If you’ve been considering virtualization, you’ve likely read a lot of reasons why you should give the project the green light. But maybe you’ve read about some of the drawbacks or maybe you’re hesitating because a virtualization strategy seems too good to be true.
The truth is one of the biggest technology-related mistakes a business can make today is to not use virtualization. Virtualization offers numerous benefits for companies. It increases your uptime, it allows you to reduce your physical equipment, and it gives you more power over your business continuity. It’s absolutely something that should be used in your business – at least in some capacity.
But only if you do virtualization right.
When virtualization is done wrong, it can create serious problems, such as these three scenarios:
Single point-of-failures. If you have multiple servers on one box and that box fails, you lose the content, applications, and anything else on that server. By setting things up in this way, your business can come to a grinding halt all too easily. You can permanently lose data and find yourself faced with a high amount of downtime. Virtualization should not be designed in this way. Virtual servers should run on duplicate boxes simultaneously. In the event of an incident you will experience practically zero downtime.
Over-provisioning the hardware. Even though the modern server box is equipped to handle multiple servers, it’s possible to overload a server. When the server box is overloaded, it’s akin to putting too many programs on your PC at home. It starts to run slower, experience glitches and freeze. That’s why your IT person needs to be savvy enough to understand how virtualization works. Each server must be provisioned to allot for growth as each server stores an increasing number of files. If things are installed incorrectly, one folder of high resolution pictures can bog down the whole company.
Software licenses. Using software and operating systems on virtual servers, if not managed by an expert in virtualization, can create a situation where more software licenses are required than actual users. Not setting things up correctly creates a serious financial risk.
These kinds of cautionary tales are often used to steer companies away from virtualization altogether. But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. These are simply scenarios that can be avoided if you use a vendor that understands virtualization.
You don’t want to miss out on virtualization, but you have to make sure you get it right.
Considering if virtualization is going to work for your company? Contact Qoverage at 972-352-3091.