WHITE PAPERBusiness Value of Virtualization: Realizing the Benefits of Integrated Solutions
Sponsored by: HPAl Gillen Tim Grieser Randy PerryJuly 2008
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The use of static x86 server configurations is quickly becoming an outdated conceptwith the introduction of modern solutions based on blade architectures, which canoffer both intelligent configuration and management and the ability to performphysical-to-virtual migration to promote uptime and efficient resource usage.When combined with the quickly maturing x86 hypervisor technologies available froma variety of solution providers, the synergy of blade architectures and virtualizationoffers customers the ability to dramatically increase utilization of their server investments, boost uptime, provide a more resilient and available infrastructure, androll out new infrastructure and services more quickly.But equally important, these same technologies can also lower costs both directly,through an immediate reduction in power and cooling costs, and indirectly (but notwith a lesser impact), through a reduction in IT administrative costs associated withserver hardware and the layers of infrastructure software management.IDC analysis of the potential to lower IT costs by moving to a virtualized infrastructurefinds that the savings can be significant:
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Adopting a simple virtualized infrastructure can result in a reduction of up to 35%of total annual server costs per user compared with an unvirtualized static x86server configuration (see the Appendix for included cost items). Described in thisIDC White Paper as "basic virtualization," this starting point of virtualization refersto basic x86 server consolidation using virtualization software. It is commonlyapplied to test and development environments, along with at least someproduction use.
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Our research finds that the use of more advanced virtualization technology, alongwith increasingly sophisticated systems management tools that manage both theguest environments and the virtualization engines themselves, can further extendthe benefits of virtualization significantly.
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An optimally managed or "advanced virtualization" infrastructure, described as aninfrastructure that includes penetration of virtualized servers of more than 25%,storage virtualization, and the use of systems management tools, can deliver atotal reduction of up to 52% per user per year.
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