Use of Virtualization in the Organization Essay

Introduction

Information Technology is currently growing at a rapid rate in various sectors globally. One of the leading and most significant technology has been observed through virtualization. The term virtualization denotes to the formation of a virtual version of a network resource, storage device, server, or an operating system. Virtualization raises efficacy in a data center mainly by making sure that the modern servers operate in different applications and operating systems. For instance, operating system virtualization permits various applications and operating systems to operate on the same server concurrently (Babcock, 2006). On the other hand, network virtualization merges every available resource on a network via splitting up the existing bandwidth to channels that do not rely on each other. Additionally, these channels may be reassigned or assigned to a particular device or service in actual time. Furthermore, network virtualization resembles dividing a hard drive with intentions to manage files easily.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Conversely, storage virtualization accumulates physical storage derived from different network storage gadgets into that which seems to be a sole storage apparatus which is managed from a principal console. Storage area networks abbreviated typically uses storage virtualization. According to Yan (2011), server virtualization is defined as dividing physical server to various smaller servers while utilizing the software. Each virtual server may operate different requests for various operating systems simultaneously. Therefore, although virtualization tech has been in existence for many years, according to various scholars, it is prominent in the IT industry.

The main aim of this report is to make comparison and distinction on top three brands of virtualization software which are readily available in the IT industry. Additionally, each of their major advantages and disadvantages will also be examined. This section will be a basis within which recommendation on the appropriate virtualization software among the three brands will be made. The second section of this report will focus on the major pros and major cons which the organization of choice will enjoy or face by utilizing virtualization software. Ultimately, it will also provide belief supported by rationale on whether the selected virtualization software is appropriate for the chosen organization. Ultimately, a Microsoft Word table which defines the merits, demerits, computer necessities, and initial expenditures as well as future savings for a company in relation to engagement in virtualization.

Virtualization Software Brands

VMware vSphere 6

VMware vSphere 6 software utilizes virtualization which converts discrete data centers to aggregated computing infrastructure which comprises networking resources, storage, and CPU. It controls such infrastructures in the form of a unified functional environment. It also offers essential tools which are primarily used for administering data centers which are involved in that environment. Additionally, Marshall (2015) points out that the VMware vSphere 6 software includes an interface, management, and virtualization layers. It has two fundamental components. For instance, vCenter which is a software that enables one to control many hosts linked in a pool host and network resources. The ESXi is a VMware vSphere 6 software which enables one to develop and operate virtual appliances and machines. However, for the purpose of this report, much focus will be placed on the vSphere ESXi. It is a hypervisor takes the form of a bare-metal hypervisor which directly installs on the physical servers. While equipped with the dire control and access of the fundamental resources, it is more effectual compared to hosted architecture. It can also successfully partition hardware in an effort to raise the consolidation ratios as well as decrease expenditure for its customers (Marshall, 2015). It is easier to configure the VMware vSphere 6 since it only requires using DHCP that is a default server configuration. Where it does not provide the IP addresses on the network, one is required only to assign an IP Address. It is also easy to customize, alter network parameters, and setting the appropriate default gateway before confirming and saving the configuration.

Some of the significant features of the VMware vSphere ESXi is having a small footprint which is usually 150MB which enables users to perform more with less while at the same time decreasing some security issues which may occur to their hypervisor. It also has a reliable performance which allows it to house applications regardless of their magnitude. It also has enhanced security essential in protecting sensitive virtual machine data that has powerful encryption abilities (Galvin, 2009). Additionally, vSphere ESXi is had user-friendly experience which allows one to regulate daily administrative operations.

For the ESXi to operate efficiently on a host, it must meet at least some hardware requirements. For instance, ESXi needs a host machine that has a minimum of two computer cores and a 64-bit x86 processors which was launched September 2006. Additionally, it also requires RAID LUN with undivided storage space for the VMs, non-network, SCSI disk or a local, and Ethernet controllers. A physical RAM of at least 4GB has also required as well as hardware virtualization either AMD RVI or Intel VT-x which must be enabled on x64 CPUs.

The price alternatives for VMware vSphere 6 vary as shown in the table below.

