Thinking through virtualization

IT execs and industry experts share advice on how best to approach server virtualization.

Over the past year, server virtualization has become a new data center technology du jour. Microsoft, competing head-on with VMware, has its Virtual Server 2005 (which will soon even support Linux). Meanwhile a host of start-ups are putting novel spins on the technology. For example, SWsoft offers a tool that creates multiple instances of an operating system from one installed operating system; Meiosys and Trigence virtualize applications; and Virtual Iron Software performs virtual symmetric multiprocessing.

Network executives can stay savvy by following these four suggestions:

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Over the past year, server virtualization has become a new data center technology du jour. Microsoft, competing head-on with VMware, has its Virtual Server 2005 (which will soon even support Linux). Meanwhile a host of start-ups are putting novel spins on the technology. For example, SWsoft offers a tool that creates multiple instances of an operating system from one installed operating system; Meiosys and Trigence virtualize applications; and Virtual Iron Software performs virtual symmetric multiprocessing.

Network executives can stay savvy by following these four suggestions:

1. Keep your eye on the prize . As with any IT project, the best way to begin with server virtualization is to have a clear idea of the goal.

"The key is to think about what benefit it provides or what the company is trying to achieve," says Scott Donahue, an analyst at Tier1 Research.

Be specific. Lofty results such as saving money or easing management headaches won't help you choose the proliferating server virtualization option that is right for you.

"When you understand what you're trying to do and what your deployment scenario looks like, then it's easier to start differentiating between VMware and SWsoft or Microsoft, or between Meiosys and Trigence," Donahue says. "But if you're just thinking, 'Well, I need to virtualize my environment, and I really like the idea of consolidation and cost savings,' it's going to be difficult. The different kinds of virtualization solutions are going to give you those high-level benefits. They're all designed to do that."

The trouble with being unclear about your ultimate goal is that you won't get fine-tuned benefits, Donahue says. "You'll get 40%, but you might not get that other 60%," he says.

"Do your due diligence," says Barry Lalone, server platform architect at Jack Henry & Associates, a technology provider for the financial industry.

Lalone reviewed a number of virtualization technologies, including VMware, Microsoft Virtual Server and User Mode Linux, before deciding SWsoft's Virtuozzo was the best fit for the Lenexa, Kan., service provider's Windows environment.

2. Start small . Once you've got a good grasp on your endgame, bring in the technology bit by bit.

When National Semiconductor decided to adopt VMware last year to boost abysmal utilization rates on its Windows servers, the IT staff took things slowly - despite being no stranger to virtualization. The company for years has carved up partitions on the mainframe. "We really saw this as a disruptive technology. . . . We learned that you have to characterize the environment upfront and take a phased approach," says Ulrich Seif, CIO of the Santa Clara company. "So look initially at the low-hanging fruit and take those applications that are occasionally used and roll them in first."

Application servers with a small user base or scheduled, predictable demand are good candidates, says Paul Mackey, National's Windows server architect. "Then work up the chain to more critical applications," Seif adds.