Virtualization

What is Virtualization
Virtualization is the process of creating a software-based (or virtual)
representation of something rather than a physical one.
Virtualization can apply to applications, servers, storage, and
networks and is the single most effective way to reduce IT expenses
while boosting efficiency and agility for all size businesses.

Benefits of Virtualization
Virtualization can increase IT agility, flexibility, and scalability while
creating significant cost savings. Workloads get deployed faster,
performance and availability increases and operations become
automated, resulting in IT that's simpler to manage and less costly
to own and operate. Additional benefits include:

Reduce capital and operating costs.

Minimize or eliminate downtime.
Increase IT productivity, efficiency, agility and responsiveness.
Provision applications and resources faster.
Enable business continuity and disaster recovery.
Simplify data center management.
Build a true Software-Defined Data Center

HOW IT WORKS
Virtualization 101
IT organizations are challenged by the limitations of todays x86
servers, which are designed to run just one operating system and

application at a time. As a result, even small data centers have to

deploy many servers, each operating at just 5 to 15 percent
of capacityhighly inefficient by any standard.

Virtualization uses software to simulate the existence of hardware

and create a virtual computer system. Doing this allows businesses
to run more than one virtual system and multiple operating
systems and applications -- on a single server. This can provide
economies of scale and greater efficiency.

The Virtual Machine

A virtual computer system is known as a virtual machine (VM): a
tightly isolated software container with an operating system and
application inside. Each self-contained VM is completely
independent. Putting multiple VMs on a single computer enables
several operating systems and applications to run on just one
physical server, or host.

A thin layer of software called a hypervisor decouples the virtual

machines from the host and dynamically allocates computing
resources to each virtual machine as needed.

Key Properties of Virtual Machines

VMs have the following characteristics, which offer several benefits.

Partitioning

Run multiple operating systems on one physical machine

Divide system resources between virtual machines
Isolation

Provide fault and security isolation at the hardware level

Preserve performance with advanced resource controls
Encapsulation

Save the entire state of a virtual machine to files

Move and copy virtual machines as easily as moving and
copying files
Hardware Independence

Provision or migrate any virtual machine to any physical server

Server Consolidation
Using server virtualization, a company can maximize the use of its
server resources and reduce the number of servers required. The
result is server consolidation, which improves efficiency and cuts
costs.
Learn More.

Its Not Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is not the same thing as virtualization; rather, its
something you can do using virtualization. Cloud computing
describes the delivery of shared computing resources (software
and/or data) on demand through the Internet. Whether or not you
are in the cloud, you can start by virtualizing your servers and then
move to cloud computing for even more agility and increased selfservice.

OVERVIEW

CONSOLIDATE
MANAGE
AUTOMATE
RESOURCES

Reduce IT Costs and Increase Control with

Server Virtualization
Reduce server costs with server virtualization and consolidation.
Centralize server management and automate your data center with
VMware.
Eliminate over-provisioning, increase server utilization and limit the
environmental impact of IT by consolidating your server hardware
with VMware vSphere with Operations Management, VMware's
virtualization platform.
Server consolidation lets your organization:

Reduce hardware and operating costs by as much as 50

percent and energy costs by as much as 80 percent, saving more
than $3,000 per year for each virtualized server workload.

Reduce the time it takes to provision new servers by as much

as 70 percent.

Decrease downtime and improve reliability with business

continuity and built-in disaster recovery.

Deliver IT services on demand, independent of hardware,

operating systems, applications or infrastructure providers.

(2:24)

vSphere with Operations Management Overview

vSphere with OperationsManagement enables IT to gainoperational insight into
the virtual environment, providing improved availability, performance, and
capacity utilization.

Reduce Server Costs with Desktop and

Server Virtualization
By consolidating your server hardware with vSphere with Operations
Management, your organization can increase existing hardware
utilization from as low as 5 percent to as much as 80 percent. You
can also reduce energy consumption by decreasing the number of
servers in your data center. VMware server virtualization can reduce
hardware requirements by a 15:1 ratio, enabling you to lessen the
environmental impact of your organization's IT without sacrificing
reliability or service levels. Server and desktop hardware
consolidation can also help you achieve a 20 to 30 percent lower
cost per application, as well as defer data center construction costs
by $1,000 per square foot. vSphere with Operations Management
allows for a 50 to 70 percent higher virtual machine density per host
than commodity offerings.

Centralize Management of Your Virtual

Data Center
Unlike vendors that only offer single-point solutions for server
virtualization, VMware lets you manage an entire virtual data center
from a single point of control. With vSphere with Operations
Management, you can monitor health, manage resources, and plan
for the data center growth all from a unified dashboard.

Automate the Virtual Data Center

An automated virtual data center can simplify management while
simultaneously delivering performance, scalability and availability
levels that are impossible with physical infrastructure. The vSphere
with Operations Management platform enables your organization to
minimize downtime, enable dynamic, policy-based allocation of IT
resources and eliminate repetitive configuration and maintenance
tasks.

