Category: Virtual Server
Virtualization has long been the domain of large enterprises. Beginning with time-sharing technology on massive mainframes, virtualization required large data centers and larger IT budgets. The advent of high-performance workstations and servers based on Windows, Linux and similar technologies brought the benefits of virtualization to small- and mid-size businesses that might have only a limited IT staff and an even more limited budget.
Today, virtual operating systems from companies such as Microsoft, VMware, SWsoft and XenSource allow companies of all size to take advantage of hardware that would have made yesterday’s IT managers salivate in envy. Multicore processors, inexpensive system memory and commodity-priced massive disk drives are putting the disk farms and mainframes of years ago into a small chassis. The result: technology that once was the province of multinational companies can now be used by small- and mid-sized businesses as well — assuming they have the technological wherewithal to implement these capabilities.
For example, instead of being confined to a single operating system on each physical computer, companies can leverage virtual server technology to deploy multiple environments on the same box. Companies can use virtual servers to eliminate costs of managing and upgrading legacy hardware by migrating older applications onto virtual machines running on new, reliable hardware. They can also consolidate low-use departmental servers onto a single physical server to decrease management complexity.
In order for an SMB to take advantage of virtualization, there are several technological issues that need to be understood and exploited. Once harnessed, a world of opportunity exits.
Deploying a Server: Migration from physical to virtual, virtual to physical, virtual to virtual and physical to physical.
Hardware and Software Support: Support for multiple hardware platforms and operating systems, including both 32- and 64-bit servers as well as VMware, Microsoft, XenSource and Parallels virtual environments.
Customizing the Migration Process: Migrate an entire system or specific files to another server.
Working with Data: Migrating either live data or data at rest with either an on-line or off-line migration with minimal disruption.
Disaster Recovery: Take a backup image and migrate that to a new server for historic data retrieval purposes.
Sounds impossible for an SMB with only limited IT capabilities? It isn’t. It really is based on the axiom: Use the right tool for the job.
Deploying a Server
In an SMB, deploying a server generally requires building the system from scratch, including installing the operating system and applications, configuring the applications and then configuring the network. This is a time- and personnel-intensive task. Depending on the server being built, it could take literally days to build, test, configure, test, debug, test and deploy. Then, when you build another system, you start all over.
It would be a lot more efficient to build a single system, and then deploy it again and again. In a virtual environment, this could mean designing a system in the IT lab and then deploying it to virtual servers at a hosting company or to remote systems. But how do you ensure that the system you built in one location actually works in another?
The key here is to create “transportable images”. A transportable image is one that can be designed and tested on one hardware platform, then deployed on another, regardless of the hardware configuration. The benefits of transportable images are reduced configuration time, reduced deployment time, and the ability to deploy even without necessarily knowing at the outset the hardware configuration.
The drawback: not every deployment tool supports transportable images. The key is to select an imaging program that will not only allow you to move from a physical to a virtual machine, but also from virtual to virtual, virtual back to physical and physical to physical — think of it as going full circle.
Hardware and Software Support
This is fairly straightforward, but certainly worth mentioning. Many IT infrastructures are purchasing hardware and software that support 64-bit technology. While you might not be using 64-bit hardware or applications today, make sure your servers are capable of moving to that platform in the future. You don’t want to have to redevelop all of your servers again in three to five years.
Additionally, make sure you have tools that allow you to move from one virtual operating system to another. With mergers, acquisitions and new applications, you don’t want to be locked in to a single platform. Having the right tools to move from one virtual OS to another is imperative.
Customizing the Migration Process
There likely will be occasions when you will need to migrate just part of a virtual server to another system. To ensure that you can successfully move a group of folders or files, you need to have a tool that is able to drag and drop the files from one system to another. It sounds easy, but again, not every migration tool can perform this function.
Working with Live Data
Most migration tools do an excellent job of moving data that is at rest — data that is not currently being used. In fact, much of the time you will be dealing with data that is off-line. However, when you are backing up a server that must be up 24×7 or restoring a transactional server, you’re dealing with live data.
