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What to Look For in Server Virtualization SoftwareCompare all | While the term "Virtualization" may sound like science fiction, it actually refers to the process of dividing a hardware server into multiple virtual servers. Virtual servers behave like actual servers, but they can better distribute resources. Their ability to share resources accounts for this higher level of productivity. In other words, various software programs cannot function together with a traditional server set-up. Yet virtualization enables these otherwise incompatible programs to share server real-estate. This process allows you to get the most out of your hardware, and thereby saves you or your business a significant amount of money. In order to achieve Virtualization, you must incorporate an abstraction layer between the two types of servers, or a hypervisor. Once implemented, you may handle a virtual server in the same way you a physical one. Below, we provided an image to illustrate the concept.
| How to Find Server Virtualization Software| Supported Guest Operating Systems |
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| Inside the virtual environment, hypervisors, or virtualization software programs, are compatible with certains types of operating systems. You may run applications that only operate within a specific system. | | License |
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| Licenses are either Open-Source (Free) or Proprietary (Purchased). Open-Source Virtualization Software permits you to access to the software's source code free of charge. Consider an Open-Source option if you possess in-depth knowledge in regard to virtualization. In contrast to Open-Source software, you must buy Proprietary Virtualization Software. However, this type of virtualization software contains a more intuitive user interface that shields you from the code.
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| Virtualization software fits with certain types of hardware, or architecture. The majority of software vendors supply a "Compatibility List." Make sure to select a virtualization software package that supports the hardware type of your servers. Note the "Bit" of your machines. | | Hardware Compatibility |
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| Your server and your virtualization software must be compatible in order to achieve virtualization. Take advantage of the services that VMS vendors offer: the majority of vendors supply tools to help you determine the compatibility of your hardware. | | Hypervisor Type |
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| Hypervisors either function with a server's host operating system or the host operating system itself. Type 1, or Bare Metal Hypervisors, live on the host server's hardware, where they serve as an abstraction layer between the host server and the virtual machines' guest operating systems. Furthermore, Bare-Metal Hypervisors perform better, since they are installed directly onto hardware. They can also support a higher number of virtual machines per physical CPUs.
Type 2, or Hosted Hypervisors, exist inside a traditional operating system on a host server, while the virtual machines (VMs) operate within the hypervisor.
Hosted Hypervisors are installed similar to applications, but they permit virtual machines to access all of the hardware resources that it detects.
| | Virtualization Type |
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You may accomplish virtualization in multiple ways. Each method involves a unique configuration of applications, hypervisors, and operating systems. With Full Virtualization, untailored operating systems, like Windows, each run on their own virtual servers, but share the same hardware server. This co-existence is made possible by a specific type of hypervisor, like the VMware ESX/ESXi.
Hardware Assisted Complete Virtualization leverages the power of the hardware’s processors. Guest operating systems run independent of one another. Furthermore, these hardware-assisted set-ups inspire a great deal of efficiency. If you’re looking for a hypervisor that has the potential to accomplish this type of infrastructure, consider the Citrix XenServer or the Microsoft Hyper-V.
Paravirtualization minimizes the energy that guest operating systems use for tasks that are specifically burdensome to their infrastructure. It alleviates the difficulties associated with a virtual environment by allowing each kernel to realize that it has been virtualized. In addition to the specific hypervisors mentioned above, the Oracle VM Server is another product that performs Paravirtualization.
Lastly, Operating System Virtualization links one server to one application. However, multiple user spaces called containers may live inside an individual operating system. Each container receives its own set of resources. Operating System Virtualization becomes a good strategy when finite resources have to be divided among many servers. Solaris Containers and Parallels Virtuozzo offer this type of virtualization. | | Management Features |
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VMS solutions may boast supplementary features that further the capabilities of the software. Hypervisors don’t manage virtual servers, but create them. Nevertheless, many hypervisors and VMS solutions possess features that manage the virtual infrastructure.
VM Migration (Virtual Machine Migration) allows for the displacement of virtual machines from one host server to another.
Virtual Firewalls supply the same services as a common firewall, like packet filtering.
Thin Provisioning conserves VM resources.
Power Management determine how hardware components deliver power, as well as allocate VM resources for load-balancing.
Performance Metrics watch the health of your system through the compilation of hard data like bandwidth, latency, and more.
Performance Reports summarize the virtual network's health for administrators.
Physical to Virtual Conversion replicates the configuration of an existing physical server, and replaces it with an identically set-up virtual machine.
Multiple Host Resource Pools combine all physical resources within the virtualized environment into a single pool .
Live Migration enables the move of virtual machine without powering down. With Live Migration, you may operate applications during infrastructure maintenance.
Failover is important for high availability. It automatically moves operations to a secondary VM or server upon failure of the first.
Dynamic Resource Allocation manages resources based upon performance metrics in order to accomplish the most efficient configuration.
Configuration Backup and Restore commits to memory a "snapshot" of a single VM, or the entire virtualized network, to provide a restore point in case of a future failed configuration.
Configuration Mapping defines the relationships of all virtual components to build a complete map of the environment.
Capacity Planning and Management watches capacity trends, predicts shortages, and alerts you of any issues.
Change Reports note changes within the environment.
Chargeback and Showback lets you see how different departments within your organization use IT resources. It then charges the groups for their resource consumption.
Asset Management monitors virtual machines as well as shared resource inventory, thereby letting you manage your IT assets.
Adaptive Analytics use historical trends to boost alarm accuracy.
Anti-Virus Add-ons maintain security.
Auto Discovery enables you to see when parts of the virtual infrastructure are connected to the network.
Automated Workflows allow you to establish a pre-determined response for re-occurring issues.
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Popular Questions & Answers for Server Virtualization Software | What to Avoid in Server Virtualization SoftwareDon't assume that virtualization, as cool as it sounds, doesn't come without drawbacks. System performance may decrease, so pay attention to any changes. Most Viewed Side-by-Sides for Server Virtualization Software- IBM PowerVM Standard vs Express vs Enterprise
- Parallels Server Bare Metal vs Workstation vs Virtuozzo Containers vs Server for Mac
- VMware vSphere Enterprise Acceleration Kit vs Oracle VirtualBox
- VMware vSphere ESXi vs Citrix XenServer Advanced Edition
- IBM PowerVM Express Edition vs IBM PowerVM Standard Edition
- Other popular side-by-sides
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