Virtualisation

Pretty much everyone recognizes the value of server virtualisation today. It’s fast becoming the de facto standard. So if you see value in server virtualisation, have you ever thought how virtualisation could apply across the rest of your infrastructure? And have you thought about the operational implications of moving to a virtual infrastructure?

We don’t just deploy server virtualisation technologies. We think that taking a holistic view of virtualisation pays dividends. And holistic for us means looking at:

Networks – what new demands will virtualisation make on your networks?
Servers – what can you virtualise, what will the architecture look like, how do you define standard processes for server provisioning, how do you manage it?
Storage – what is the total utilisation of your storage infrastructure, can I you consolidate all of your storage into one shared platform and how do you manage it?
File systems – are you storing data on the most appropriate device, how do you maximise utilisation for file servers and filers, how do you migrate data with minimum risk and without downtime?
Databases – can you create a single pooled database resource and how do you manage “Data as a Service”?
Desktops – will virtual desktops provide benefits, could you use them strategically or tactically?
Applications – is your current method of deploying applications optimal, could you save money and time by virtualising some or all applications?

Our expertise across all the above areas means we can make sense of the virtual infrastructure world and drive business value.

See how we helped one of our customers achieve a server consolidation ratio of 30 to 1 by clicking here.

New to virtualisation and want to know more?

Is it time to go virtual? Most businesses want a more flexible and lower cost approach to delivering their IT. Virtualisation is one way of achieving this. We’ll help you take a look at the real benefits behind the industry’s popular “V” buzzword.

As a general definition, virtualisation refers to “abstracting”, or “masking”, a physical resource to make it appear different logically than it is physically. All forms of virtualisation share two common characteristics: firstly, by abstracting the physical resource, they enable the resource to be pooled and shared. Secondly, they create a management layer or control point for the virtualised resource.

What does this mean for IT? Virtualisation technologies can increase resource utilisation, availability and productivity. They also assist with consolidation projects, which can reduce costs for IT resources and infrastructure (in terms of cooling and power). By freeing up the tight link between application and infrastructure, they can make your IT more flexible.

Server virtualisation: One machine. One application. One workload. That’s not an efficient model for the use of your resources. Virtualisation reduces the number of servers in your data centre, and ensures those that remain are better utilised and managed. So you’re saving more than floorspace: you’re cutting complexity, operational costs and admin time. At 2e2, we work with leading enabling virtualisation software, such as VMware. This allows multiple virtual machines to run side by side on the same physical machine.

Application virtualisation: Breaks the age-old bond between physical hardware, operating system, and the program which runs on top of them! Bespoke software products consolidate application platforms into more manageable environments for a wealth of benefits, including: faster delivery of higher quality applications, lower total cost of software ownership, increased system reliability and better performance.

Storage virtualisation: Gathers physical storage resources into a unified pool that can be used by applications, desktop clients, or other types of storage clients. Managed from a central console, this helps reduce many of the tedious aspects of managing storage devices as you perform backup, archiving and recovery tasks more easily, and in less time.

In short, a virtual infrastructure puts power where you want, and gives you what you want – instantly. It’s time to let go of the physical. Let us demonstrate the value of technology that’s fast becoming the strategic foundation of tomorrow’s IT.