Microsoft: Grabbing the Virtualization Market

Group 2

Ashley Dean, Mistica Phillips, Janice Seacrest, and Clayton Williams

Key Words: Virtualization, server, application

Virtualization involves isolating and unbinding computing resources from one another. It should be applied to every layer of a computing stack. Virtualization software allows for your IT infrastructure to be more flexible, which enables you to run multiple operating systems on one server.

Virtualization is a system that allows businesses to consolidate multiple physical machines into one single machine. This software enables users to maximize hardware capabilities and allows multiple workloads to be operating on fewer servers. This software also allows for the businesses administrative productivity and responsiveness to be improved. Microsoft does extensive testing on their software, so their server consolidation system is well supported. Lastly, the simplicity of this software makes it very easy for anyone to run. To show how things are made easier we have listed some of the advantages to virtualization, by comparing it to static computing. Virtual presentation is ran separate form the machine instead of having to be tied to the location where the application is running. This helps show that applications can be installed on any computer at any point and time and also manipulated for any type of hardware. The storage of memory is no longer destined for one location but backed onto the network for easier accessibility. Although Microsoft just recently created its virtualization program, other companies have been working with this concept for a while. The leaders include VMware, Inc., Citrix Systems, Inc., and ECM Corporation.

There are numerous benefits to virtualization software. One of the benefits is the operational cost. By using a single server to run numerous applications you save a lot of money on software and memory because you are no longer required to put software on each individual computer. For example, UCA computer labs allow the main computer to access, watch and control other computers located within that server. Another example that we are all familiar with is the URSA system. It allows students and faculty to access information that is all located on the main UCA database.

Microsoft does urge users to be completely informed about what a Virtualization system is capable of. They have posted a list of questions to help you determine if making the switch to a Virtualization project is the right move for you. Listed below will be a few of these questions Microsoft has come up with.

· Do you posses the skills required to support virtualization?

· How will you security systems hold up to this change?

· What support is there available for your new system?

· Is your software capable of supporting this new network?

As we mentioned before, Virtualization software enables businesses to consolidate all of their servers onto one main database. This allows more efficient use of servers, operations, and memory. Again, it reduces operational cost and in turn, saves the company money. Virtualization software poses many advantages but before making potentially harmful decisions make yourself aware of the disadvantages as well.

References

"10 Questions to test your virtualization readiness." Network World. 2007. Network World. 16 Sep 2007 <http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/070307-test-virtualization-readiness.html?page=4>.

"Microsoft Virtualization." Microsoft. 2007. Microsoft Corporation. 16 Sep 2007 <http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualization/default.mspx>.

Multiple Choice

1.) Which company is involved in providing virtualization software?

A.) Windows

B.) Linuix

C.) Unix

D.) Microsoft

2.) Isolating and unbinding computing resources from one another describes what?

A.) Networking

B.) Virtualization

C.) Desktop Support

3.) Virtualization is a system that allows businesses to consolidate_______________ physical machines into ____________ machines.

A.) Multiple/Single

B.) Complex/Simple

C.) Simple/Complex

D.) Single/Multiple

4.) Which is a benefit of virtualization software?

A.) Operational Cost

B.) Variable Cost

C.) Everyone can use it

D.) Many companies already use it

5.) Virtualization software allows for your IT infrastructure to be more_________?

A.) Complex

B.) Simplistic

C.) Flexible

D.) Organized

6.) Which system allows students and faculty to access information that is all located on the main UCA database?

A.) URSA

B.) Echo

C.) WEBCT

D.) Bearmail

7.) The storage of memory is destined for how many locations?

A.) 1

B.) 2

C.) 3

D.) 4