Companies around the globe are relying on a central location called a data center to house, manage and use network operations for their entire operations. Racks of network servers holding data and applications are accessed through computer CPUs to process orders, engage in customer service and develop reports for the business. As the business expands, it can outgrow its existing data center. The company has to either expand the data center to house more equipment or decide to switch to a software-defined data center, also known as a virtual data center.
How Virtual Data Centers Work
If a business cannot add more servers to run applications, then they can use the servers that are available to create multiple virtual server computers running their own operating systems and applications. To accomplish this, specialized software is used called a hypervisor to make the physical server into a host. It uses the server’s CPU to develop an operating system platform for the virtual servers that are guests on the host server. Each of the guest servers runs independently on its own operating system. This technique is often called full virtualization.
Another method to create a virtual data center is called an OS-level virtualization. Instead of using hypervisor software to create a platform with different operating systems, the physical server becomes virtualized. Each of the virtual servers runs the same operating system although the virtual servers operate independently of each other.
Should You Consider A Virtual Data Center For Operations?
Having a virtual data center can allow companies with limited physical space to expand their networks systems without purchasing additional equipment. Yet there are other reasons why a company may decide to rely on a virtual data center.
Prevent an interruption in service
When a company is running an application that is vital to the operations of the business, and something happens to stop that application, it can cost the company a large amount of profits in downtime. A virtual data center can be used to run the same application on several servers. If one server fails, the other virtual servers running the same application can be used as a backup. This method can only work if the virtual servers are hosted on a physical server other than the one running the initial application.
New application testing
Running and testing new software can affect other applications if the new software is run on the same server. By testing the software on a virtual server, this lessens the risk of the new software negatively impacting all the other applications if there is a problem.
Understand The Limits Of Virtual Data Centers
While there are many benefits to virtual data centers, there are also several limitations that can affect your business operations. Creating numerous virtual servers on a single host server will use up a large amount of CPU power, slowing down the operating systems and limiting the amount of data storage available. Applications that use a large amount of processing power will take hours to complete a task that would normally take only a few minutes.
In addition, migration of the virtual server from one physical computer to another is limited to the type of processor being used. The two major processors, Intel and AMD, are not compatible with each other. So if your virtual server is operating on an AMD physical host server and you wish to migrate the virtual server to a physical server running Intel, it is not possible to do so.
Sources:
- http://www.techopedia.com/definition/26815/virtual-private-data-center-vpdc
- http://searchdatacenter.techtarget.com/definition/data-center
- http://www.serverwatch.com/server-trends/the-software-defined-data-center-emerges-slowly-1.html
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/server-virtualization.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_center
- http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/community/features/interviews/blog/inside-the-virtual-data-center/?cs=32215
About The Author
Katrina Matthews is a tech expert and product specialist for RackSolutions, manufacturer of custom racking solutions for businesses! She likes giving data center tips and advice on our blog.
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Photo credit: The feature image “Data Center” was done by Bob Mical.
