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Server virtualization ain't all that...

Immature headline for immature technology?

Mini Poll If you listen to a lot of the vendors, server virtualisation is now pretty mainstream, and the impression you get is that it’s just a case of getting on with it - if you haven’t done so already. But how realistic is this?

This is unlikely that the technology is that mature when you consider that less than 10 per cent of the world’s servers are virtualised, according to the usual number crunchers. Whether or not this is strictly accurate, it’s probably that while some organisations have gone to town virtualising everything in sight, many others have yet to move in this direction or are still at the start of their virtualisation journey.

Whatever camp you fall into, we want to hear your thoughts, both on the progress you have made and some of the practicalities you have encountered or anticipate along the way. So if the ‘V’ word is one that has entered your world in recent months and years, and you have a few minutes, please take a crack our mini-poll below. We'll get the findings back to you in a few days.

READER POLL

Where are you up to in terms of server virtualisation in relation to the following?

  No deployment
1

2

3

4
Extensive deployment
5
In general:
Critical workloads
Non critical workloads
And for specific applications:
Packaged applications (ERP, CRM, Supply Chain, etc)
Custom or in-house developed line of business applications
Externally facing web applications
Business intelligence/data warehousing systems
Collaboration, workflow and document management
Email systems
Print / other peripheral activities

When planning and preparing for server virtualisation, how much emphasis did you or will you place on the following?

  No condideration
1

2

3

4
High emphasis
5
Building the business case for investment
Finding or acquiring the necessary skills and experience
Dealing with a mix of operating systems and OS versions
Selecting which virtualisation technology to use
Executing the implementation (installation, migration, configuration, etc)
Managing the virtualised environment
Other - please state

How much have you encountered or do you anticipate challenges to do with the following when implementing server virtualisation?

  Not an issue
1

2

3

4
Major challenge
5
Building the business case for investment
Finding or acquiring the necessary skills and experience
Dealing with a mix of operating systems and OS versions
Selecting which virtualisation technology to use
Executing the implementation (installation, migration, configuration, etc)
Managing the virtualised environment
Other - please state

BEFORE YOU GO

Which of the following best describes the organisation you work in? (please tick the first that applies)

Educational establishment
Public Sector (non education)
IT products or services vendor
Company with more than 5000 employees
Company with 250 to 4999 employees
Company with 50 to 249 employees
Company with 10 to 49 employees
Company with less than 10 employees
None of the above - please specify

Which of the following best describes your role?

Business management
Business professional
General IT management
Management of development/integration
Management of operations function
Systems architect or designer
Developer
Operations specialist
Other - please specify

Which of the following best sums up the attitude to IT in your organisation?

An important contributor of business value
A positive enabler of operational efficiency
A necessary but burdensome cost
A complete waste of money

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