In such cases, you’ll want to be able to image the live data when making the backup so that the backup operation will not impact the server or your users. Select a disk imaging application that can take a snapshot of the server and then perform the backup operation in the background.
You only have two choices with imaging products: those that force you to take a server down to back up, which can cause massive interruptions to your business processes and productivity, or those that allow you to back up live data completely in the background on a live, running Windows system with open system files. Only programs that can image open Windows files will allow you to save the state of that machine; when you restore that image, the system will be back working in a known, good condition.
Here’s an important caution: If your program does not back up open Windows files, you will not be able to restore the image to a bare-metal drive effectively. You will first have to reinstall the operating system, then all applications, drivers and such. Your backup will be file-based only.
Disaster Recovery
Disasters come in all sizes. Companies need to plan for the recovery of systems first by prioritizing resources and creating backup schedules to match the maximum allowable downtime for any given server. Remember that creating a system backup is not the end of the task, it’s the beginning. Ensuring that the backup can be restored is a goal that must be achieved but remember, to be useful, that backup must be able to be restored to any hardware platform, not just the system from which it was created.
Disk imaging offers the best choice for disaster recovery because it can return a system to a known, good working state. However, as noted earlier, make sure that you select an imaging product that can work entirely in the background or you will find yourself with potentially damaging productivity issues.
File-based backups require that you reinstall the operating system, applications, drivers and such, then reconfigure the system to meet your needs.
There are a number of quality disk imaging products available today. You can test each one by creating a live image from one system and restoring it to another hardware platform. (To make things comparable, be sure to use x86 platforms running a version of Windows.) It does not matter if the systems are Intel- or AMD-based; in fact, going from one architecture to the other is a good way to test the software. If you cannot restore an image from one hardware platform to another, chances are you don’t want that product; it likely will cause more grief than it’s worth.
If an SMB’s data protection solution does not address the complete lifecycle management of data, the company risks unacceptable exposure of its data that can easily result in the loss of data and costly downtime. Policies, procedures and having the right tools to do the job sometimes just aren’t enough. SMBs, just like their corporate competitors, need to test their disaster recovery plan to ensure that they know how to recover. Having the right IT products is just the first step; practice and experience round out a fully functional disaster recovery plan.
Walter Scott is a CEO of Acronis, a technology company producing file
system-related software tools, including data
backup and restore, partitioning, boot manager, privacy, data
migration, and other storage management products for enterprises,
corporations and home users.
Windows Server Virtualization is a means for running virtual 64-bit versions of Windows Virtual Server. By running a virtualized version of a server, WSV 2008 and similar programs make it simple to run multiple versions of an operating system on a single machine. Essentially, an administrator running a virtual server creates multiple sections on the machine and runs a copy of the operating system of their choice within in each piece.
Each section, or partition, is an emulated copy of the entire machine, duplicating the effect of devices attached to the computer. As far as the virtualized server can tell, it is the only operating system running on the machine. This is extraordinarily useful to network administrators who want multiple, dedicated-like servers for their customers, but not at the cost of an entirely new machine. It’s also far more economical for the consumer, as well, since multiple people are sharing the cost of upkeep for a single machine. Virtual machines can also be used for trying changes to a website before going live; WSV 2008 and similar programs allow for testing a new version in a safe environment to ensure it is running correctly before actually putting the site online.
There are a several options when choosing a virtual server program, but Windows Server Virtualization is one that stands out. Unlike many other virtual servers, WSV 2008 allows the virtualization of both 32 and 64-bit systems, allowing it to run and simulate a broader range of software. Windows Server Virtualization also allows the migration of a virtualized server over to a dedicated machine; when surges in traffic occur, network administrators can quickly move the affected site to a machine with more capability.
There are other features as well. WSV 2008 offers support not only for Windows Server, but for a variety of other operating systems and platforms, allowing customization according to a customers needs. Some customers prefer a Linux based server, and with Windows Server Virtualization it is easy to provide it. All that needs to be added is a new partition, and the customer’s preferences can be fulfilled with the hardware you already have. There is no need to purchase new machines, and all of the hardware is more flexible.