CONSOLIDATE
Eliminate Over-Provisioning
Increase Server Utilization
Get more out of your existing hardware by consolidating x86 servers
with VMware vSphere. In the traditional "one workload, one box"
approach to server provisioning, most servers operate at just 5 to 15
percent of their total load capacity, which results in overprovisioning and under-utilization. You can decrease server sprawl
and increase utilization by converting your x86 servers into virtual
machines that run independently from the underlying hardware.
Each virtual machine represents a complete system that can run
Windows, Linux, Solaris and NetWare operating systems and
software applications; many virtual machines can run independently
on the same physical server at the same time. Running multiple
workloads on highly configured x86 servers allows you to increase
the utilization of your server hardware from 10 to 15 percent to as
much as 80 percent.
Download the free VMware vCenter Converter utility to convert
physical machines to virtual machines as well as to convert virtual
machine formats.

Reduce Hardware Requirements

Using VMware vSphere with Operations Management, your
organization can reduce the IT hardware in your data center. Each
host server running vSphere can support more than 1024 virtual
machines. Many organizations run as many as 15 applications on a
single piece of hardware, reducing their hardware requirements by a
15:1 ratio.

Cut Hardware and Operating Costs with

Server Consolidation
Consolidating your hardware means that you need fewer servers in
your data center, which means you will spend less on hardware and
maintenance and less on energy for power and cooling. VMware
virtualization can help your organization save more than $3,000
annually for each server you virtualize.
You can also shift IT resources and budgets away from tactical
maintenance to strategic projects. VMware vSphere with Operations
Management, automates and simplifies tedious day-to-day tasks like
provisioning, hardware maintenance and performance
management. This reduces the cost and complexity of managing IT
in your data center.

Reduce Hardware Requirements

MANAGE
Managing the Virtual Infrastructure
VMware gives you the tools to manage and monitor your entire
virtual infrastructure from a central location, reduce new server
provisioning time and allocate shared IT resources with greater
flexibility. VMware works closely with industry-standards
organizations and technology partners to ensure seamless
interoperability through open interfaces and standards-based
technologies.

Unified Management
With VMware vSphere with Operations Management, you can
manage all your heterogeneous x86-based operating systems,

including Windows, Linux and Netware, by placing them on a single

virtual hardware platform. Monitor and analyze virtual machines,
resource pools, server utilization and availability with detailed
performance graphs. Define the performance metrics that are
important to you at the specific levels you need and view them in
real time or across a specified time interval.

Accelerate Provisioning Time

With vSphere with Operations Management, you can create
templates for your virtual machines, thus eliminating repetitive
installation and configuration tasks when provisioning new server
workloads. When coupled with the hardware independence of
virtualization, you can reduce the time it takes to deploy new IT
services by 50 to 70 percent. Virtual machine templates also make it
easier to enforce corporate standards for anti-virus and
management software.

AUTOMATE
Automate IT to Maximize Efficiency in Your
Data Center
With VMware vSphere with Operations Management, you can deliver
on demand IT resources wherever and whenever they are needed.
This allows you to dynamically allocate and balance computing
capacity and virtual machine placement across the data center.
You can transform your IT infrastructure into a responsive, selfoptimizing data center with vSphere's built-in capabilities for
resource optimization, application availability and operational
automation. vSphere with Operations Management supports IT
environments of any size and is not tied to any operating system,
giving you a bias-free choice of operating system and software

applications.

Enable Live Virtual Machine Migration

vMotion, part of vSphere, enables you to migrate virtual machines
from one physical server to another with zero downtime, continuous
service availability and complete transaction integrity. Live virtual
machine migration allows you to perform hardware maintenance
without scheduling downtime or disrupting business operations.

Deliver Mission-Critical Services On

Demand
Balance computing capacity across the resource pools in your virtual
infrastructure. vSphere DRScontinuously monitors storage, CPU and
RAM utilization, automatically reallocating available resources based
on pre-defined policies that reflect your organization's business
needs and priorities. The end result is a data center that can run at
more than 80 percent utilization while maintaining guaranteed
service levels for all applications. VMware delivers much better ROI
on x86 server investments with minimal capacity planning.

Read More.

GETTING STARTED
Ready for the next steps? Learn about the various types of
virtualization and find resources to help you begin your virtualization
journey.

Server Virtualization

Most servers operate at less than 15 percent of capacity, leading to

server sprawl and complexity. Server virtualization addresses these
inefficiencies by allowing multiple operating systems to run on a
single physical server as virtual machines, each with access to the
underlying server's computing resources.
The next step is to aggregate a server cluster into a single
consolidated resource which improves overall efficiency and
reduces cost. Server virtualization also enables faster workload
deployment, increased application performance, and higher
availability.

Learn more about vSphere and vSphere with Operations

Management
Try for Free

Network Virtualization
Network virtualization is the complete reproduction of a physical
network in software. Applications run on the virtual network exactly
the same as if on a physical network. Network virtualization
presents logical networking devices and serviceslogical ports,
switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, VPNs and moreto
connected workloads. Virtual networks offer the same features and
guarantees of a physical network with the operational benefits and
hardware independence of virtualization.