• VMware vCenter Server Standard $995 Basic $1,049
• Production $1,249
• VMware vSphere with Operations Management Enterprise Plus $3,495 Basic $891
• Production $1,061
• VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus
• $4,245 Basic $734
• Production $874
• VMware vSphere Standard
• $4,995 Basic $273
• Production $323

Hyper-V 2012 R2

It is a Microsoft virtualization hypervisor or platform that allows users to utilize their hardware via virtualizing different operating systems which operate on a single server concurrently. Its essential components comprise of the virtualization WMI provider, Hyper-V Virtual machine controlling service, and Windows hypervisor as well as other elements, for instance, virtual infrastructure driver (VID), virtualization service provider (VSP), and virtual machine bus (VMEbus). Additionally, the Hyper-V 2012 R2 has some significant management tools. One of these tools comprises Hyper-V module and Hyper-V-specific camlets for Windows PowerShell which gives command-authority to every functionality present and absent in the GUI. A GUI-based management tool is also an essential management tool present in the form of Virtual Machine Connection, Microsoft Management Console abbreviated as MMC, and Hyper-V Manager. This tool gives accessibility to video output particularly for a virtual machine which is required for VM interaction.

It is easy to install and configure 2 Hyper-V 2012 R2. An operator is required to enable a Role which allows any Windows Admin a quick and easy installation of Hyper-V 2012 R2 in a PC. It also has some crucial aspects such as storage and live migration which ensures that no failover groups as well as no shared storage is needed (Goswami et al., 2014). It also has a dynamic memory which decreases the demand of memory by offering the storage which VMs required at any time. Additionally, almost every feature of Hyper-V 2012 R2 is offered at no expense. However, they do not have a local GUI. Hyper-V 2012 R2 also eradicates the requirement for SAN hardware through keeping VMs on a file server cluster also known as SMB3 file

The Hyper-V 2012 R2 does not need many hardware to ensure it operates effectively. These requirements include 32 GB hard drive storage, 512 MB RAM, 1.4Gz 64-bit processor which in turn should have some unique aspects. For instance, the processor should have a hardware-enforced Data Execution Prevention abbreviated as DEP present as well as enabled. Also, either AMD NX bit that lacks execute bit or Intel XD bit that has to execute disable bit should be enabled (Galvin, 2009). The processor should also have hardware-assisted virtualization. It encompasses a virtualization alternative particularly those processors which have an AMD virtualization or Intel VT also known as Intel Virtualization Technology.

The licensing and pricing alternatives for Windows Server 2012 R2 are presented in the table below.

• Foundation Server (15 User Limit) OEM only
• Essentials Server (25 User Limit) $501
• Standard Processor + CAL* $882
• Datacenter Processor + CAL*Citrix XenServer

Citrix XenServer

It is a value leader virtualization platform current present in the IT market. It is open-source software for desktop, server, and cloud infrastructure. Companies of any magnitude may install and configure it easily since it only requires ten minutes to virtualize without taking consideration of the most demanding to automate and workloads management procedures which increases its agility and flexibility while decreasing TCO. Also, in the case of a group configuration which requires more XenServer to be arranged in a pool, it is required that the pool master is configured in the form of SEP sesam Client. It is also essential to ensure that the prerequisites are met prior to configuration although the configuring alternatives may slightly differ with respect to the version of Sep sesam version.

There are some hardware requirements which should be met to ensure that XenServer functions effectively. It needs a two distinct physical X86 PCs where one is required to operate the XenCenter app while the other is the computer is needed to act as a XenServer host. Additionally, the most significant hardware requirement for the host is that it ought to be a 64-bit x86-based system which is dedicated to hosting VMs. This PC should operate a hardened and optimized partition that has a Xen-enabled kernel that manages the interface existing between virtualized apparatus observed by physical hardware and VMs. Additionally, the XenServer host should have a 2 GHz or a minimum of 1.5 GHz. It should also have a RAM of 2GB minimum, but it is advisable to have a 4GB RAM. The disk space should be at least 16GB, but it is recommended to have a space of more than 60GB where XenServer is installing with many boots derived from SAN.

It utilizes an open-source project Xen Hypervisor which is developed for effective management of both Linus VMs and Windows. Additionally, with either AMD-V 64-bit x86-based system or an Intel VT with more than one CPU is needed to operate all supported guest operating systems. Additionally, to operate the HVM Linux guest or Windows operating system, a 64-bit x86 processor-centered system which supports AMD-V or Intel VT hardware virtualization present in the BIOS and processor is needed.

The pricing alternatives for Citrix XenServer are presented in the table below.

• On-Premises Standard One Year $345.00
• On-Premises Standard Three year $780.00
• On-Premises Enterprise One year $695.00
• On-Premises Enterprise Three year $1,560.00
• Perpetual Standard One year $763.00
• Perpetual Enterprise One year $1,525.00

The major pros and major cons of each of the top three (3) software packages available.

Each of three identified virtualization software packages have multiple pros as well as limitations which are worth considering in a bid to determine and implement the most ideal software package. To begin with the VMware software, its primary pros are based on its unmatched performance and scalability, cost savings, as well as features and add-ons support. As the market leader virtualization software,...