Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2009/12/02/server_virtualisation/

Server Virtualisation for Hard-Nosed People

What’s the Real ROI on Virtualisation?

By Phil Mitchell

Posted in Software, 2nd December 2009 10:20 GMT

Webcast The cost-benefits of virtualisation for discrete workloads is reasonably clear and straightforward to articulate. But where can organisations look, and how do the economics stack up, once virtualisation takes more of a centre-stage role in the data centre?

On 9 December at 2pm we’ll be asking just this question and many more to a live webcast panel of experts, including Jon Collins from Freeform Dynamics and Neil Sanderson from Microsoft.

The panel will explore the consideration of bringing server virtualisation into a mainstream production context and debate the benefits of server virtualisation beyond just ‘saving money’. In particular we will examine the challenges and risks when virtualisation moves beyond non-critical workloads, and look at guidance on which workloads offer more significant cost-benefits.

In particular we’ll be looking at:

· Design and architecture questions such as capacity planning, workload selection and testing

· Management challenges including provisioning and resource allocation, monitoring and fault resolution

· Data protection and backups, security and risk mitigation, HA and DR

· Helpdesk/support desk implications and responses, broader operational processes and use of best practice

That’s a lot to get through, but each area is vital to the business case for production scale virtualisation. The free event is hosted by our own inimitable Tim Phillips, who will be fielding your questions to the panel – so if you have any specific issues or needs, let us know.

Those of you that attend should leave with a much clearer understanding of the rationale and business case for production-scale virtualisation. We hope to be interesting and educational, so make sure you come stacked with your challenges so you can get some expert advice, absolutely free.

You can sign up right here. ®