Assignment 3: Virtualization across the Board
Chris Brown
Strayer University
CIS512
Dr. Gideon U. Nwatu

ABSTRACT
Virtualization is simply when a virtual version of a device or resources such as server, a storage device, network or even an operating system, which divides the resources into one or more execution environment is created. Virtualization has provided greater efficiency in CPU utilization, save energy (less energy consumption), greener IT, and better management through central environment control, reduce project timelines by eliminating hardware procurement, improved disaster recovery capability. Virtualization is sure the best innovation in the IT environment of the present age. The core idea behind virtualization is to make efficient use of hardware resources, such as CPU, memory and disk. In any computing environment it’s highly unlikely that hardware resources are being used to their full capacity. For example a typical desktop does not use more than 10% of its hardware resources under normal operational conditions.
By using hardware virtualization, we can more effectively distribute our hardware resources among multiple virtual instances of operating systems according to that particular environment computing needs. Virtualization provides a mean to dynamically allocate hardware resources when needed and essentially unbinding software from hardware. Thus bringing down the overall requirements for hardware, which ultimately result in reduction of hardware cost. Different types of virtualization which are storage, network, hardware, software, server, and network virtualization. This paper will evaluate the benefit of virtualization in present day.

DETERMINE WHETHER HARDWARE VIRTUALIZATION HELPS BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATION IN TERMS OF:
COST MANAGEMENT: “Hardware virtualization is the use of software to emulate hardware or a total computer environment other than the one the software is actually running” (Turban & volonino, 2011, p.47). In hardware virtualization a piece of hardware is allowed to run multiple operating system image at once, which sometimes refers to as virtual machine, this significantly saves cost of ownership, floor space to install the hardware infrastructure ,also cost of maintenance and upgrade. Virtualization is well known for its cost savings, infect cost saving was the primary reason that triggered rapid popularity of virtualization solutions in recent years. Cost saving is achieved by reducing the number of physical computers that are needed to support business applications by means of consolidation. Multiple physical servers consolidated into one physical server result in saving hardware resources and management overhead. This also helps in reducing energy costs for datacenters. With energy cost going up so rapidly this can be the most substantial cost saving in present and in future. Business Continuity is another very important benefit that is achieved by using virtualization solutions. Higher business continuity requires higher data protection, high availability and faster disaster recovery. In virtual computers, operating system instances are completely independent of underlying physical hardware. This makes virtual computers extremely portable resulting in higher data protection, high availability and faster disaster recovery. This is probably by far the greatest benefit business achieved from virtualization.
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND SCALABILITY: In hardware virtualization, hypervisor is used directly on an x86 server. The hypervisor manages the physical resources (CPU, memory, and I/O ) of the server, each virtual machine then run a quest OS and associate applications and increase performance and scalability” (Paul, B, 2007). Eliminate unnecessary transitions to Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), new address- translation mechanisms (for CPU and devices), reduce memory requirements (translated code, shadow tables). Hardware virtualization obviously gives business and organization higher data protection, higher availability, faster disaster recovery and directly improving performances and scalability.
SYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND ADMINSTRATION: With virtualization, administration (especially remote administration) becomes a lot easier, faster, and cost effective. Desk-side visits can be almost eliminated through desktop and application virtualization, because the business applications are maintained centrally. Any failure in the end user environment can be rectified quickly and easily. In addition, virtual server operating systems can mostly be managed remotely using standard tools and network interfaces, rather than needing physical attention. For example, an administrator can use a remote management console to perform administration operations like system shutdown, power-down, and reboot, without ever actually affecting the host operating system or hardware. Server consolidation enabled by virtualization also reduces the number of servers that need administration. Virtualization can significantly reduce management and maintenance costs, especially for large user communities, and wide geographic networks. Management of virtual environments is by all accounts a lot easier than might otherwise be expected. Most organizations find it easier to manage a virtual environment than a physical one. Nevertheless, there are significant challenges to be overcome when deploying and managing virtual environments. Amongst the most significant are training and staff development. Other management challenges are less apparent, but no less real. Policy-based resource management and capacity planning are a new challenge in a virtual world, requiring new technologies and processes. DETERMINE WHETHER SOFTWARE VIRTUALIZATION HELPS BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATION IN TERMS: COST MANAGEMENT: Software virtualization involves creating a virtual layer where virtual software can exist. From here software applications