Two more features make Windows Server Virtualization a good choice. The new 2008 version offers the ability for running snapshots, allowing network administrators the power to copy the server exactly as it is while it is still running. Downtime is minimized, since backing up the server no longer requires that the server be taken offline, and it is simple to bring it back up if there is a problem. WSV 2008 is also incredibly scalable. It now offers support for multiple processors and cores, among other things, allowing a single powerful machine to host a large number of virtual servers.
Whatever your specific needs Windows Server Virtualization is an excellent choice. It allows increased scalability, supports multiple operating systems, allows running snapshots, and enhances the value of your hardware. WSV 2008 allows virtualization of an entire server, enabling you to run multiple copies on a single machine. You save money and get more value from your hardware. The new 64-bit support only enhances this, offering the possibility of ever more powerful machines, and even more virtualization.
We have the most up to date information on Windows Server Virtualization. See our page on WSV 2008and learn how it can help you run your servers more efficiently.
A virtual terminal server can help your company get all the advantages of centrally deploying applications much less expensively, and without any of the costs or headaches of deploying dedicated terminal servers.
What is a Virtual Terminal Server?
Terminal Server is a Windows platform that allows you and your company to access all your applications from anywhere. That means your employees can access critical applications at home, on the road, at a branch office, or anywhere.
Virtualization, which consolidates servers onto fewer physical boxes, allows email servers, storage servers, application servers, and web servers to be run with lower costs, less administration and more flexibility, without loss of functionality.
What else does Virtual Terminal Server do?
Virtual Terminal Server lowers capital expenses and licensing costs. Using existing desktops, buying less powerful new computers or thin clients, and using fewer software licenses can reduce expenses. Meanwhile, it increases employee access to high-cost applications; employees who need access to an application can get it, without incurring increased subscription costs.
With Virtual Terminal Server, you can also increase security, keeping your data safe with FIPS encryption support, the ability prevent unauthorized access and server attacks, and restricting software access through group policies. But more security doesn’t mean more work for your system administrator. With remote desktop management, policy setup, and remote server management, system administrators can get more work done in less time.
Centralizing your applications and data, especially using server virtualization, helps decrease network load. With Virtual Terminal Server, load is balanced between multiple servers, reducing points of failure and allowing users to get the application features and speed they need using lower bandwidth.
Virtual Terminal Server enhances data protection. When data is stored to and retrieved from one location, it’s easy to guard it, back it up and access it; and with remote data storage and centralized backup, your company’s critical information can be restored after a local failure.
Finally, Virtual Terminal Server makes application deployment more efficient. With applications installed in one remote location, your help desk staff won’t spend hours installing applications for new employees, providing updates or adding new programs.
Hosted Terminal Server Using Virtualization
If you get Virtual Terminal Server from a company like Infinitely Virtual, you can combine the benefits of Terminal Server with the advantages of virtualization, without having to buy a single piece of hardware, administer any servers, or lease space in a datacenter. And with Virtual Terminal Server from Infinitely Virtual, you also get RAID-DP storage; six daily backups; a firewall; antivirus protection; and OpenOffice.org Suite installed, including applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases.
With Virtual Terminal Server, you can also add Virtual Server Clustering, an implementation of VMware’s High Availability. It provides automatic detection of server failures, automatic restart of virtual machines, virtual machine failure monitoring, proactive monitoring and health checks, and resource capacity checks. Find out more about Virtual Terminal Server and Virtual Server Clustering at InfinitelyVirtual.com.
Learn more about Infinitely Virtual and Lisa Gecko at:
Infinitely Virtual Newsletter
InfinitelyVirtual.com
Virtual Terminal Server
What is Virtual Private Server Web Hosting?
Virtual Private Servers offer hosting customers a great balance
between the control and power of a dedicated server, but at very
affordable prices as compared to shared hosting. Virtual Private
Servers, also known as VPS, Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS), or
virtual server hosting, offer developers and web hosting
resellers an excellent way of maximizing hosting investments.
