VMware Consolidation Solutions

Implementing a server consolidation and containment solution with VMware virtual infrastructure software makes it possible to meet the challenges of server sprawl while building a better computing infrastructure that is ready to meet future computing needs.

VMware virtualisation technology makes it possible to package a complete x86 server—hardware, operating system, applications, and confi gurations—into a portable virtual machine package. Multiple virtual machines can then run simultaneously and independently on a single x86 server. This is possible because the virtualisation layer provided by VMware software provides each virtual machine a complete virtual hardware confi guration while managing the sharing of server resources among virtual machines.

VMware software uses this technology to provide a simple, proven solution for consolidating servers. Each workload that previously required a dedicated physical server can be placed in a virtual machine, making it simple to consolidate multiple workloads onto each physical server.

Unlike many consolidation solutions, a VMware solution provides the benefi ts of consolidation without requiring signifi cant changes to existing applications and confi gurations. A VMware solution also makes it possible to ensure that consolidated workloads have exactly the resources that they need because it provides the ability to adjust resource allocations for each virtual machine as needed and to move running virtual machines between x86 servers without downtime.

In addition to consolidating servers today, implementing VMware virtual infrastructure provides a solution to contain future server growth. Requests for new servers can be fulfi lled by provisioning virtual machines to existing physical servers with unutilised capacity rather than by purchasing new servers. This ability makes it possible to accurately forecast and strategically manage future growth in computing capacity.