Virtualisation – The evolution of data storage
Virtualisation is the buzzword in data storage right now. But it’s easy to forget how different things were just 10 years ago. Plagued by server sprawl, businesses were left with ineffective server systems that could never maximise their potential.
Each new project required another server and with the average X 86 servers running at 15% CPU, this 1:1 relationship was as inefficient as it was uneconomic. Which is where virtualisation comes in.
Every time an application outgrew its hardware or migration to another platform was needed, the process had to start all over again. It was a dark age for data storage, but fast-forward a decade and virtualisation has changed the way we handle data.
A long history of virtualisation
It’s been a long journey to the modern day of data centres and cloud computing – one that started back in 1964. The big names that have brought us here include IBM, Microsoft and VMWare, while Dell has positioned itself to offer the best technologies from each of the big names in storage solutions.
From the IBM CP-40 that started it all to the birth of a cloud computing revolution, it’s been a long journey and we’re finally at a point where data storage is about drive our needs.
Why all the fuss about virtualisation?
Data is the key commodity in a digital age and businesses of all size need to handle an increasingly complex system of data. So while demands increase, budgets are as tight as ever and the need for cost-effective solutions and better performance are greater than ever.
Modern virtualisation makes data storage more affordable in terms of initial costs, but it also reduces expenses down the road. By using fewer servers, virtualisation produces less heat build-up, reduces the cost of hardware and uses a safer infrastructure.
You’re looking at a more powerful, yet greener and far more reliable system. One that costs less to install and can save you money on a long-term basis. Meanwhile you hold on to freedom when it comes to software with no vendor lock-in.
Software freedom with no vendor lock-in
Virtualisation is about more than servers and data centres – it’s about the flexibility and freedom to get the most from your IT environment. This freedom is important to businesses as their IT requirements change and the leading names in data hardware know this. We’ve already mentioned how Dell has established itself with the major software vendors – which allow firms to avoid vendor lock-in.
Dell works with Microsoft, VMWare, Red Hat and a number of other leading vendors in the industry so business owners can choose the best package for them. There’s no obligation to stick with Microsoft or any other vendor – meaning you can pick and choose the right solution for your needs, and if your requirements change over time, you keep the freedom to switch individual vendors to suit your business as it grows.
