Virtualisation is part of a fast growing trend sweeping across business enterprises and causing a real stir in the dynamics of IT departments. But what is it and what does it mean for me?

What is Virtualisation?

The term Virtualisation means to emulate a condition on a computer such as an operating system. Although a computer may be an actual machine to the user, objectively it is merely a set of files and programs and the user may not ever come in to contact with it. Virtualisation means that certain hardware resources can be centralised onto a single central processing unit (CPU). This is far more efficient and significantly reduces overhead costs. In virtualisation, the host machine is the actual machine on which virtualisation takes place and the software creating the virtual machine on the host is called a hypervisor.

There are two types of virtualisation; server virtualisation, where the virtualisation software on a single actual machine allows it to offer the same functionality as several servers. The other is desktop virtualisation, where local desktops and applications are moved to a remote server and access comes via an internet connection.

Virtualisation and the cloud

In traditional IT infrastructures, only about 5% of the server hardware is actually in use at any one time. A company may have a number of servers, each hosting individual applications. By using server visualisation these same servers can be consolidated into a single physical platform. This could then be hosted in your own private cloud, a public cloud or a hybrid (combination). By using cloud software applications, there is no need for the installation of software on individual computers, just an internet browser to access the cloud.

What is VMware?

VMware is the market leader in virtualisation. VMware inserts a thin layer of software called the hypervisor directly on to the computer hardware. VMware’s desktop software runs on Microsoft Windows, Linus, and Mac OS X, while VMware’s enterprise software hypervisors for servers are embedded hypervisors that run directly on server hardware without requiring an additional operating system. Ivy is a professional solution partner with VMware and a silver professional partner of Veeam and has developed many virtualisation solutions for our customers.

Virtualisation accelerates IT and transforms your business

Virtualising a single computer is great, but the real power of virtualisation comes into play when you build an entire virtual infrastructure.  It allows businesses to accelerate their transition to the cloud and to adopt a more efficient, agile service. It builds a cloud infrastructure tailored to your unique business challenges.

What are the benefits to me?

  • Cost cutting.  You only pay for the computer processing power that you need
  • Reduced maintenance and operational costs
  • Greater efficiency, utilisation and flexibility from your existing IT resources
  • Saves you time by simplifying resources
  • More robust but agile infrastructure which can change faster to changing market needs
  • Frees up floor space by removing multiple servers units
  • Saves energy and reduces environmental impact.

Our support philosophy...

"We do not quibble over the difference between hardware and software – if you have a problem with any computer system, it is our mission to resolve it, regardless of the source of the trouble."

Dan Brett, Technical Director

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