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Virtualization's dirty little secrets |
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Tom Kaneshige
April 28, 2008
San Francisco - Everyone knows that server virtualization shaves hardware clutter in the datacenter, boosts workloads, brings disaster recovery flexibility, slashes costs and basically saves the planet from nasty carbon emissions. But here's the dirty little secret: Many pitfalls await server virtualization adopters, and a stumble can ruin all your virtual dreams.
The sheer number of potential missteps has Doug Dineley, executive editor of the InfoWorld Test Center, shaking his head. "Virtualization offers irresistible benefits, and also the opportunity to drown."
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David M. Lynch
April 24, 2008
Anyone who has experienced server sprawl knows how expensive it is in terms of resources. But when it comes to the virtual world there is another aspect that must be considered -- security.
Many organizations treat virtual servers similar to how they treat physical servers, and while they have a lot in common, there are some significant and risk-inducing differences.
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Building and managing a VM library |
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Anil Desai
March 31, 2008
The problem with creating virtual machines (VMs) is that there's no problem. In some ways, it's too easy to create, move, copy and track VMs, which poses a problem: As a result, many organizations have discovered that managing VM deployments requires significant planning. One solution is to create a VM library, a collection of IT-approved, certified, ready-to-go templates for new VMs.
Of course, best practice recommendations from an ivory tower are often difficult to implement in the real world. In this tip, I'll focus on creating a VM library and how it can help alleviate some of the pains of virtualization management by using Microsoft's System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM).
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How virtualization impacts IT staff, security and change management |
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By Cameron Sturdevant
February 12, 2008
There is little doubt that virtualization can offer tangible benefits, such as finally making it possible to do more with less. But adopting server virtualization technology isn't all roses for an IT organization. In this tip, I spell out why server virtualization creates three specific challenges: breaking down IT department fiefdoms; possible increases in security vulnerabilities; and greater complexity in change management.
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How to Tame Virtualization Sprawl |
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By Cameron Sturdevant
February 12, 2008
The benefits of virtualization are eroded when virtual machines go unchecked. VM sprawl—the creation of VMs without regard for ongoing utilization monitoring, desired-state configuration management, or an automated process for correlating VM and physical host performance characteristics—can be remediated in a cost-effective manner if IT managers get the balance right between ease of VM creation and management oversight.
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Virtual Software Appliances: Why They Could End Deployment Hell |
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 By Laurianne McLaughlin
January 8, 2008
Will the way you buy and deploy enterprise software change again? Analysts say yes, and it's thanks to virtualization technology. We're not talking about software-as-a-service (SaaS). Many enterprises still don't like SaaS, but now there's an up-and-coming alternative, virtualized software appliances, that deserves attention. Here's why it might not be long before you buy software pre-packaged in a virtual machine.
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Virtualization in the Enterprise Survey: Your Virtualized State in 2008 |
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By Laurianne McLaughlin
January 2, 2008 You're knee-deep in virtualization, and you love the ROI that you've seen so far. But you're also grappling with tough technical and political challenges posed by today's hottest technology, according to CIO's first survey on virtualization. The top challenges? Read more» |
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Virtual Machine Sprawl Will Challenge IT Management Skills |
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 By Charles Babcock, Information Week,
December 19, 2007
Controlling virtual machine "sprawl" is a problem that's beginning to be addressed by tools like startup Embotics' V-Commander. Read more» |
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Comparing Virtualization Approaches |
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 By Anil Desai, VirtualStrategy Magazine,
December 19, 2007
Server virtualization technology has become so commonplace in most IT environments that it’s tempting to use it as a cure-all for all that ails IT. Consider it the magic snake oil of the data center. The truth, however, is that virtualization technology should be considered an IT tool like any other. Just as you wouldn’t use clustering for all of your enterprise applications, you shouldn’t always run first to virtualization. In this article, I’ll present information about various approaches to virtualization and how you can determine the most appropriate option for each of your workloads.
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Security concerns cloud virtualization deployments |
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 By Denise Dubie, Network World,
November 21, 2007
IT managers worry the intangible boundaries in virtual environments might not keep out the bad guys Read more» |
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Benchmarking How Well You Manage Virtualization |
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By Laurianne McLaughlin
November 20, 2007 Are you running a superior virtualization effort? You're going to need the measurements to prove it. A recent study by IDC examines metrics that IT leaders can use to benchmark how well they're managing virtualization. Read more» |
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Virtualization ready to heat up in 2008s |
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 By James M. Connolly
November 20, 2007 Virtualization may well be the hottest trend in enterprise IT in 2008. Learn which markets and technologies will benefit most from virtualization in the new year.
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How to Find and Fix 10 Real Security Threats on Your Virtual Servers |
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By Laurianne McLaughlin
Novermber 14, 2007
VM Sprawl. Hypervisor holes. Rogue virtual machines. Network traffic gone bad. What are the biggest virtualization security risks now and how can you combat them? It's time to separate fact from fiction and get down to work. Read more» |
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What does it take to manage virtual servers? |
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By Denise Dubie, Network World
November 01, 2007
Virtualization demands IT managers take a closer look at management processes, tools Read more» |
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What does it take to manage virtual servers? |
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 By David F. Carr
October 26, 2007
Consolidation adds flexibility in provisioning and allocating resources, but experts warn of virtual server sprawl. Read more» |
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Interview: IDC Research on the Growth of Virtualization |
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By Charlie Leffingwell
October 15, 2007 The transcript of a podcast interview with IDC’s Stephen Elliot, originally posted on August 17, 2007. Read more» |
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