As an intermediary service between shared web hosting and
dedicated server hosting, the actual hardware server is divided
into several isolated environments. Each environment, or space
of the hardware, has its own server software, mail server, and
independent software instances and services. This provides total
independence for that particular website, as a crashed or
corrupted application in another client’s VPS setup has no
effect on your virtual server hosting package. Virtual Private
Servers minimize the compromises that shared web hosting has, as
one does not have to share resources, applications, nor an
environment a large number of other users in the same directory.
Overall, VPS offers a distinct advantage in performance and
security, as compared to shared web hosting.
Advantages:
The rewards of Virtual server hosting are based around control,
security, and scalability.
VPS offers control, as many of the server resources available to
end users are very similar to that of dedicated servers without
the cost and expenses associated with utilizing a totally
dedicated solution. Because of the control, VPS users are able
to install their own applications, as well as use the feature of
dedicated web servers, mail servers, database servers, and FTP
servers.
Security is a major issue, as each VPS has its own dedicated
system files. Other virtual server hosting accounts should never
be able to ‘see’ your data, detect your presence, or affect the
operation of your VPS. As compared to shared hosting, the
benefit is protection from usage or behavior of other sites.
Lastly, scalability offers a great benefit in being able to
upgrade to a more robust VPS solution or transfer files and
applications to a dedicated server solution.
DisAdvantages:
There are a plethora of known advantages. However, one of the
major disadvantages is the requirement of advanced technical
skills and program knowledge to install, maintain, and tweak
specialized applications that need to run on VPS platforms. The
answer to this, however, is that better Virtual Server Hosting
companies provide detailed manuals that make processes of
configuration and control easier, no matter what level of
knowledge one has.
Next, mismanagement of too many virtual servers residing on the
same computer, or if a few virtual servers start hogging
resources, there may be an observable decrease in speed and
performance on web page delivery.
Furthermore, depending on the hosting package, a virtual private
server may allow endless ways of configuration, but it may not
always include with it the essential web hosting tools and
multiple-user management functions necessary to run the site of
your specifications. One may have to find specific software to
run, or may even have to purchase customized software to run on
that platform, as compared to software which may be provided by
shared hosting plans.
Lastly, although an advanced user would see the return on
investment of virtual private hosting, cost may be prohibitive
to a user who needs more basic functionality. As compared to
shared web hosting, VPS pricing plans and packages cost more per
unit time.
Technical Benefits:
Web hosting companies developed the virtual private server to
provide features usually reserved for a dedicated server at a
more affordable price. An increasing number of web hosting users
needed more flexibility, custom configurations, and root access,
and the concept of a true virtual server fit their needs
perfectly.
What is the best application of a Virtual Private Server web
hosting service provider?
Utility of virtual private services for advanced users is
multifaceted. VPS users, in management of servers, have a wide
variety of applications and uses. Flexibility, speed of data
delivery, security, and reliability, as compared to a shared
server environment, are markedly improved. Therefore, solutions
such as e-commerce, multimedia, and web development testing
suites and platforms such as ColdFusion, Active Server Pages,
and Java™ are viable options for implementation on a VPS.
From simple websites to complex needs, Virtual private hosting
can truly accommodate the present hosting needs, but also is for
those who need the scalability of growth and prediction of
future resource requirements.
Some more examples of applications that Virtual Private web
hosting is duly suited for include:
* Web-based calendaring & scheduling with employee scheduling *
Multimedia applications through graphics, video, audio, and
advanced rich advertising needs. * Tighter Email management
(including possible spam protection) * More robust and powerful
e-commerce possibilities (with secure data storage) * Corporate
intranet implementation. * Multiple custom application
development & hosting * Customer support ticket tracking * Data
management
=| How to decide: |==
Generally being more technically savvy, users of VPS would be
able to compare architectures that would offer the necessary
speeds, ease of new software deployment, and the ability to
install the latest technologies. Furthermore, possible VPS
customers should be able to compare features on the hardware and
software packages. Therefore, the following list of questions
would be appropriate to understand and compare what packages are
being offered and how they will affect the web page delivery.
