What is Server Virtualization and How Can It Benefit You?

Server virtualization involves the partitioning of a physical server into smaller virtual servers in order to better utilize server resources. Server virtualization takes server operations, applications, and files and hosts them on virtual networks, allowing for better utilization of the physical hardware.

Server virtualization software allows Admins to take one physical server and convert it into multiple unique virtual machines, each running its own operating system that can be managed independently. This creates complexity that backup services for MSPs are designed to address.

Why Server Virtualization?

With server virtualization, your company will be able to reduce its operating costs, eliminate server complexity, increase application performance, increase server utilization, reduce power and cooling costs, and more.

In most companies, physical servers are underutilized, resulting in expensive hardware just sitting idle as the workloads are distributed to only some of the network servers. According to the research findings of Uptime Institute, 30% of servers go unused.

Server Lifespan

The general rule of thumb for server lifespan is 3-5 years. Now with virtualization, you can get more virtual servers into one physical server. This also makes it easier to replicate the virtual servers to a secondary physical server when it comes time to switch out servers for maintenance or upgrades.

Through the use of virtualization software, you are able to essentially split up a physical server using partitions into multiple virtual servers, each with its own operating system and applications. 

While Server virtualization has many benefits, the sheer cost savings found by reducing the number of physical servers needed to support your company's workloads make server virtualization worth looking into. 

When an older server reaches the end of its lifespan, you may want to consider virtualization. Whether that means taking one server offline and then utilizing your remaining physical resources to their fullest potential, or implementing virtualization on a new, more robust server, there are cost savings to be reaped moving forward. 

Possibly the biggest advantages come from reduced costs and simpler backup capabilities, enabling you to be prepared for anything. Find out more about what virtualization terms you should familiarize yourself with before utilizing server virtualization.