Configuring virtualised servers are one the biggest challenges IT has to face when deploying a virtualised infrastructure.
This is the view of Chris Norton, VMware regional director for southern Africa. He will provide an overview of the private, public, and hybrid cloud options at the ITWeb Virtualisation and Cloud Computing conference on 21 and 22 July, to be held at The Forum, in Bryanston.
The conference will feature tech experts who will address the challenges surrounding cloud computing and virtualisation within a local context.
Norton says: “There are a few nuances to the virtual landscape. The one that probably catches most people out is that a badly configured physical machine will still be a badly configured machine in a virtual environment if you simply convert it and do not rebuild it.”
According to Norton, the biggest trend in virtualisation is desktop virtualisation, followed closely by aggregation and automation technologies and security.
Norton points out that virtualisation has proven itself a fundamentally better architecture than physical servers.
“It drives consolidation but also adds significant technology benefits to businesses of all sizes, which enables previously unobtainable levels of redundancy, flexibility, agility as well as control,” he explains.
“Experienced engineers should always be used when deploying a virtual infrastructure and they need to have knowledge of all component technology as well,” Norton adds. “This will ensure a fully functional deployment, as virtualisation can touch every aspect of a physical deployment.”
Gartner forecasts that by 2012, 20% of businesses will own no IT assets. The majority of businesses will instead be turning towards an IT environment of on-demand computing, which is expected to result in cost reductions and greater flexibility in responding to changing market conditions.
According to Citrix, the South African virtualisation market is expected to grow in spend by 18.9% this year.
This is an increase from 3.7% in 2009. A recent Citrix survey found that around 48% of respondents claim they will adopt virtualisation technologies within 12 months, with that percentage increasing to 64% within 18 months.
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