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What are the Benefits of Virtualization?

C. Martin
C. Martin

In computing, the benefits of virtualization are usually primarily cost savings. For many companies, the largest benefit of server virtualization, which allows multiple operating systems to be installed on a single server, is in reducing the amount of hardware that is required to run all the software needed by the business. Consolidating servers using a virtualization process not only provides savings in terms of how many physical machines must be bought and maintained, but also potentially reduces the amount of physical space that a company needs for its servers or data center.

Since computer virtualization allows a variety of operating systems and software configuration settings to be used on a single machine, application virtualization provides a much more flexible way for companies to run applications. Without virtualization, for example, a company might need to bear the cost of running five separate servers with different operating systems, or different configurations in order to run all of the applications needed for the operation of business. The flexibility benefits of virtualization mean that all those operating systems and applications could potentially be run on a single piece of hardware. As such, efficiently using hardware is one of the biggest benefits of virtualization.

Server virtualization can reduce the need for a company to maintain a server room.
Server virtualization can reduce the need for a company to maintain a server room.

Virtualization support can enable companies to easily and cheaply outsource all, or most, of their computing requirements. A third party provider may run systems for several different companies on a single server, while keeping the applications securely separated from each other. This has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of outsourcing a variety of computing services. Using a virtualization solution to outsource computing needs can remove the requirement for a company to have the cost of maintaining a dedicated server room.

Virtualization tools allow software testers to quickly and easily set up and maintain testing environments.
Virtualization tools allow software testers to quickly and easily set up and maintain testing environments.

Another area of computing that can reap large benefits from virtualization is product testing. The testing part of a computing project is often a high overhead endeavor that requires relatively expensive resources, and a lot of time. Virtualization tools allow software testers to quickly and easily set up and maintain testing environments, and to rapidly restore testing environments to their original state when required.

Client virtualization leverages an organization's network to reduce the number of physical desktop computers required to accommodate all of the company's users.
Client virtualization leverages an organization's network to reduce the number of physical desktop computers required to accommodate all of the company's users.

Ease of application deployment is another of the benefits of virtualization. Computing projects are often resource intensive in terms of deployment. Virtualization allows for the easy creation of base computing environments, and largely removes issues of hardware compatibility. This can save costs and time in rolling out new or changed computing systems and applications.

Discussion Comments

anon324428

Virtualization is more beneficial rather than having more physical computers which taking up space and using costly power.

SteamLouis

@ddljohn-- Good point about the name! It's called virtualization because it creates additional virtual servers- more servers to work with without the actual physical machines.

ysmina

@ddljohn-- You're right in that virtualization appears to benefit only those having to maintain tens or hundreds of servers at first. Keep in mind that most servers run much below their capacity and virtualization resolves that issue by combining more than one server for efficiency. One could virtualize their computers at home, if let's say, they want to have a backup of their system somewhere else. What virtualization can do is that it will establish points of recovery in your system, so if something goes wrong and your desktop breaks down or you lose valuable information, you still have something to work with. This can prove to be useful particularly for people who work from home and maintain storage devices. They can do storage virtualization to back up those systems.

ddljohn

I see the advantages of virtualization for companies and offices, but are there benefits of individual desktop virtualization? I mean, would I want to virtualize my two desktops at home? Also, why is it called virtualization and not consolidation? I don't really understand where the name comes from.

turquoise

The reason that our company decided to go with virtualization was because we had completely used up our power capacity and the system would not be able to bear even one more server. We would have had to virtualize in the future anyway to cut down on storage space needed for servers. Instead of upgrading our entire electrical system, it made sense to go for virtualization and benefit from its additional advantages which was the monetary and physical cost of more servers for us.

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    • Server virtualization can reduce the need for a company to maintain a server room.
      By: Leo Lintang
      Server virtualization can reduce the need for a company to maintain a server room.
    • Virtualization tools allow software testers to quickly and easily set up and maintain testing environments.
      By: silver-john
      Virtualization tools allow software testers to quickly and easily set up and maintain testing environments.
    • Client virtualization leverages an organization's network to reduce the number of physical desktop computers required to accommodate all of the company's users.
      By: opolja
      Client virtualization leverages an organization's network to reduce the number of physical desktop computers required to accommodate all of the company's users.