ArticlesDid you know? The global server virtualization software market is set to reach a valuation of $13.68 billion by 2028.
Clearly, this projection highlights the industry’s rapid adoption of server virtualization and it’s critical role in supporting new-age businesses.
The standout feature of server virtualization lies in it’s ability to run multiple operating systems on a single server. Which means, operating systems like Windows and Linux can run on the same physical server.
Explore our comprehensive list of 12 proven advantages of server virtualization. With this article, CTOs and decision-makers will gain valuable insights for a wider perspective.
While going through all these advantages of server virtualization – security, cost savings, and physical space savings can truly make a significant difference in a company.
One of the most sought-after advantages of server virtualization is in legacy data centers. Yes, server virtualization allows business-critical legacy applications to run on modern infrastructure.
Virtual machines can emulate older hardware in a modern environment. By decoupling the aging hardware, organizations can negate the risks associated with it and still run their important applications without depending on the outdated servers.
Server virtualization removes the need for multiple physical servers by enabling one physical server to host several virtual machines which can run multiple operating systems and applications on it.
This efficient server utilization process does away with the necessity of maintaining multiple physical servers. As a result, businesses can save significantly and reallocate funds to other critical areas. Data by Infrascale shows that virtualization cuts hardware and maintenance costs by up to 50%.
Again, a smaller number of physical servers drastically reduces power consumption and cooling costs. According to VMware reports, virtualization-driven server consolidation can reduce energy costs by as much as 80%.
Siemens’ “The True Cost of Downtime 2024” report reveals that unplanned downtime drains 11% of annual revenues from the top 500 companies, amounting to a whopping $1.4 trillion – up from $864 billion in previous years. In fact, in the automotive sector, each hour of downtime costs an astounding $2.3 million, equating to $600 per second.
But thanks to server virtualization, business can minimize the chances of downtime. Virtualization optimizes resource use by pooling CPU, memory, and storage across several physical servers. This approach ensures resilience. Therefore, if one server fails, servers are swiftly reallocated from one machine to another – minimizing the disruption caused by hardware failures.
In case of a disaster, virtual servers can be set up quickly at a remote site. This keeps business operations running without delay.
Virtualization is a core technology behind cloud-based services, making disaster recovery affordable for businesses of any size. Recovery happens in minutes, not hours, boosting system reliability and ensuring business continuity.
Deploying new servers is swift and efficient, minimizing time investment. According to Spiceworks, Virtual machines complete one-time server management tasks 50-90% faster than physical servers.
Again, when a server’s role ends, it can be easily decommissioned. This agility optimizes overall productivity. In fact, 73% of small to midsize businesses report spending less time on routine administrative tasks after adopting virtualization.
The Flexera 2024 State of the Cloud Report reveals a significant trend: 89% of organizations are now adopting multi-cloud strategies for handling their workloads.
So, if cloud migration is your next step, server virtualization can be a game-changer. Virtualized servers simplify cloud migration. They eliminate hardware dependencies and compatibility concerns, streamlining the transition process.
Server virtualization lets you set up and deploy systems in minutes. You can duplicate a virtual machine and skip the time and expense of purchasing and installing a physical server.
In the past, setting up a physical server was far more time-consuming. You had to place an order, wait for the delivery, and then spend hours installing the operating system and applications before the server could be used. Physical servers also required racks, cables, and extra space as the infrastructure grew.
Virtualization removes these obstacles. It offers a straightforward way for businesses to handle growing data needs and stay competitive.
By consolidating multiple virtual machines, server virtualization reduces large server racks, extensive cabling, and additional infrastructure. In addition, fewer physical servers mean less cooling and power consumption. This creates more available floor space and reduces operational costs.
No matter your business size or available on-premise space, reallocating resources and saving space are always beneficial.
Virtualization platforms provide a single interface for managing multiple virtual servers. Administrators can monitor and control everything in one place. This streamlines IT operations and eliminates the need for several management tools, saving both time and effort.
Server sprawl occurs when data centers keep adding servers for new applications while older ones handle smaller tasks or sit idle. Prior to server virtualization, IT teams frequently over-allocated resources to handle demand spikes. This approach resulted in wasted capacity.
Server virtualization changes this by allowing multiple virtual servers to run on a single physical server. By reducing hardware needs, it eliminates the necessity for over-provisioning.
One of the important business advantages of server virtualization is that there is no need to make updates, and installations for each server.
Additionally, virtualization optimizes resource allocation. As there is no need for multiple hardware, enterprises can simplify budget planning.
Overall, server virtualization allows businesses to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine tasks.
Virtual servers simplify app development by allowing quick creation, deployment, and removal as needed. Developers can set up testing environments that mimic production servers without disrupting live operations.
As previously discussed, one of the notable advantages of server virtualization lies in its use within legacy data centers. And when talking about that, Stromasys stands out as a leading provider of innovative cross-platform virtualization solutions.
Stromasys’ engineering team has meticulously designed Charon emulator that virtualizes a range of legacy servers like SPARC, VAX, PA-RISC, PDP and AlphaServers. This way, organizations can remove their outdated legacy hardware and still run mission-critical applications.
This process is completed in just a few days with no code changes – zero migration risks involved. Looking to minimize IT spending on outdated hardware while keeping your business applications running efficiently?
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