can be used as if they have been installed on a hosted operating system (OS). Software virtualization environments, usually run on virtual machines (VMs), offer an agile resource for IT managers, as they can switch virtualized applications on and off within their infrastructural computing environment. This also allows users to run multiple versions of the same application, install applications incompatible with the current OS, and test new applications in an isolated environment. Virtualization create a piece of software where everything contained within the software act as if it exists upon a single piece of hardware, this has some enormous benefits to offer every single data center. First and foremost, a virtualized environment allows you to better leverage your existing resources. A single system, under a virtualization model, can act like a number of systems, allowing you to pool resources by running applications across devices or using one device to run multiple applications, this software virtualization technique has proven to reduce cost, acquiring the software, maintaining software, licensing, Low-cost application testing and deployment. SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND SCALABILITY: Virtualization create a piece of software where everything contained within the software believes that it exists upon a single piece of hardware, this has some enormous benefits to offer every single data center. First and foremost, a virtualized environment allows you to better leverage your existing resources. A single system, under a virtualization model, can act like a number of systems, allowing you to pool resources by running applications across devices or using one device to run multiple applications, this software virtualization’s technique has proven to reduce cost, acquiring the software, maintaining software, licensing, Low-cost application testing and deployment.
SYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND ADMINSTRATION: Managing updates becomes a much simpler task. Update one place; deploy the updated virtual application to the clients. If the update breaks something, just copy the original file back in place. Suddenly, it becomes possible to have a library of updated software for versioning and roll back functionality. Administrating cost has been reduce and needs streamlined because of automated systems management tools that directly address key business concerns related to IT, such as the ability to more rapidly deploy services in response to business needs, and the control of costs associated with capital expenditure and ongoing management.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST VMARE, MICROSOFT, AND CITRIX
VMware Provides the most comprehensive virtualization and cloud management, Integrates with your overall IT infrastructure, VMware Is proven to service over 350,000 customers and VMware delivers while providing Low total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) Window has a good market adoption but compare to VMware is has strong ground before and has a better market adoption but Windows Microsoft enhancements in Hyper-V and Windows Server 2012 with more secure multi-tenancy, higher performance and flexibility. The recent enhancements to Microsoft's Windows Server 2012 beta, including to Hyper-V, are a match for VMware's capability and could give data center operators reason to switch from market leader VMware. Citrix although has matured and gained widespread implementation; organizations around the world increasingly recognize the broad spectrum of benefits it delivers and view it as a strategic investment that forms a fundamental part of their IT infrastructure. Beyond the impact on business flexibility, productivity and efficiency, desktop virtualization can also play an important role in risk management by transforming the way organizations approach information security and compliance, but in terms of market adoption is regarded the third after VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V. “VMware created VMware ESXi the smallest hypervisor and first complete x86/x64 virtualization architecture with no dependence on a general-purpose operating system. No other virtualization platform can match the compact size of VMware ESXi with its small disk footprint. Removing the patches that would normally need to be applied reduces the security risks associated with a general purpose server operating system” (John, T, 2012) This makes the VMware architecture better than both Microsoft Hyper-V and Citrix Technical support: The three vendors have excellent technical support. Determine which vendor you would recommend for a virtualization strategy and explain why? In my expert opinion, I would recommend Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V, although VMware is very powerful, Microsoft has launched to the market a high performance, scalable, robust, and cost-effective virtualization platform which allows customers to virtualized mission-critical workloads with confidence. In addition, with System Center 2012 SP1, Microsoft provides customers with comprehensive management of their infrastructure, from accelerating deployment, providing deep insight into health and performance to keep your key applications and workloads running at their best performance and with Microsoft relentless attitude soon most government will adopt Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V as I am recommending.

References:
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John, T. (2012).VMware Implementation and administration (volume 13): Retrieve from book.google.com
P. Barham, B. Dragovic, K. Fraser, S. Hand, T. Harris, A. Ho, I. Pratt, A. Warfield, and R. Neugebauer. (2003). Xen and the art of virtualization. In Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Operating Systems Principles
Turban, E., & Volonino, L. (2011). Information technology for management improving strategic and operational performance (8th edition.). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.