Server Virtualisation - Which technology is right for your business?

Author name

What is Server Virtualisation?

Server virtualisation is a way of using one physical computer to act like many computers. This is done with the help of special software called a hypervisor. The hypervisor lets many different "virtual" computers run on the same physical computer, each with its own operating system and applications.


This technology allows businesses to save money on hardware costs by running multiple virtual servers on a single physical server. It also makes it easier to manage and use resources more efficiently.


Virtual servers can be easily moved between physical servers or data centers, which makes it easier to scale up or down as needed. This technology also provides added security by keeping different applications and workloads isolated from each other.

What are the main Server Virtualisation technologies?

There are several major server virtualization technologies, including:


VMware: VMware is a proprietary virtualization platform that is widely used in enterprise environments. It offers a wide range of features, including support for multiple operating systems, live migration of virtual machines, and a robust management interface.


Microsoft Hyper-V: Hyper-V is a Microsoft-branded virtualization platform that is included with some versions of Windows Server. It has similar features to VMware and is often used in Windows-based environments.


Citrix XenServer: XenServer is a virtualization platform developed by Citrix. It is based on the open-source Xen hypervisor and is often used in large-scale environments for cloud computing and server consolidation.


KVM: KVM is a Linux-based virtualization platform that is built into the Linux kernel. It is open-source and is often used in smaller environments or as part of a larger virtualization strategy.


OpenVZ: OpenVZ is a container-based virtualization platform for Linux. It is less resource-intensive than traditional hypervisors, but also provides less isolation between virtual machines.


Which Server Virtualisation technology is best for you?

All of these virtualization technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements.


VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V are considered to be the most feature-rich and enterprise-ready, while KVM and OpenVZ are more lightweight and can be a better fit for smaller environments or those looking for a more cost-effective solution.


Want to discuss your options? Contact us using the details below.

Contact us on (0) 20 7 0399 266 /  info@stadiacg.co.uk  to find out more

The post Server Virtualisation - Which technology is right for your business? appeared first on SCG - Stadia Consulting Group.

20 Feb, 2024
We are proud to announce that we have achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification, the higher-level qualification of the Cyber Essentials scheme. This certification is a government-backed scheme that demonstrates our commitment to protecting our organisation and our clients from cyber threats.
12 Sep, 2023
Maybe. Migrating applications and infrastructure to the cloud offers several benefits that can positively impact organisations in various ways. Stadia has enjoyed bringing the benefits of cloud computing to many of our clients. It isn't necessarily for everyone, but if you haven't migrated some or all of your applications/infrastructure to the cloud, are you missing out? Let's take a look at the various aspects, starting with some of the key benefits: Cost Efficiency: Buying, maintaining, and refreshing your own hardware can be costly. Cloud computing often reduces capital expenditure on physical hardware and datacentres. You pay for resources as you use them, which can lead to cost savings, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Scalability: Cloud services allow for easy scaling of resources up or down based on demand. This elasticity ensures that your applications can handle sudden spikes in traffic or growth without the need for significant upfront investment in hardware. Automatic Updates: Keen to see the back of those out-of-hours patching rotas? Cloud providers handle hardware and software updates, including security patches and upgrades, reducing the maintenance burden on your IT staff. Flexibility and Agility: Cloud platforms provide a wide range of services and tools that enable rapid development and deployment of applications. This agility allows organisations to respond quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs. Global Reach: Cloud providers have datacentres in multiple regions worldwide. This global presence allows you to deploy applications closer to your users, reducing latency and improving performance for a global customer base. Security: Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures, often surpassing what individual organisations can achieve. They offer features like encryption, identity and access management, and compliance certifications to help protect your data and applications. Reliability and High Availability: Cloud providers offer robust service-level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee high uptime and availability. Redundancy and failover capabilities are built into their infrastructure to minimise downtime. Disaster Recovery: Cloud services make it easier to implement disaster recovery and backup solutions. You can replicate your data and applications across multiple regions or datacentres, ensuring business continuity in case of disasters. Collaboration and Mobility: Cloud-based applications and services can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This promotes remote work and collaboration among geographically dispersed teams.
Share by: