Virtual Infrastructure Defined

Virtual infrastructure refers to the process of abstracting (separating) software from hardware, which enables a data center to operate with greater agility at a much lower cost. While most people think of virtual infrastructure as primarily relating to servers, it also applies to storage, backups, networks, and disaster recovery. All five of these core elements, in fact, are intertwined and codependent within a virtual infrastructure environment. Today, the increased practice of hosting virtual PCs within the data center is extending the function of virtual infrastructure to virtual clients as well.

Why Virtualize?

From our perspective, the more relevant question is, “Why wouldn’t you virtualize?”. Virtual infrastructure, in fact, is an extraordinarily compelling architecture. Besides the huge cost savings resulting from slashing the number of servers that require periodic upgrading, the following other benefits are typically realized as well:

• Enables consolidation of physical servers, slashing the costs of operating a data center. This includes reducing the costs of server upgrades, management, power, space, and storage.
• Reduction in data center space and in data center equipment such as PDUs, air conditioning units, etc.
• Reduction in the number of (power-hungry) network switches.
• Reduction in the number of HBAs and SAN switches.
• Provides true high-availability for all servers without requiring duplicate hardware and expensive clustering software.
• Integrates the test/development and production environments while significantly enhancing the test/development process.
• Facilitates true disaster recovery for all servers.
• Eliminates the need for maintenance windows for physical server troubleshooting or upgrades.
• Enables much faster server provisioning.
• Enhances security.
• Can actually improve server performance.
• Provides regulatory compliance benefits.
• Helps contribute toward reducing CO2 emissions and, therefore, global warming.