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Oct 18 2011
Data Center

Secrets of Server Virtualization

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Wylie Wong is a freelance journalist who specializes in business, technology and sports. He is a regular contributor to the CDW family of technology magazines.

The benefits of server virtualization, which include increased flexibility and lower energy consumption, have made it a popular and growing trend in state and local government IT.

StateTech asked a few server virtualization veterans for their advice on deployments and they shared the following tips for a smooth rollout:

  • Make sure the hardware is uniform. Virtualization is easier to implement if you have consistent server hardware, such as the same processors. That way, you don’t have to worry about compatibility if you move a virtual machine from one host to another, says Pao Vang, a project leader at Milwaukee’s information and technology management division.
  • Choose the right operating system and software licensing plan. Be aware of different licensing schemes to make sure you get the right type of license. For example, Northbrook, Ill.’s IT Manager Richard Kramer upgraded his Windows server licensing to the Data Center edition. One Data Center license allows him to run unlimited virtual machines, but it’s licensed according to how many physical CPUs are in each host.
  • Test virtualization software. When choosing virtualization software, take advantage of free trials. This allows IT departments to compare and contrast each vendor and choose the one that’s best for them, says Paulding County (Ga.) IT Manager Erin McDowell.

To learn more about how state and local governments are deploying server virtualization solutions, read our feature story "Virtualization Serves Up Savings."

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