Businesses periodically need to upgrade telecom services to stay up to date with new technology. These days virtualization is a growing trend that reflects the need for more efficient technology that empowers businesses to cut capital expenses (CapEX) and operational expenses (OpEX).
Multiple Virtual Servers
While small businesses can commonly get by with just one server, larger companies run more smoothly by building a system on multiple robust virtual servers. This infrastructure allows an enterprise to run more business-critical applications on a centralized network.
In this case, the CPU of each server needs to be powerful enough to take on additional tasks in case another server goes down. This strategy allows for business continuity with access to the network, applications, email, and web properties.
Under this model, separate servers allow applications and email to occupy their own servers, which creates stronger security layers. It also simplifies management of applications, since it facilitates IT support to fix one component without affecting other applications on the network.
Issues to Consider for Separate Servers
The biggest challenge to overcome when using separate servers for unique functions is that it can create plenty of unused capacity on each node. With most SMBs using only 45% of server capacity, according to the Aberdeen Group, it’s important to address the issue of wasted server space.
Another problem becomes office space, since the more servers an operation has, the more physical space it needs. Servers also generate heat and need to remain cool. Thus extra power is needed for this system design, which means higher energy bills. Furthermore, multiple servers require additional security and a more complex disaster recovery plan, adding more costs.
Why Virtualization Is a Better Alternative
The reason virtual solutions resolve redundancy and unused server space problems is that one physical server replaces multiple virtual machines through innovative software called a hypervisor. This system allows each virtual machine to play the role of a physical server while handling a unique task.
Ultimately, it’s a more efficient concept that doesn’t leave excessive server space unused while still allowing for reserve capacity. Whether the enterprise buys or rents the equipment, it can help cut a variety of expenses. It also gives IT personnel less hardware to worry about for maintenance and more time to handle mission-critical tasks.
SMB Statistics
Based on a recent study by Techaisle, the following are recent statistics that indicate how SMBs weigh virtualization versus traditional infrastructure strategies:
- 72% say virtualization is important to business
- 60% claim successful virtualization efforts, while 38% achieve partial success
- 56% say virtualization is more difficult to understand than business intelligence or big data
- 2% report complete failure due to budget overruns, insufficient project resources, and lack of deployment and management expertise
Off-site Virtual Servers
The steady escalation of SMBs moving toward off-site servers to colocation data centers points to a significant trend. Under managed services agreements, the business maintains ownership of servers, even though they’re located at a provider’s facility. The added benefit of this arrangement is that the business is protected by the third party’s expertise in security, heating, cooling, continuous backups on multiple servers, and around the clock monitoring.
Conclusion
The concept of virtualization has now been embraced by 70% of SMBs. Furthermore, IT experts say infrastructures have the potential to someday be completely virtualized for any type of hardware or software. The result is a boost in performance and cost savings.