A Smart Path to Virtualization

feature section: Virtualization and FlexiblE Computing
A SMART PATH TO
VIRTUALIZATIONAs server virtualization continues to transform the data center, enterprises have some critical decisions to make. How will they migrate to a fully virtualized environment? How should the IT infrastructure be configured for maximum business benefit? Dell is partnering with other industry leaders to build a flexible, industry-standard approach that helps simplify the transition.
8 DELL POWER SOLUTIONS | November 2008 Reprinted from Dell Power Solutions, November 2008. Copyright © 2008 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.Related Categories:Citrix XenServer Microsoft Hyper-VDell PowerEdge servers Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Desktop virtualization VirtualizationFlexible computing VMwareBy Jeanne Feldkamp HypervisorsDeb McDonaldKay Kerr Visit DELL.COM/PowerSolutions for the complete related category index.Tom Kolnowski
ecent strides in server virtualization and emerging Charting a smart path to virtualizationhypervisor alternatives are changing the rules of Dell helps enterprises plan the transition with offerings that are engagement for enterprise IT departments. The way grounded in industry standards. By providing standards-based, RIT managers plan data centers, how and when purchase deci- virtualization-optimized platforms and integrating tightly with sions are made, and-perhaps most importantly-the opportuni- key virtualization enablers such as the Microsoft Hyper-V, Tties for IT departments to further business goals are evolving. VMware® ESX, and Citrix® XenServer platforms, the Dell Today, combining policy-driven automation with a virtualized approach helps organizations simplify virtualization deploy-environment can enable advanced functionality, including ments without limiting their options. In addition, Dell offers a dynamic provisioning and workload balancing, high availability, comprehensive range of management tools and services for and disaster recovery. And with each of these innovations, pre- virtualized systems.vious levels of functionality become mainstream and accessible Dell servers and storage are designed for optimal virtualiza-Teven to small environments. tion performance and simplified management. Dell PowerEdge Meanwhile, the rapid progression of virtualization technology servers support optimum performance with efficient power con-has left enterprise IT managers with more alternatives to evaluate sumption, enhanced memory and I/O capability, and a broad than ever, particularly now that Microsoft is weighing in with an range of form factors, hypervisors, and I/O fabrics. Dell also enterprise-class hypervisor-the Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 provides simple, capable, and cost-effective storage offerings THyper-V platform-for the first time. Organizations that do not designed to leverage existing IT infrastructures and expand approach server virtualization with a clear plan risk developing a automatically-helping meet a broad range of needs with the T Tchaotic, inflexible infrastructure that wastes energy and resources. Dell PowerVault , Dell EqualLogic , and Dell/EMC families.However, with appropriate planning, enterprises can leverage A variety of powerful Dell management tools for virtualized virtualization to enhance agility and service, simplify IT manage- systems can help administrators proactively manage assets, ment, and empower staff to focus on strategic priorities while enhance efficiency, maximize resources, and reduce total cost conserving energy and resources. of ownership (TCO). To help avoid the complexity of using At the same time that server virtualization has gone main- multiple management consoles to administer the IT environ-stream, desktop virtualization has become a viable option for ment, Dell products offer support for a range of leading man-many organizations. Desktop virtualization technologies enable agement tools, including Microsoft System Center Virtual Tthe Dell Flexible Computing Solutions suite of products and Machine Manager (SCVMM) 2008, VMware VirtualCenter, Citrix Tservices, which combines centralized control with rich client XenCenter , and Symantec® Management Suite software. functionality, performance, and mobility. The flexible computing Additional Dell offerings are designed to ... [download for more]