The Network View » hardware

Data Center Virtualization – Different Solutions For Different Types of Data Centers

Tommy P. Landry — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:39:56 +0000

This week’s guest post comes to you from Steve Bulmer, CTO of Consonus. Consonus has a core competency in virtualized solutions, and that’s exactly the topic he is covering off for you today.

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Virtualization is the latest technology to revolutionize IT, data centers, and nearly all computing operations. The wide range of virtualization solutions has created new opportunities for efficient information technology operations that any company can access and afford. When it comes to data center virtualization, there are many services and procedures available to streamline any or all parts of data center management.

Nearly any IT component or procedure can be made virtual. Data storage itself can be optimized with virtual drive utilization. Networks can be set up and managed with virtual partitions and connections to streamline communications and wiring. Applications and software can be distributed from a central server to end user terminals. Even hardware can be made virtual by parceling out centralized processing power on demand. Operating systems themselves can be made virtual, turning access terminals into full-fledged computers.

Virtualization and Data Storage

Optimizing data storage with virtualization solutions breaks down into two main methods. First, block virtualization enables distributed storage networks to appear to be a single physical device. Data center virtualization, in this respect, would consist of information that is mapped to remote drives instead of local hard drives. This scheme creates individual, virtual hard drives for each user that are all located on a network drive but appear to, and function as, a typical hard drive. Data is then connected with a central source instead of disparate local drives, increasing data storage efficiency without sacrificing accessibility.

File virtualization solutions are geared towards providing flexibility for both users and networks. Typically, workers manipulate files directly, navigating to a specific drive in order to open, move, or rename files. Making this process virtual occurs by having users access a pointer to necessary files. This results in the same functionality as before, but offers the ability to manage the files on a drive, move them, perform maintenance on the drive, or migrate to a new system and only have to update a global pointer. These changes can occur behind the scene without the need for each user to update their drive mappings.

Flexible Virtual Networks

Wiring data center networks that are capable of handling new users easily while being reliable can be achieved through network virtualization. Each network can be separated into individual smaller networks, enabling a single Ethernet port to handle multiple virtual connections. These connections can be more easily managed in order to service hardware and shift loads when a network device fails. This dynamic and robust setup helps to ensure stable data center networks.

Virtual Software and Applications

A large portion of virtualization solutions’ cost savings can come from using virtual software. A central server hosts all the necessary software and applications and then distributes them to terminals as they are needed. Each user’s terminal provides the processing power and memory, but the installed files remain on the host computer. In doing so, costly, redundant application installations can be avoided, and scaling up the number of terminals that need to run a given application becomes turnkey.

Making Hardware Virtual

On the other hand, virtualization solutions can take the form of virtual hardware as well. Instead of having each terminal as a fully-fledged computer, complete with processor and memory, terminals can consist of a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. The required processor power is assigned from an efficient, high power computer or server on an as-needed basis. Every data center operation would be dynamically allocated CPU power, ensuring that computing resources are used efficiently without waste.

Operating Systems

Combining hardware, software, and operating system virtualization can create comprehensive virtualization solutions. Data center access terminals, instead of being a complete computer, could instead be a set of input devices with all the required components being distributed from a central, high efficiency central server. Each terminal would only use the resources it needed without having to have dedicated hardware and software, which is often redundant.

Operating system virtualization follows the same idea as remote application hosting. Instead of providing a suite of software, the operating system itself is made available to an end user. Each operating system is a self-contained version of common OS’s.

Ultimately, full virtualization services can radically transform data centers. Be removing hardware requirements and the associated capital investment and lead time, entire systems can be dynamically scaled to meet specific needs. IT implementations can be leveraged for efficient operation without wasting resources. Overall, data center virtualization solutions make cost efficient, cutting edge technology more readily available to businesses of all sizes in any industry.

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Steve Bulmer is CTO and an author for Consonus, a solutions provider of data center virtualization. Consonus offers virtualization solutions tailor made to fit any business need.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Data Center Design and Revision; Do Your “Level” Best

Tommy P. Landry — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:54:29 +0000

Please enjoy this week’s guest post about designing and/or revising your data center structure, written by Scott McQuarrie of EZWatch Pro.

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When you are designing or revising your data center structure, there is a lot to consider. You must decide how much processing power and storage you need to begin with, and ensure that the solution’s scalability guarantees that you will never outgrow it. You will have the processing power, the storage area and the throughput that you need to get your work done, in the present and in the future, if you pay attention to the details up front.

Whether you do the work yourself or contract it out, there is a great deal of high-tech expertise involved. It is important that you stay current on the technology and the procedures, as they are constantly changing. Nothing stays the same except change, so be prepared to review your data center operations at least monthly.

Level 3: Concurrent Maintainability

According to The Uptime Institute, which developed the tiered classification approach to site infrastructure and established a common benchmarking standard, a Level 1 data center is susceptible to disruption from both planned and unplanned activity. This is because there is just a single path for power and cooling, without redundant components.

Level 2 facilities with redundant components are somewhat less susceptible to such disruptions, with their raised floors, UPS devices (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and generators. But there is still a single-wired distribution path throughout, meaning that maintenance of the critical power path and other parts of the site infrastructure will require a system shutdown.

Level 3 facilities allow planned site infrastructure activities without interrupting computer hardware operation; this is called concurrent maintainability. There must be enough capacity to simultaneously carry the load on one path while testing or repairing the other. In this way, preventive maintenance, component repair/replacement and system tests can be performed without a service interruption. According to The Uptime Institute, Level 3 facilities provide upwards of 99.982% availability.

Constant Monitoring

A reputable vendor can ensure that your company’s unique needs are fully met with a uniquely customized and dedicated server environment. The best firms monitor their servers 24/7 and upgrade them as necessary to prevent over-utilization or over-loading. Full server administration is provided, at no additional charge, by many of these top firms, and most are not afraid to give you a “maximum uptime guarantee” – just ask for details and you will even get in writing.

There are no shortcuts and you cannot afford to compromise. There are any number of firms whose people, products and services are first-rate, and the industry (and its equipment) is in a constant state of development and improvement. There are many, many vendors that continue to push the technology envelope to serve you and your company better, faster, more cost-effectively and with guaranteed security.

A scalable solution, one that is constantly monitored and continuously refined, is the goal for your data center. Doing your due diligence up front so as to ensure the selection of a trusted, capable vendor is extremely important. Reviewing your situation on a regular basis is also crucial. Don’t ever sign on to anything you don’t understand, so if you need some high-tech advice, get it from a trusted source before beginning any negotiations with service companies.

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After founding his first security firm in 1990, Scott McQuarrie built several security-related companies into regional and national powerhouses over the ensuing years. Since 2000 he has focused his sales and marketing efforts on the Internet, which opened up a virtually unlimited, international market for his flagship product line, EZWatch Pro

The EZWatch Pro brand has come to stand for world-class expertise in electronic security, video surveillance and the myriad technologies involved in both fields. From small houses to gigantic international airports, there is an EZWatch Pro solution to meet any and every residential, business, commercial and government security challenge.

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Article Source: EzineArticles.com