Learn more about NSX

Try for Free

Desktop Virtualization
Deploying desktops as a managed service gives you the opportunity
to respond quicker to changing needs and opportunities. You can
reduce costs and increase service by quickly and easily delivering
virtualized desktops and applications to branch offices, outsourced
and offshore employees and mobile workers on iPad and Android
tablets.

OVERVIEW
SPOTLIGHT
PRIVATE CLOUD
PUBLIC CLOUD
HYBRID CLOUD

Unlock Greater Value from Cloud

Computing
We are committed to helping you adopt a hybrid cloud strategy that
drives digital business transformation. With the VMware Cross-Cloud
Architecture, we are harnessing the power of clouds, making them
ready for enterprise use cases by extending the capabilities of our
private cloud technologies. So now you can run, manage, connect
and secure your applications across multiple private and public
clouds and devices including apps running natively on the leading
public clouds.

(3:18)

The VMware Cross-Cloud Architecture

See how VMware's Cross-Cloud Architecture helps you avoid cloud silos, giving
you both freedom and control in IT infrastructure.

VMware's Cloud Strategy

Our approach to cloud computing is based on a few foundational
tenets:

Deliver a best-in-class software-defined data center (SDDC)

private cloud

Extend the SDDC to private and public clouds

Support connectivity, security and management

Innovate freely in the clouds of your choice with VMware.

Private Cloud
A VMware private cloud can support virtually any workload -- from
traditional enterprise apps to modern container-based
microservices.

Public Cloud
Our technology gives you the flexibility to run your private clouds
on-premises or to consume them as a service through VMware
vCloud Air Network partners.

Hybrid Cloud
The VMware Cross-Cloud Architecture supports IT's adoption of
public or private clouds without creating cloud silos.

SPOTLIGHT

(1:50)

VMware Cross-CloudArchitecture in Action

See how business and IT are implementing the VMware CrossCloud Architecture to deliver apps efficiently.

Gain Freedom and Control with the

VMware Cross-Cloud Architecture
Clouds can bring challenges as well as speed and flexibility. The VMware
Cross-Cloud Architecture helps you meet them.

View Infographic

Private Cloud
VMware technology is the foundation for best-in-class private clouds
deployed by more than 500,000 customers worldwide.

These private clouds have all the capabilities and self-service ease
of use of public clouds. They are delivered on a simple, efficient and
flexible hyper-converged software platform with industry-leading
network virtualization, storage virtualization and management.

A VMware private cloud can support virtually any workloadfrom

traditional enterprise applications to modern container-based
microservices.

Cloud Management Platform

Provision and manage workloads in your private cloud, even to other
hypervisors and to non-virtualized environments, with vRealize
Suite. Automate provisioning with policy-based lifecycle
management capabilities.

VMware Cloud Foundation

Cloud Foundation is our new unified SDDC platform for private and
public clouds. Simplify how IT stands up and maintains private and
hybrid clouds while making them easier for developers to use for
innovation.

Private Cloud
VMware technology is the foundation for best-in-class private clouds
deployed by more than 500,000 customers worldwide.

These private clouds have all the capabilities and self-service ease
of use of public clouds. They are delivered on a simple, efficient and
flexible hyper-converged software platform with industry-leading
network virtualization, storage virtualization and management.

A VMware private cloud can support virtually any workloadfrom

traditional enterprise applications to modern container-based
microservices.

Cloud Management Platform

Provision and manage workloads in your private cloud, even to other
hypervisors and to non-virtualized environments, with vRealize

Suite. Automate provisioning with policy-based lifecycle

management capabilities.

VMware Cloud Foundation

Cloud Foundation is our new unified SDDC platform for private and
public clouds. Simplify how IT stands up and maintains private and
hybrid clouds while making them easier for developers to use for
innovation.

Public Cloud
VMware technology gives customers the flexibility to run their
private clouds on-premises or to consume them as a service
through vCloud Air Network partners.

Customers can leverage a common platform of virtualized compute,

storage and networking that delivers a consistent operational model
across private and public clouds and can be managed using existing
skillsets and processes.

VMware vCloud Air

Run any workload, existing or new, with vCloud Air a secure,
dedicated cloud owned and operated by VMware. The service
delivers unified networking, common management and security, and
the same reliability and performance you expect from your internal
data center.

vCloud Air Network Service Providers

Choose from a broad selection of cloud services built on the vSphere
virtualization platform. These services are optimized for a variety of
use cases such as seasonal projects, development and testing, and
disaster recovery.

Hybrid Cloud
The VMware Cross-Cloud Architecture supports ITs adoption of
public or private clouds without creating cloud silos.

This new architecturedelivered by VMware Cloud Foundation, new

Cross-Cloud services that VMware is developing, and the vRealize
cloud management platformprovide a control plane for common
management, policies, networking, and security across private and
public clouds.

IT organizations can discover what services exist across different

clouds, and enforce security and governance while efficiently
managing costs.

The VMware Cross-Cloud Architecture enables businesses to more

seamlessly build and operate cloud-native applications by managing
the provisioning and Day 2 management of cloud-native cluster
frameworks. Effectively, IT can provide these frameworks as
services to their app teams on the cloud of their choice, with
freedom and control.