Virtualization in data centers increases IT agility and creates a seamless foundation to manage cloud services and traditional on-premises infrastructure.
As data centers become fully virtualized, software-defined, and automated, organizations can access enterprise technology at a level traditionally available with expensive capital purchases.
According to a survey, we can expect double-digit growth in virtualization for desktops, networks, applications, and storage within the next two years.
This article will take a deeper look at data center virtualization and how it fits in with cloud computing.
What is Data Center Virtualization?
Traditionally, data centers are constructed with physical hardware. You may have (or still have!) a computer sitting in a closet that constantly runs and provides access to organization files and data. Data center virtualization designs, develops and deploys a data center with virtual and cloud computing technologies.
Data Center Virtualization in Cloud Computing
While virtualization and cloud computing have similarities, there are some key differences. Virtualization is a technology used to create multiple simulated environments, while a cloud environment is a shared, scalable space capable of distributing resources across a network.
On the other hand, cloud environments enable cloud computing, providing storage, infrastructure, resources, platforms, and applications to users on-demand across any network. Virtualization works with cloud environments to provide additional services.
Benefits of Data Center Virtualization
Since data center virtualization is similar to cloud computing, they share many of the same strategic benefits.
Scalability
Virtual servers are much simpler and quicker to set up than traditional physical servers. Virtualized data centers are a good option for companies and organizations with high growth levels.
Virtualized data centers also benefit companies that experience seasonal shifts in activity. Virtualization allows for adding memory, processing power, and storage at a lesser cost and faster than purchasing and installing new physical hardware.
In the same way, virtualization allows for scaling up; resources can also be scaled down to remove unnecessary resources (and costs).
Data Mobility
Virtualization allows for various operations, from everyday tasks to in-depth analytics, to be accessed when and where needed. Before, these activities could only happen at the server level — or one location. With work-from-anywhere setups and organizations opening branches in various places, virtualization offers easy access to resources.
In addition, virtualization makes the collaboration necessary for remote offices possible.
Cost Savings
This may have been evident in the section on scalability, but data center virtualization also offers cost savings. Physical servers require installation, management, and maintenance costs. Virtual servers provide a pay-as-you-go subscription so that companies can utilize the benefits of enterprise-level technology at a fraction of the price.
How Anteris Can Help
We've been working toward this for years. While other companies are just starting to think about virtualization regarding data centers, we've seen what is coming and built out our data center to meet the future needs of our Clients.
We can combine hardware to create greater resilience. We can do this in various ways, such as linking onsite servers to our data center or installing multiple servers on the same site so that if one fails, others are online. These solutions could easily cost up to $100,000, putting a significant strain on your bottom line. At Anteris, we've already made these investments—and more–allowing our Clients to access enterprise-level technology at a fraction of the cost.
That's the benefit of DCaaS: turning what would usually be a considerable capital expense into an operating expense.
If you're ready to talk about upgrading your IT setup or have more questions, we're here.
Let us make your technology freeing, not frustrating.