* If something breaks, do you have spare server parts to fix it
immediately? * What kind of maintenance plan do you have with
your hardware provider? * What kind of backup options do you
offer to save my data? * What application options and modules
are available to me for installation * What management methods
are available for me to administer my server? * What kind of
connection to the Internet do you have? * What are the brand and
specifications of computers that you use? What are the hardware
specs you have available (CPU speed, drive size, memory, etc.)?
* Overall, virtual server hosting gives a high degree of
flexibility and operative benefits.
Overall, the ROI for Virtual Private Servers offers web savvy
customers needing fast and reliable services a great solution
for their web hosting needs.
Rodel Garcia is a freelance programmer and web developer. Owner
and webmaster of this web hosting
website. For details of this article, please go to PHP /MSQL Web Hosting
* Maximize control over your infrastructure while providing unprecedented availability and management capabilities, leading to a significantly more secure, reliable, and robust server environment than ever before
* Gives you the ability to deliver rich web-based experiences efficiently and effectively, with improved administration and diagnostics, development and application tools, and lower infrastructure costs
* Built-in server virtualization technology enables you to reduce costs, increase hardware utilization, optimize your infrastructure, and improve server availability
* Hardened operating system and security innovations, including Network Access Protection, Federated Rights Management, and Read-Only Domain Controller, provide unprecedented levels of protection for your network, your data, and your business
* New technologies and features such as Server Core, PowerShell, Windows Deployment Services, and enhanced networking and clustering technologies
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Product Description
Windows Server 2008 5 Client is the most robust Windows Server operating system to date. With built-in, enhanced Web and virtualization capabilities, it is designed to increase the reliability and flexibility of your server infrastructure while helping save time and reduce costs. Powerful tools give you greater control over your servers and streamline configuration and management tasks. Plus, enhanced security features work to harden the operating system to help protect your data and network and provide a solid, highly-dependable foundation for your business.
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Solid Foundation for Your Business Workloads
Built for the Web
Windows Server 2008 gives you the ability to deliver rich web-based experiences efficiently and effectively, with improved administration and diagnostics, development and application tools and lower infrastructure costs.
Virtualization Built In
With its built-in server virtualization technology, Windows Server 2008 enables you to reduce costs, increase hardware utilization, optimize your infrastructure, and improve server availability.
High Security
Windows Server 2008 is the most secure Windows Server ever. Its hardened operating system and security innovations, including Network Access Protection, Federated Rights Management, and Read-Only Domain Controller, provide unprecedented levels of protection for your network, your data, and your business.
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 is the most advanced Windows Server operating system yet, designed to power the next-generation of networks, applications, and Web services. With Windows Server 2008 you can develop, deliver, and manage rich user experiences and applications, provide a secure network infrastructure, and increase technological efficiency and value within your organization.
Windows Server 2008 builds on the success and strengths of its Windows Server predecessors while delivering valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the base operating system. New Web tools, virtualization technologies, security enhancements, and management utilities help save time, reduce costs, and provide a solid foundation for your information technology (IT) infrastructure:
Built for the Web
Windows Server 2008 comes with Internet Information Services 7.0 (IIS7), a Web server and security-enhanced, easy-to-manage platform for developing and reliably hosting Web applications and services. A major enhancement to the Windows Web platform, IIS7 includes a componentized architecture for greater flexibility and control. IIS7 also provides simplified management, powerful diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities that save time, and comprehensive extensibility.
Internet Information Server IIS7 together with the .NET Framework 3.0 provide a comprehensive platform for building applications that connect users and data, enabling them to visualize, share, and act on information. Additionally, IIS7 plays a central role in unifying Microsoft’s Web platform technologies–ASP.NET, Windows Communication Foundation Web services, and Windows SharePoint Services.
Virtual Server’s Virtual Machine Monitor provides the software infrastructure to create, manage and interact with virtual machines on multiprocessor hardware.
Windows Server virtualization now provides the capability to allocate multiple CPU resources to a single virtual machine and enables virtualization of multithreaded applications.
System Center Virtual Machine Manager focuses on unique requirements of virtual machines and is designed to enable increased physical server utilization, centralized management of virtual machine infrastructure and rapid provisioning of new virtual machines.
