtual machine model and also operates on a host or guest paradigm. But the main difference is it can run on multiple devices.
• OS-level: This server virtualization system doesn’t operate on a guest/host paradigm. All users have to use a similar operating system as the administrator.

Advantages of Server Virtualization

As mentioned before, there are many reasons why organizations choose to use virtualization technology. Here are some of the main advantages

1. It saves money

When one physical server is divided into more than one virtual machine, a business is able to use several operating systems. This means you don’t need to spend a lot of money buying many servers when you can just use one.

1. Reduces energy consumption

When you have few physical servers on-site, it means your energy consumption is also going to reduce. This is particularly important considering the push for green IT.

1. It saves space

Having many physical servers will definitely consume a lot of space in your office. But with virtualization, you only need one or two.

1. It creates an independent working environment

Another advantage of server virtualization is that it creates a private working environment. Administrators and other users are able to work on their projects without interruptions.

Bottom line

Server virtualization has a lot of benefits to businesses and organizations. It helps in solving a host of issues that cannot be handled by physical servers. Virtualization also saves you money and space besides offering a private working environment.