Think Virtualization Center, Not Data Center

The impact virtualization has had in my own work over the last few years has completely changed the way I think about computing infrastructure. I also believe the same will be true of most the network in the next few years.

Instead of thinking about which machines are running which applications and how they are all physically interconnected, the thought process starts with a data center virtualization architecture. And, there's one rule: virtualize everything that can be virtualized. So don't build a data center, create a Virtualization Center.

If you aren't at the point where you can start out with that basic premise, consider all the smaller applications that have a small user base, don't require hefty amounts of processing, or have lighter user loads. Vertical and specialized applications are a good place to start. A tax package that is only used by a few users in finance or a collaboration system such as a wiki server would be good examples.

Thinking on a larger scale, a virtualization center would contain large servers and small that house multiple virtualized applications, some set up using quite involved networking and computing configurations. Now, rather than assigning an application to each server, those could be assigned to a virtual instance. Load balancing an, hot standby requirements could be performed through virtualization management software.

Testing labs cry out to be virtualized, right out to developer or QA staff's desktops in most cases. Set up and configuration can be scripted and automated, to create the server and network architecture needed to test software in any number of configurations and scenarios. The speed improvements are tremendous and I've seen big increases in productivity.

The Virtualization Center is much more than the traditional data center. It extends far beyond the physical walls of any computer room, and reaches as far out as the desktop of developers and QA staff.

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