Virtualization Built In
Microsoft Windows Server Hyper-V, the next-generation hypervisor-based server virtualization technology, allows you to make the best use of your server hardware investments by consolidating multiple server roles as separate virtual machines running on a single physical machine. You can also efficiently run multiple operating systems–Windows, Linux and others–in parallel on a single server. With virtualization built into the Windows Server 2008 operating system and simple licensing policies, it’s now easier than ever to take advantage of the cost savings of virtualization.
Applications can also be efficiently virtualized using Windows Server 2008 centralized application access technologies. Terminal Services Gateway and Terminal Services RemoteApp allow easy remote access to standard Windows-based programs from anywhere by running them on a terminal server instead of directly on a client computer–without the need for a complicated VPN.
Security
Windows Server 2008 is the most secure Windows Server yet. The operating system has been hardened to protect against failure and several new technologies help prevent unauthorized connections to your networks, servers, data, and user accounts. Network Access Protection (NAP) helps ensure that computers that try to connect to your network comply with your organization’s security policy. Technology integration and several enhancements make Active Directory services a potent unified and integrated Identify and Access (IDA) solution. And Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC) and BitLocker Drive Encryption allow you to more securely deploy your AD database at branch office locations.
A Solid Foundation for Your Business Workloads
Windows Server 2008 provides a solid foundation for all of your server workload and application requirements while being easy to deploy and manage. The all-new Server Manager provides a unified management console that simplifies and streamlines server setup, configuration, and ongoing management. Windows PowerShell, a new command-line shell, enables administrators to automate routine system administration tasks across multiple servers. Windows Deployment Services provides a simplified, secure means of rapidly deploying the operating system via network-based installations. And Windows Server 2008 Failover Clustering wizards, and full IPv6 support plus consolidated management of Network Load Balancing, make high availability easy to implement even by IT generalists.
Finally, the new Server Core installation option of Windows Server 2008 allows for installation of server roles with only the necessary components and subsystems without a graphical user interface. Fewer roles and features means minimizing disk and service footprints while reducing attack surfaces. It also enables your IT staff to specialize according to the server roles they need to support.
Windows Server 2008 Product Overview
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 is the next generation of the Windows Server operating system that helps information technology (IT) professionals maximize control over their infrastructure while providing unprecedented availability and management capabilities, leading to a significantly more secure, reliable, and robust server environment than ever before. Windows Server 2008 delivers new value to organizations by ensuring all users regardless of location are able to get the full complement of services from the network. Windows Server 2008 also provides deep insight into the operating system and diagnostic capabilities to allow administrators to spend more time adding business value.
Windows Server 2008 builds on the success and strengths of the award-winning Windows Server 2003 operating system and on the innovations delivered in Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 R2. However, Windows Server 2008 is far more than a refinement of predecessor operating systems. Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide organizations with the most productive platform for powering applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the datacenter with exciting, valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the base operating system.
Improvements to the Windows Server Operating System
In addition to new functionality, Windows Server 2008 provides powerful improvements to the base operating system over Windows Server 2003. Notable improvements include those to networking, advanced security features, remote application access, centralized server role management, performance and reliability monitoring tools, failover clustering, deployment, and the file system. These improvements and many others help organizations maximize the flexibility, availability, and control of their servers.
Benefits of Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 delivers benefits in four primary areas:
Web
Windows Server 2008 gives you the ability to deliver rich web-based experiences efficiently and effectively, with improved administration and diagnostics, development and application tools, and lower infrastructure costs.
Simplified Web server management with Internet Information Services 7.0, which is a powerful Web platform for applications and services. This modular platform provides a simplified, task-based management interface, greater cross-site control, security enhancements, and integrated health management for Web services.
Task based interface simplifies common management Web server tasks.
Cross-site copy allows you to easily copy Web site settings across multiple Web servers without additional configuration.
Delegated administration of applications and sites so you can give control to different parts of the Web server to those who need it.
Deliver flexible and comprehensive applications that connect users to each other and their data, enabling them to visualize, share, and act on information.
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