Server virtualization and Cloud - look before you jump

There is so much hype of server virtualization and cloud computing these days. I, for one, would be a millionaire if I receive a penny for every single comment I heard about server virtualization and cloud computing. Yes, it's confusing for many, as we try to grasp what these 2 concepts are.

These 2 concepts are intertwined and server virtualization is the building block to cloud computing and cloud services.

Server virtualization has existed since the mainframe days with the concept of LPARs (logical partitions) where the system administrator can slice and dice the mainframe's computing resources (CPU, memory, network and disks) into distinct domains where each domain runs different versions of the supported operating systems supported by the mainframe.

Server virtualization on the x86 architecture platform isn't new either. VMware, back in 1999, already had x86 virtualization back then. I actually bought a copy of their software back then, without realizing the power I had in my hands ... but that's history.

Over the years, VMware has moved to into the actual bare-metal virtualization which later became known as hypervisor. That was significant and today, the VMware hypervisor has grown leaps and bounds to grow one of the hottest markets in the IT industry today - x86 server virtualization. And that also invited many other vendors into the x86 server virtualization bandwagon with the likes of Microsoft (with HyperV), Citrix (Xen Server) and RedHat KVM.

I am also one who admits that this technology is coolest technology I have seen so far in the past 2-3 years and it is easy to be distracted. Server virtualization is easy to deploy, reaps the benefits of server consolidation and green. However, it important not to lose sight of what the business and operations objectives are. "Look before you leap" is my motto here. It is extremely important to see things in the order of - PEOPLE, PROCESS and lastly TECHNOLOGY. Always remember whether server virtualization solves your business problems and requirements. If it does not, then don't jump.

When you are ready to make the jump, start small. Work with small projects such as deploying server virtualization in small development teams. As the server virtualization knowledge, skills and experience mature, then look into more advanced projects with a gradual and phased approach.

Another important to invest in server virtualization is to learn how the knowledge of calculating ROI. There is no doubt that server virtualization reduces costs in consolidation and also in power and cooling costs. However, it is also important to know about the intangibles that come with server virtualization. The hardware purchased will be of higher specifications and there are additional software costs as well. And it does not reduce the number of Microsoft Windows license too (dang!).

Then there are training costs, lost productivity costs while system administration skills mature and so much more. I cannot offer much advice in this area as we are also building some ROI mechanism to assist our customers.

Server virtualization is also the pre-cursor to cloud computing and cloud services. Today, many customers are bombarded with "as-a-Service" talks in the cloud. There are IaaS, PaaS, SaaS and much more. I can attest to that as we encountered the good, the bad and the ugly about understanding the Cloud. Once again, there are a lot of compelling reasons to move to the Cloud but as a customer, you must ask yourself, "Are Cloud Services really for me?"

I will offer more advice in future blogs but for now, LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!