There is an unsaid demand for powerful network machines that can host files and provide platforms to applications to run. With enhancement of modern computer hardware, there are Central Processing Units (CPUs) that come with multiple processors which facilitate intricate calculations/tasks completion with much ease and demand lesser physical space as well as power to function.

Many of the tasks and applications are dedicated to a single machine by network administrators because they don’t play with each other and need their own machine to perform. In a nutshell, one application per server also makes it easier to troubleshoot any problems and rectify. However, using one machine per application is not advisable and feasible because of simultaneous consumption of cost, space and power. It also involves consumption and expansion of complex network connections all over. Besides this, the application doesn’t take advantage of the processing power because only a small percentage of the machine’s capability/processing power is utilised. To add to that, the heat produced by machines would be tremendous and would require additional management costs.

Above stated problems can be overcome with the concept of virtualization. Using specifically designed software, one physical server can be converted into multiple virtual servers. These virtual servers behave like a unique physical device which can be even restarted separately when desired. They are capable of running their own operating systems and manage their share of storage as well. This also ensures better usability of processing power of the machine.

Virtualization can be conceived by an organization at three different levels--full virtualization, para-virtualization and OS-level virtualization. Full virtualization uses specific software called hypervisor or Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) that interacts directly with the processor and hard drive of the physical server or host. Serving as podium for VM’s Operating System, a hypervisor keeps the virtual servers or guests independent and secluded from other guests on the host. This makes it possible to have different OS on different guests, even Windows and Linux.

A full virtualization scenario has the disadvantage of additional processing consumption by hypervisors to prevent any communication between guests/VMs. This is overcome in case of a para-virtualization technique where the hypervisor doesn’t need as much processing power to manage. In this situation, each OS is conscious of demands of other operating systems on the physical server. The whole system works as an interconnected unit. Unlike full or para virtualization, OS-level virtualization requires all ‘guests’ to use the same operating system and is also called a homogeneous environment. This is because virtualization is a functionality provided by the OS itself and this situation doesn’t need any hypervisor.

Changing faces and fast adoption: Virtualization is not limited to servers. It could be virtual storage or network virtualization. With shrinking budgets due to recession, consolidation and virtualization are topping the priority chart of IT organizations. The keyword is to get the maximum out of what we have. There are numerous benefits that can be harnessed from virtualization as it is being fast adopted by top IT companies. The question now is to change from ‘if’ to ‘how’.

Forrester predicted a heated market for hypervisors from different vendors in 2008. Early 2010 observed a substantial increase in the percentage of organizations that are adopting server virtualization. According to a survey conducted by CDW LLC, provider of technology products and services, around 90% of medium segment IT companies have implemented virtualization at some level.

Bright future of virtualization: Several surveys conducted by Forrester reveal that with reduced budget for IT expenditure, more and more middle segment IT firms are expected to adopt virtualization to satisfy their needs. Benefits and up to the mark utilization of available resources are other strong factors that ensure easy adaptability of the concept throughout the industry. This will also help the adapting party to save costs related to space, hardware maintenance, storage maintenance and power supply. It’s the fastest way to go green because virtualization reduces heat discharge and lowers need for cooling components.

To add to this is Moore's Law that has been residing in the IT world since ages. This law calls out how the computing power of microprocessors endures to double every 18 months. But the technology storing and processing data hasn't kept pace. This resulted in idle hardware. That is what virtualization aims to reduce while ensuring multiplying growth every year in this ever-changing IT world.

Virtualization TCO: Virtualization is the biggest buzzword in the IT world and it is fast turning to be a must-have technology for companies. But it doesn’t come cheap. VMWare, a major virtualization seller covering 85% of large enterprise market has a range of software package from $995 to $5750 for dual processor servers. Nevertheless, if the virtualization is used well, it is something that pays off well and companies are happy to go ahead with this new concept to make full use of available resources.

Well said by someone, you only have limited resources and 24 hours a day to use them. New IT objective is, let’s multiply usage of available resources if we cannot increase 24 hours per person!