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Why Use Server Virtualisation?
There are many reasons companies and organizations are investing in server virtualisation. Some of the reasons are financially motivated, while others address technical concerns:
Server virtualisation conserves physical space through consolidation. It's common practice to dedicate each server to a single application. If several applications only use a small amount of processing power, the network administrator can consolidate several machines into one server running multiple virtual environments. For companies that have hundreds or thousands of servers, the need for physical space can decrease significantly.
Server virtualisation provides a way for companies to practice redundancy without purchasing additional hardware. Redundancy refers to running the same application on multiple servers. It's a safety measure; if a server fails for any reason, another server running the same application can take its place. This minimizes any interruption in service. It wouldn't make sense to build two virtual servers performing the same application on the same physical server. If the physical server were to crash, both virtual servers would also fail. In most cases, network administrators will create redundant virtual servers on different physical machines.
Virtual servers offer programmers isolated, independent systems in which they can test new applications or operating systems. Rather than buying a dedicated physical machine, the network administrator can create a virtual server on an existing machine. Because each virtual server is independent in relation to all the other servers, programmers can run software without worrying about affecting other applications.
Server hardware will eventually become obsolete, and switching from one system to another can be difficult. In order to continue offering the services provided by these outdated systems a network administrator could create a virtual version of the hardware on modern servers. From an application perspective, nothing has changed. The programs perform as if they were still running on the old hardware. This can give the company time to transition to new processes without worrying about hardware failures, particularly if the company that produced the legacy hardware no longer exists and can't fix broken equipment.
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