Virtualisation is an important and growing trend, and many UK organisations are now incorporating virtual solutions within their IT infrastructures. So what exactly is virtualisation and what benefits could it offer you?
Virtualisation means running software within a virtual environment. Virtual environments are created when Operating Systems (OS’s) and desktop applications are emulated, and don’t run directly on the physical hardware. When server software is virtualised, you can run several server applications and server Operating Systems (OS’s) on one physical server – increasing utilisation and reducing the need for more power
consuming hardware.
We are experts in virtualisation so we are perfectly placed to help you create a more agile infrastructure that will reduce the total cost of IT ownership and minimise downtime.
Hardware Virtualisation
Hardware Virtualisation uses software to create a Virtual Machine (VM) that emulates a physical server.
This creates a separate Operating System (OS) environment that is logically isolated from the host server.
By providing multiple VMs at once, this approach allows several OS’s to run simultaneously on a single
physical server.
Rather than paying for many under-utilised server machines, each dedicated to a specific workload, server virtualisation allows those workloads to be consolidated onto a smaller number of more fully utilised machines.
THE BENEFITS - Consolidates multiple, under-utilised physical servers onto a physical host server running virtualisation software - often running at a ratio of 10:1, the savings in minimising hardware spend are enormous.
- Reduces the need for costly server room space, increasing productivity and reducing IT costs per square foot.
- Helps save money through easier systems management, and less kilowatt hours are needed.
- Through virtualising an organisation is able to increase the availability of their virtual servers by ensuring in the event of a virtual server malfunction, that server can be migrated to another virtual server in realtime transparently to keep users productive – eliminating downtime and loss of profits.
Desktop Virtualisation
Lanway delivers desktop virtualisation offerings for a wide range of situations - from always connected workers to those requiring more flexibility i.e. mobile workers. For connected workers, Lanway and its partners, including VMware and Citrix, deliver a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution that allows organisations to centrally manage desktops in the datacenter, while providing a personalised desktop experience for end users.
THE BENEFITS - Leveraging the software you already own, you can create business solutions for the challenges you face.
- Eliminating the need for powerful desktops at the user end, reduces the cost associated with maintenance
- Virtualising the desktop infrastructure reduces management time at the user end, management and control of devices and applications are all managed centrally enabling IT management to spend time of real business issues.
- If you own Windows Server 2008, you own the ability to virtualise.