What's the benefit of Virtualization
Back to basics - what is the benefit of virtualization for a small business?
If everyone has to log into a computer, why have them connect to a virtual computer?
We use a terminal server for remote user access.
If everyone has to log into a computer, why have them connect to a virtual computer?
We use a terminal server for remote user access.
Using a desktop OS instead of a Server OS in the case of TS gives the better user experience. It also gives you a more "Personal" touch. You don't need a TS or a TS licensing server and the TS Cal's.
Having the OS in a VM instead of actual hardware makes it easier to replace the hardware, as the VM doesn't care about that. There are very thin clients available for VMware which run a better protocol than the RDP protocol used by TS, and that is much better suited for multimedia streaming.
Having the OS in a VM instead of actual hardware makes it easier to replace the hardware, as the VM doesn't care about that. There are very thin clients available for VMware which run a better protocol than the RDP protocol used by TS, and that is much better suited for multimedia streaming.
I was asked to assist schools in the local Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC). We used VMware to deploy imaged machines. There is a HUGE security advantage to deploying VM imaged machines. VMware is extremely difficult to infect. If infected, just destroy the image and create a new one... This is one serious advantage to VMware. There is one other to reduce hardware servers. you can deploy servers as a VM computer. Now this requires thorough knowledge of server configurations. While at the CCDC, we were deploying servers. For things like sharepoint and Exchange over VM images, you must have your AD server up an running prior. Otherwise you will probably have an issue...
Now, with that said, there are many pitfalls. Like I stated you have to deploy your servers IN ORDER. Then you have to conentrate on IP configuration and Security IDs (SIDS) on the servers. It can become quickly confusing on what to deploy first, then what to deploy next. Also you have to set the time synch, etc... Lot's of configuration management comes with VM imaged machines.
-Security and the ability to quickly fix a machine by deploying a new image are benefits.
-Configurations management, and system scalability / convergence difficulty are pitfalls.
Now, with that said, there are many pitfalls. Like I stated you have to deploy your servers IN ORDER. Then you have to conentrate on IP configuration and Security IDs (SIDS) on the servers. It can become quickly confusing on what to deploy first, then what to deploy next. Also you have to set the time synch, etc... Lot's of configuration management comes with VM imaged machines.
-Security and the ability to quickly fix a machine by deploying a new image are benefits.
-Configurations management, and system scalability / convergence difficulty are pitfalls.
ASKER
Thank you for the quick replies.
There is 1 SBS2008 server supporting the general network chores, including Peachtree, 1 DB application server, and the TS server.
If I had an application server I could off load the Peachtree, printers and file shares. Would this be worth the setup of a virtual server? Would I need 2 servers as virtual servers?
I guess I'm old school, but it seems easier to use standard servers, roaming profiles and swap a PC if it dies while you rebuild it.
There is 1 SBS2008 server supporting the general network chores, including Peachtree, 1 DB application server, and the TS server.
If I had an application server I could off load the Peachtree, printers and file shares. Would this be worth the setup of a virtual server? Would I need 2 servers as virtual servers?
I guess I'm old school, but it seems easier to use standard servers, roaming profiles and swap a PC if it dies while you rebuild it.
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Labsy - there are 3 servers
Zero Client sounds like a great desktop solution.
I can see this would be an investment in hard drives and processors, but would replace a lot of desktop cost.
Zero Client sounds like a great desktop solution.
I can see this would be an investment in hard drives and processors, but would replace a lot of desktop cost.
If its 1 and if it has an onboard remote access card like DRAC or iLO, VM isn't going to give you that many benefits. Infact the only advantage I can see is that if the machine fails it may be quicker to restore if you can get access to the VM image.